The Argyll Arms, W1

A traditional Nicholson’s pub just off of Regent Street, it consists of a couple of bars downstairs and a dining area upstairs, and although very busy outside on a recent early evening visit, it was surprisingly quiet inside with no problems getting a seat. Décor wise it’s quite traditional with a dark red embossed ceiling, somewhat higher at the rear then the front, where the embossing also extends to the upper part of the walls. Flooring is wood strip and there are some wooden partitions with etched glass as well as some large etched mirrors. The front bar is divided in to two with a partition that extends up to the bar counter, creating a small booth at the rear. Red button bank banquette seating is around much of the perimeter as well as an old beer barrel that acted as a handy table for resting your pint on. The menu offered the usual extensive choice found in Nicholson’s pubs with a number of “pub grub” options for around a tenner or so as well as a selection of burgers and pies. Although we didn’t eat on this occasion, we have eaten in other of their outlets previously and always found it to be decent enough. Beers on tap were Conqueror and Knight of the Garter from the Windsor & Eton Brewery, Nicholson’s Pale Ale, London Pride and something that I noted as Haka Roo, although I can’t find any reference to this. Truman’s Runner was apparently coming soon, whilst the solitary cider was Mortimer’s Orchard which makes a pleasant change from the usual dross around these parts.

Update - July 2015 Pub is as previously described below by me in 2009, and my overall conclusion is still very much the same. Several recent visits have found the beer to be in reasonable nick, but short measure is very much the norm here and, for the first time that I can ever ever remember in all my years of pub going, I had to ask for a top up to my top up. And, just to darken my mood even further, on a warm and sunny afternoon, I saw my first sighting of 2015 Christmas menus ( yes in mid July !). All rather depressing to be honest - you get the impression that no one is really making any effort here and, at the risk of being accused of being politically incorrect, there's never anybody else in the pub, on either side of the bar, who appears capable of speaking English to a reasonable standard. Still, this is London, I suppose Original review - December 2009 Impressive Victorian showpiece pub situated by Oxford Circus Tube Station and the London Palladium. The well preserved interior earns the pub a place in CAMRA's National Inventory of Unspoilt Interiors. The pub entrance leads to an impressive mirror-lined corridor with, on the right, a series of compartmentalized small rooms with etched glass screens. At the end of the corridor is a spacious room, mainly used for dining, and a staircase leading up to the Palladium Bar and Dining Room. At the foot of this staircase, a framed potted history of the pub on the wall tells us that the interior was remodelled in 1895, when the partitions were added in order to separate the various social classes. Of note is the front room is a large Bass mirror. My recent early Friday morning visit found the pub mainly dominated by tourists having either breakfast or mid morning coffee. Despite the cold weather, several hardy souls were sitting outside in front of the pub in pedestrianised Argyll Street. It's a Nicholsons pub and, on my visit, beers on were London Pride, TT Landlord, GK IPA, plus TT Golden Best and Rudolphs Reward from Sheps, the latter two as guests. The TT Landlord - � 2.90p - was moderate. Because of its location, the Argyll Arms is a popular meeting up point and is invariably crowded. Nevertheless, I wouldn't discourage you from calling in for a swift one if you haven't been here before - but I doubt you'd want to stay all evening.

Decorative Nicholsons house just off Oxford Street. Lots of mirrors and artex ceiling with use of wooden snob screens around. 4 real ales, disappointing choice though.

Always a favorite to call in when were in the oxford circus area. The Argyll is part of The Nicholson Chain which most of their houses are very good we was lucky enough to get a seat outside and watch the world go bye for an hour will always call in when in London