The Glasshouse Stores, Piccadilly Circus

I love this place. It was here, many years ago, I first tasted the mentalist delights of the D Pils (and suffered the hangover the next day - beware, drink at your own risk).

Not the cosiest of drinking holes but for some no-nonsense cheap drinking fun in the heart of Soho you can't really beat it.

Me and a mate tried drinking all the beers through in one sitting which made us a big hit with the barmaids. We retired without completing, promising to review our tactics and return.... and we will... oh yes we will.

30 Aug 2005 16:36

The Cardinal, Victoria

I used to study at Westminster Uni and live in the halls of residence round the corner from this pub. Needless to say I have many happy memories of the place. Back then it was a Bass pub and entertained a strange mix of drunk students and grey suited men.

I've been there since in it's current Sam Smith's state and am sorry to see that the pool room up stairs is gone. It also seems a lot quieter... no students from the halls anymore.

However, the place looks great with a dark cosy atmosphere. The fact that it is soaked in fuzzy memories and is now a Sam Smiths pub all means it scores points.

30 Aug 2005 15:25

The White Ball, Tiverton

Anyone who has ever had fun in a good pub before will know that this place is off key. I went with friends for some food and sat out in the beer garden on table that can only be described as hygenine problem.

We asked a barmaid to wipe the table down for us. After wiping one corner of the table with a dry tea-towel she announced that the dirt "doesn't come off" and that we should know that the staff "try their best".

The food arrived with impressive irregularity; orders were wrong and plates arrived 20 minutes apart. My scampi with tartar sauce came cold and with the added surprise that they didn't have any tatar sauce. We didn't find this out until we asked.

Overall the staff seem flustered, overworked and unhelpful and the atmosphere had called in sick.

Realising that I have left my coat over the back of the chair would be my only reason for going back. Even then I'd think twice about it.

30 Aug 2005 15:15