Lyceum Tavern, WC2

A Sam Smith's pub on The Strand which has, despite its location, managed to keep its pub ambiance and character. The main bar is quite cramped, but the small snugs help and create an intimate atmosphere, although the one we sat in smelled strongly of disinfectant. Hot food was available in the upstairs bar, although soup was on offer downstairs. Four handpumps but only 3 of them working, all with OBB on draft. There were also the usual range of Smith's keg beers and a few in bottles. The staff were unusually pleasant and helpful, and the beer was both well-kept and cheap for the area. A decent bolthole, well worth a return visit.

Sam smiths pub with quite a plain interior by their standards. Cask ale served. Didn't visit the dining area upstairs.

An attractive looking pub on two levels just around the corner of the theatre of the same name, lacking the "Tavern" obviously. The ground floor has the bar running along the middle of one side and with a series of very small booths opposite, not unlike those in The Chandos. Wood panelled walls, leaded glass to the booth screens, décor includes the routine black and white photos of the area. The room opens out towards the rear where there is a fairly rare, for Central London, dartboard. The upstairs room has another bar which was not open at the time on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon. Samuel Smiths with the cask version of OBB on, still at £2.90, well below the local average. Meals are served, I imagine aimed at the pre-theatre crowd, but not much was happening on this score on Monday. It's quite a nice pub but clearly the available beer prevents it from stepping up to the higher levels, however I enjoyed my pint here, after walking from near St Paul's Cathedral and finding many pubs shut on a Bank Holiday.

Randomness Guide to London - Lyceum entry

Randomness Guide to London - Lyceum entry