Spread Eagle, Mayfair, W1

Presumably as a result of bombing, this was rebuilt in 1955 in the base of an office block, on the site of the White Horse, dating from 1788. It’s as described below, with two large TVs showing the football and thus completely dominating the small room. Ales: Greene King beers only, so a quick half of Neck Oil for £3.35 and I was off…

Official site of Spread Eagle - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Official site of Spread Eagle - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Greene King pub with one room and bar to the right. Four hand pumps, two of which were reversed and the other two weak in strength. TV to rear.

A traditional Taylor Walker pub just off of Oxford Street, it’s a welcome oasis away from the hustle and bustle a few yards away and has a few picnic benches outside as well. The pub is split over two levels with the upper floor having somewhat less character and being used mainly as an overflow, although there is also a small bar counter up here. Décor wise it’s quite traditional with a dark red embossed ceiling whilst the flooring at the front of the pub is mostly wood strip with some black and white chequered tiles in front of the bar counter, and a raised area up a step or two at the rear was carpeted. This is the cosiest part of the pub with bookcase style wallpaper on the walls, a disused fire-place at the rear and button back red banquette seating. A number of black and white photographs on the walls showed various London scenes from the 60’s. A couple of plasma screens were showing a sports channel (one was mounted in a gold picture frame!), but the volume was off so this was not too intrusive. A few flags hanging in the window and above the bar suggest that the forthcoming world cup rugby will be screened. The menu offered an extensive selection of pub grub dishes such as ham egg & chips, fish & chips, sausage & mash and hunter’s chicken as well as a number of pies and burgers. Most of the main courses appeared to be priced in the £10 - £12 range which is probably not unreasonable for the area, and I lost count of the number of times the barmaid had to explain the concept of ordering at the bar to the tourists who wandered in, as well as the difference between garden and mushy peas. Beers on tap were TEA and England’s Glory from Hogsback along with Taylor Walker 1730 and Greene King IPA. The solitary cider was Aspall’s Suffolk which seems a bit of a missed opportunity – considering how many of the punters are likely to have never tried cider before, why have something on that will put them off for life once they’ve tasted it?

This is very small Taylor Walker branded pub just a few feet from Oxford St. Typically for the brand there is lots of dark wood around the place, and tall tables/stools all occupied with shoppers taking a break from the hell of Oxford St chomping away at the pub grub that Taylor Walker pubs always have available. There are some aluminium tables and chairs outside. A pub like this doesn't really have to try too hard as there is a steady flood of transient customers from Oxford St. For me it's just a bit too close to the aforementioned shopping nightmare to be very comfortable, but nevertheless it does have a valuable purpose in providing an eating and drinking venue for beleagured shoppers.