The Hercules Pillars, WC2

Official site of the Hercules Pillars - www.herculespillars.co.uk

Official site of the Hercules Pillars - www.herculespillars.co.uk

Set in a dour and featureless modern office block, the “Pillars” is not particularly inviting from the outside. The interior is a medium size single room bar that probably looks bigger than it is due to the abundance of mirror tiles along the walls. The central area is divided in two by a shoulder length wood and glass screen with brass trimmings that stretches between 2 pillars. The bar is more wood and brass and the floors are part tiled, part wood and part carpet. All in all, the interior is that of a traditional pub that has obviously undergone many refurbishments and I would hazard a guess that there are very few original features. There is a plasma screen, games machine, cigarette machine and a separate function room. Behind the bar, 2 busts of Hercules prop up the ceiling and further busts and murals can be found on the opposite wall. The main reason for anyone to come here are the Real Ales – 7 hand-pumps (6 were on during my visit including 2 guest beers). That said £2.71 for a 3.7% Ruddles Best is probably a bit higher than I would expect in the area. The food menu looks OK and they have a separate sausage menu (7 different types). To summarise, the “Pillars” is a rather plastic pub which is fine if you like sausages with your Real Ales.

The barmaid in here was extremely friendly and there are 2 plasma screens for the sports. It would have been nice if they had turned them off or muted them when the match had finished as I hate the bellowing sound of adverts ringing in my ears, especially in a pub. Four ales were off during my visit, Ruddles Best, Old Speckled Hen and Youngs Special were still available along with San Miguel, Fosters, Amstell and Strongbow. This is not a bad pub to be honest, just get there early before the beer runs out!