The Shaston Arms, Soho, W1

A clever conceit here in that this seemingly ye olde pub is actually a new shop conversion dating from 2000. The ceiling is low with a boarded floor, mushroom Anaglypta to the dado then white walls to the burgundy Anaglypta ceiling. There are booths to the walls with studded upholstery, much dark wood with etched mirror panels. The remaining furniture is conventional and there are many framed prints to the walls; lighting is Victorian-style fake candle sconces. The crowd was mixed and probably office workers too, the interior being rammed, me standing by the open door. Ales: one pump unused, Tangle Foot and Firsty Ferret, both clips reversed early evening; a half of Guinness set me back £2.75 and was fine. With the large crowds, this wasn’t a great experience, but the lack of ale in a brewery’s pub and early evening too, isn’t a great advert for the place, so I’m unlikely to return.

Small multi-areaed Hall & Woodhouse pub, just a couple of beers on, Pickled Partridge and Tanglefoot the latter at a pricey £2.45 a half.Typical touristy stuff.

Compact Hall & Woodhouse pub with many different sections. 3 real ales and keg beers served.