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Detail Pages
Simmons, Soho, W1
W1
W1D 4AE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 4½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about Simmons
As the Carlisle Arms, this pub dates from the mid-18th century but was rebuilt in 1878, renamed Soho Rocks around 2014, to become yet another branch of Simmons in 2017, though a Courage sign bracket, denuded of its cockerel remains. And I can’t remember if I ever came here before.
It’s all a bit girlie on the outside with a combination of salmon pink and powder blue paint, then a tiny interior: bare boarded, a bar to the right with white ceramic tiles, modern mixed furniture, white tiled or patterned wallpaper, white louver blinds, skull glitterball and a swivelling pink disco lighting array, blindingly bright when you get a beam right in the eye with ‘normal’ lighting amounting to bulbs (off) suspended in jam jars; all that seems to remain of the original interior is a dark wood former bar canopy to the rear. There’s décor, but it amounts to a shelf on high displaying granny table lamps, thereafter framed drinks’ deals; there’s a photo booth too, along with some neon signs and despite customers being few in number, uncleared tables, repurposed from former school use; customers were girls drinking cocktails, still audible above the loud mood music.
No cask of course and a dull keg selection comprising Estrella, Pravha, Camden Hells and Pale at £3.50 a half, served in a plastic cup.
There’s much to enjoy here if like cocktails and your name is Barbie; if not, you won’t.
On 23rd July 2023
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1986 recommendations about 1952 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Soho Rocks Bar
This simple, single room Soho pub is one of a number of rock/metal themed bars in the area and one of the few to serve real ale. Operating under two names - Soho Rocks and the pub's traditional name, The Carlisle Arms - the pub has one bare boarded room with the servery on the back wall. A shallow U-shaped counter stands in front of a reasonably attractive bar back which has sadly been partially obscured by a huge TV screen which was showing muted wrestling. To the left are some high stools along a ledge under the front windows as well as a nice tiled fireplace, whilst over to the right there are four tables served by standard chairs. Lots of patrons had forsaken these environs to instead stand on the pavement outside in the light drizzle. Plastic glasses were offered to those preferring that option, but with plenty of seating still available, I stayed inside and took in some of the metal themed artefacts on show. This included a couple of framed flying V guitars from metal acts such as Dragonforce, plus some Motorhead posters, gig posters and flyers and a few incongruous sets of antlers. Rock music was playing at a surprisingly quiet level although this seemed like a pretty quiet mid-week evening for the pub and I suspect there are times when they are more than happy to turn the volume up to 11.
There were three ales available - McEwan's IPA, Fullers London Pride and Wells Bombardier Burning Gold. A fairly friendly goth barmaid served me a pint of the IPA which was well kept, making this a rare instance of a rock/metal bar with decent ale.
This place isn't really up to much if you're after a straight pub experience, but does offer more for those with an interest in heavy metal, although it could be argued that there are pubs in the local area that do this much better. I would consider a return for a decent pint or two in preparation for a gig in one of the nearby live music venues, but imagine the place will leave most pub goers cold.
On 2nd August 2015
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Soho Rocks Bar
The Carlisle Arms has been rebranded as the Soho Rocks Bar since my last visit about a year ago, but not a lot has changed (apart from the music, which has got louder but less annoying...). It retains quite an attractive façade, but the interior is plainly furnished with just a few bits and pieces of rock memorabilia. It also retains three handpumps, with Pride, Bombardier Burning Gold and McEwan's IPA (£3.80, and in good condition) available on this visit.
On 26th April 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Carlisle Arms
This small pub is in the heart of Soho but doesn’t really feature in the must visit pub itinery for the typical West End visitor.
It looks enticing enough with its traditional frontage and mass of overhead blooms. Inside it is a small and featureless single room, plain and basic with an open bar and paltry furnishings.
A flat screen hovers over the bar and in one corner, festooned with West end ephemera, a DJ was dishing out a somewhat eclectic and at times interesting mix of toons albeit this was only 6.30 in the evening and he had an audience of about 5 including the bar staff. At least twice as many were drinking on the street outside which says something.
There are 3 ales which won’t excite too many people, London Pride, Courage Directors and Bombardier, the latter 2 on new fangled cunningly disguised pulls that initially look like keg beer engines so are easily overlooked in favour of the Pride which is on a traditional style hand pump. The Pride was decent enough quality and at £3.40 about par for the area.
It’s not really a place I would particularly aim for in the future given that there are far more interesting pubs around with better beers elections but it was easy to get a seat and sometimes that counts for a lot in Soho.
On 22nd September 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Carlisle Arms
This is a very small pub in the heart of Soho. There were a couple of real ales – Bombardier and London Pride. I had the Pride which was pretty average, although at the reasonable price of £2.80 a pint. There’s not a lot to say about the pub – a couple or so tables on the right as you go in the door; otherwise seating comprises stools either at the bar or at ledges round the sides. A fire on the go in the fireplace on the left was quite welcome on a cold February day; a few theatre posters on the back wall and a one-armed bandit just about says it all. It’s a typical Soho pub and OK for a swift pint if you happen to be passing, but I still prefer the character of the Dog and Duck just down the road.
On 6th February 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]