Back of Smyths Pub, Haddington Rd., Dublin 4. This is the rear entrance to Smyths, its main entrance being on Haddington Rd. This entrance leads to an odd smoking area which appears to be an inside room, complete with 'vintage' photos on the wall and a roof, albeit with a few gaps. I don't think it's legal as a smoking area any more. It leads into the lounge which is a fairly generic design with plasma screens for sports or, failing that Classic FM TV - I'm not a big fan of the lounge. Take a sharp right turn before you get to the bar, however and you'll find your way into the bar, a much more old-school room, usually with a bunch of regulars watching horse-racing and generally being layabouts (a rare enough sight in Dublin 4!). Great pints of Guinness are served here in basic surroundings and the place is all the better for that. They've resisted the temptation to modernise the place and despite its posh D4 surroundings, still retains a spit-and-sawdust atmosphere. Smokers would be better off out the front on the Haddington Rd. terrace instead of the dingy and possibly illegal back room. Smyths is well worth a visit, especially if you fancy a really good pint of Guinness, but stick to the bar!

Smyth Hotel in Tribeca nearing completion. I walk past here constantly, so I try to always snap an updated image. Love the lighting; makes it look shiny and polished.