BrewDog Seven Dials, WC2

There was just Old Speckled Hen and Ruddles Bitter on, neither of which do much for me I’m afraid (but that’s just my taste). This is a typical run of the mill West End pub, with mainly tall tables/stools around the sides as furnishings. The bar back looks a good piece of furniture, but otherwise it doesn’t really have anything to recommend it. It did have the England v Holland game on the other night though, which is why I dropped in as I was passing. I would say that, being smack bang on the busy Cambridge Circus, it gets enough passing trade from the tourist market to make it a viable operational despite its lack of character.

Fine pub but no good if you are in a hurry. I've only managed to have a few pints here as it's usually heaving, no matter what time of day or night. More than once I've given up waiting at the bar to be served and gone elsewhere - my life isn't long enough to waste in bars without a drink! Average.

Saw the England v Trinidad match in here. Not much seating but my spot by the bar in front of the decent sized plasma TV enabled me to watch the match and get served easily (and very efficiently given the number of people inside). Rather standard beers (the usual suspects - Pride, Adnams, Bombardier etc) - prices about average for the area. Not changed much since the refurb - remains a rather straight forward and typical West End pub but the large picture windows enable you to get a good view of the (busy) world outside on the circus. The landlord is a character (I remember him from my occasional pint in the Lyric (now sadly demised). He may not serve you if you are carrying a copy of the Sun! A great night (eventually) due to the football but a bit more mundane on normal nights. 15 March 2006 Was closed for refurbishment when I walked past a couple of days ago.