A toast to the top 10

It will be a case of "I'm a celebrity, let me in here", as our judging panel begins doing the rounds to decide on the 2004 Evening Standard Pub and Bar of the year.

For the most part we have been looking at venues that have opened or changed significantly within the past year or so. And what a year it has been. The gastrification and gentrification of our pubs roll on relentlessly, bringing restaurant-quality food to the doorsteps of the masses.

The depth and range of new-style bars are proof positive that London remains the global capital of cool. Watch us and weep, New York, Paris and Milan - even the standards of customer service are better in London these days.

The original lists of 10 pubs and 10 bars have been whittled down to five in each category after a public vote and mystery visits by our dedicated team of spies.

The judges

Three-times Oscar winner Sir Tim Rice is once again chairman of the board, and I will be sticking closely by his side. With us are comedian Al Murray, aka The Pub Landlord, former British tennis player and now commentator Annabel Croft, TV presenter Alice Beer and three-time champion jockey Richard Dunwoody. We will be out on the town, visiting each of the finalists and will deliver our verdicts at the end of March but, in the meantime, here are the contestants.