Simmons, Soho, W1

The Pillars of Hercules is a pub with an attractive looking mock - Tudor exterior. It's a former Wm Younger's house, although, sadly, none of the evidence of that ( eg - patterned leaded windows ) remain. It's now owned by Faucet Inns. In contrast to the exterior, the interior is rather featureless and has a more modernised chainy feel than many Soho pubs. It's a long narrowish bar area, but opens out into a wider space at the back. On the real ale front, 2 beers from each of Thwaites, Adnams and Westerham Breweries were on. The Thwaites Wainwright - at a rather pricey £ 3.50p - was a pleasant pint. The pub is listed in the 2010 CAMRA Good Beer Guide. I found this a rather uninspiring place to be honest, lacking in any real atmosphere, and I'm not putting it down for a re-visit

I guess this is a T&J Bernard pub – at least the outside livery was in the unmistakable T&J Bernard style. There were six handpumps – five were clipped with Adnam’s Bitter and Broadside; Thwaites Wainright; Westerham’s Summer Perle and Finchcock’s Original, with the sixth clipped for Westerham British Bulldog but with a second clip saying that it was not on yet as the pipes are being cleaned. An encouraging sign I would say. The Wainwright was excellent, and so it should be at £3.60 a pint! Food was available (at least during a midweek lunchtime) at typical London pub prices. Sandwiches were £4.75 or £4.95, and main courses at around the £8 - £10 mark. There were a couple of specials on the chalkboard – steak and kidney pie at £8.50, and mixed grill at £10.95. The pub has had a refurbishment since the last time I was in, but it’s structurally unchanged, having apparently been tarted up a bit. As you go in the only door there are a few standard tables and chairs near the door; the bar counter is against the wall on the right, facing a ledge at which there are a handful of high stools. At the back there is a slightly raised, and carpeted, seating area containing a few more tables and chairs. Both the ceiling and the back wall have been painted a dark red, which for me works quite well. There was the inevitable flatscreen TV above the bar, but switched off during my visit, and there were miscellaneous prints and suchlike on the walls. For a smallish pub, the available space has been used quite efficiently, and is what I would call a clean, neat and tidy little pub. It’s really nothing very special as a pub, but the ale selection, although expensive, is worthy of note. There are lots of worse places in Soho, and I wouldn’t object to paying this one a return visit.

Randomness Guide to London - Pillars Of Hercules entry

Randomness Guide to London - Pillars Of Hercules entry

A nicely refurbished traditional pub - tastefully done, wood floor and dark wood tables. Pleasant place for a drink of real ale.

Various theories abound as to the origin of the name, but most point to Greek mythology and stories about Hercules either smashing through the straits of Gibraltar or narrowing them to keep out Atlantic monsters of the deep. Regardless, what we have today is an attractive one bar pub, fairly long narrow room, with the bar to one side in the middle, leaving room opposite only for a drinking shelf plus a few stools. The pub opens out a little to the front and rear where there are a few ordinary tables and chairs. Mainly wooden boarded floors, but a small raised area at the front and another to the rear are carpeted. The back wall is exposed brickwork painted red, the ceiling being red also with a few bunches of grapes moulded on the cornices coloured gold. The bar back has the pub name picked out in large gold letters against a dark red background. The large tv over the bar had the cricket on in the afternoon, volume muted. Six handpumps on the bar, four were on, all serving Westerham beers; 1965, Finchcocks Original, British Bulldog and Audit Ale. One turned round was Thwaites Wainwright, I couldn't see the other one. I liked the pub and its atmosphere even in the afternoon, with a good mix of clientele. I was also surprised, but not disappointed, to find four Westerham beers here. I'll certainly drop by again when nearby.

I have been coming here for the best part of 20 years and never found it quiet enough to bag a seat. Originally built in 1733, the present pub dates from around 1910 and retains several features from this time. There is a good range of beers at reasonable prices and served by efficient staff – you rarely have to wait no matter how busy they are. Food is somewhat limited but you wouldn't come here to eat anyway. The initial seated area inside the door leads to a bit of a bottleneck adjacent to the bar. Beyond is a further small seated area. The stairs to the toilets are reminiscent of a cliff face. Despite the obvious cramped conditions, the atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming. It attracts a mixed bag of customers and is often populated by music fans, the Astoria, Mean Fiddler and Borderline all being within a stones throw. Such is its popularity, there are usually twice as many people drinking outside on the pavement than there are crammed inside the pub. Definitely worth a visit.