Red Lion, Soho, W1

Pretty much as BF describes below, very much to the Smiths formula and little to get excited about, the barman was that busy he was reading a book. Luckily I don't mind their Keg Extra Stout but I wouldn't come back for more.

A Sam Smiths pub on busy Kingly Street.Outside tables were popular and I can see why.The interior is typical SS,lots of wood panelling,very traditional,no muzak,screens or machines with a front snug and a larger rear room with bench seating.The interior was very quiet but there was an overpowering smell of industrial cleaner,someone has cleaned with a chemical laden mop but not dried effectively.To make matters worse there is no real ale and just their keg crap.Awful and one to be avoided.

Dating from the late 18th century, I’m not sure if it has been rebuilt or not, but I think it may date from the ‘20s or ‘30s. There’s a small room to the front, but a larger opened out bar to the rear with banquettes to the back wall. It’s almost all panelled in a somewhat Tudor fashion, but is it really new or not? There’s Puginesque paper from the picture rail up to a munge coloured ceiling. Furniture is normal, the floor is boarded and lighting comes from Victorian-style lamps and sconces with at least one stained glass lantern in a corridor. The most interesting feature is the Gothic fireplace. Décor is minimal, just a few framed prints. Customers seemed to be office workers and not many in number, though there were two annoying French tourists at the bar, standing next to one of Sam’s ‘Digital Detox’ signs, shouting into a mobile phone on speaker; the barman did nothing; absolutement incroyable! Ales: nothing real and no OB on keg, which is fine by me as it interferes with my constitution; Sovereign was available but no thanks; a Taddy Lager cost £2.60 a half. This is quite a nice pub and even if it probably is fake, it’s pretty but the lack of real ale means a revisit is unlikely.

Sam’s pub in the heart of touristville so don’t expect a seat most weekdays after 5, as we disocovered. Enter to a corridor, there’s a small atmospheric wood panelled room at the front of the building and a larger, plainer, banquetted room at rear and also a fairly compact upstairs lounge. Old school Sam's decor, comfy and fairly atmospheric. The downstairs bar serves both rooms but only two staff on duty during my visit meant the clever punter orders in the small front room with far smaller queuing. Went for the Stout and Alpine Lager, both of which were enjoyable. No cask OBB to be had here. Also note that those drinking outside (and there are many) get plastic glasses.