Royal George, Soho, WC2

Set back in a side alley despite its Charing Cross Road address, this pub is easily recognisable by its garish pink sign. A pretty basic bar in a 70's office block, with an even more basic basement below, and the only real 'attraction' being a regular disco. It does however at least have two handpumps and Cask Marque accreditation; one is only Doom Bar but the other offered St Austell Proper Cracker in good condition.

Lively pub on the edge of Soho, more for Brits than tourists but not exactly a local. Bar snacks, banter from the staff, a choice of ales, it's all a bit theme-parkish. On the plus side, the two ales on were not the usual fare, so I had a pint of Purity's Warlord, a new one on me, which was OK but tasted much weaker than its 6.5ABV tag suggests and was a really enjoyable pint. I'd probably come back to try the beers but it's not the best pub in the area.