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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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The Spice of Life, W1
W1
W1D 5AN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about The Spice of Life
Visiting late on a midweek evening, I was surprised to find this open plan, split level, single room pub near Leicester Square operating more like a lare night bar than a pub thanks to loud music, low-level lighting, minimal seating and a boozed up clientele. Inside, you find a spacious bare boarded interior with the bar on the upper level and most of the seating in the marginally lower space to the front. The bar has a typical dark wood counter and a smart bar back with modern features such as tidy shelving pillars, blue glazed tiles and a triangular pediment. A large, panelled pillar stands opposite and has some etched glass mirrors and a clock, and is about the only thing breaking up the space within. There's a banquette to one side and high tables and stools elsewhere, whilst in the lower space you can find lots of button backed banquettes around the perimeter with chairs in support. Traditional features are thin on the ground, but I noted some nice leaded upper windows with colourful panes that put me in mind of those in the Chandos near Trafalgar Square. I spotted a few unused TV screens around the room which were out of favour thanks to the loud music being played, and it appeared that some customers were emerging from a basement venue which apparently hosts live music.
As a McMullen's pub, the ale range was uninspiring, with three handpulls offering AK, IPA and a rebadged house beer called Spice of Life. I had a couple of pints of the AK, which was alright, before calling it a night. The staff were variously cheerful and disinterested, but service was quick enough.
I must've liked something about this place, as I stayed for a second pint, which I rarely do, but I'm not too sure why, as the beer was moderate at best, the music was deafening and the interior is nothing to write home about. It had a bit of life to it, which is a polite way of saying that most people seemed to be smashed, but I can't really recommend it much beyond that.
Date of visit - 2nd May 2024
On 24th August 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3350 recommendations about 3350 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Spice of Life
With a pub history on this site going back to the late 17th century, this is a late 19th century pub, originally part of the George & Thirteen Cantons, the current name in place since 1986. This was a first into this McMullen’s house; I had worked in the area over 30 years ago and we never came here, probably because we thought that, due to the name, it was an Indian restaurant.
The interior is essentially a modern recreation of a bygone Victorian pub, with etched glass mirrors, leaded stained glass clerestory windows, some carved wood and a bit of tiling, with typical glass ‘n’ brass lighting; a nod to the modern is the suspended ceiling, presumably to cover the ductwork for the aircon. Customers were probably on a night out, but the acoustics in here really don’t do it for me; the sound of conversation and quite loud music was rather unrestful.
Hearteningly, all four pumps were in operation. I forgot to note the other three, but I had an excellent half of their Best, at a very attractive – especially given the area – £2.35.
This is a rare Soho outlet selling a selection of independent real ales, a world away from the Greene King/Sam Smith’s stranglehold in the area. However, it’s not the best pub experience, so I’d rather go to the Lyric.
On 27th October 2021
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2208 recommendations about 2165 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Spice of Life
I've been to the pub a few times over the years, and must admit I quite like the place despite not being a particular fan of McMullens beers (although they are always well kept here) and the interior having lost almost all original character. Despite being in one of the busiest parts of central London, the staff in the main bar are usually efficient. Five handpumps, offering a 'house' pale ale, AK, Country and IPA plus Rivertown Atlas (£4.55) as a guest on my latest visit. There is also a basement bar that hosts frequent (and mostly free) live music events.
On 7th July 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Spice Of Life
Comfortable looking pub with nice wood clad columns inset with mirror.Does anyone like Mcmullens beer. My County bitter was dull.
On 24th January 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Spice Of Life
Largish McMullens corner pub on two levels. Upstairs is a comfortable lounge bar, at least until it gets busy when it becomes a crowded melee. There is a bar there with 4 McMullen's ales on, while downstairs is a wooden-floored cellar bar which provides a platform for live music acts including, dangerously, a Monday evening 'live mic' session which attracts Bjork-wannabees, Elvis impersonators and the deluded. That's a psychological condition, though on reflection it would make a good name for a band. There was also an Eastern European narcoleptic this time – I can think of no other reason for his being able to sleep through the caterwauling that amused everyone else. The staff were friendly but inefficient, mostly young and inexperienced. I had a couple of pints of McMullen Cask which was OK but pretty standard fare. Worth it for a laugh and I'd be happy to include on a crawl.
On 27th November 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3516 recommendations about 3480 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
BobOs . left this review about The Spice Of Life
A large Victorian street-corner pub that has sadly had its heart ripped out internally - what remains has little to commend it. This also applies to the service as I waited for ages to get served and, after several latecomers got served before me, thought 'sod it' and walked out.
On 27th February 2013
- rating: 3
[User has posted 370 recommendations about 355 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Spice Of Life
Like so many London pubs in this area, this pub dates from the golden age of Victorian pub design. Originally called The Cantons, the original name survives on a metal “flagpole” at the top of the building, held by a Gryphon, or some other similar heraldic beast. It’s a shame that the interior doesn’t retain anything of its Victorian heritage. Inside it’s now a single room pub, with fairly modern and characterless furnishings, including some of the most hideous covered banquette seating that I’ve seen. It’s one of only a couple of McMullen’s pubs that I know of in town. They had two ales on: Country Bitter and something called McMullen’s Cask Ale. I found the service to be slow and unwelcoming. The one lady serving was preparing an ice bucket while I was (the only person) waiting to be served, for which purpose she had to walk past me several times. Fair enough – she was preparing drinks for customers who were there before me, but I think it would have been nice had she acknowledged my presence. Not worth going out of your way to visit, unless you’re keen to sample the rarely seen McMullen’s ales.
On 4th February 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Spice Of Life
I spent Friday night in this pub standing at the bar with a large group of friends and it was very enjoyable. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable and the bouncers were very amiable. The place was very busy but there was never a long wait to be served and the barman remembered the 12 drink order every time we required another round.
It was a bit pricey, but you come to expect that in Central London. The available lagers were your bog standard Fosters, Krony and Heineken with a Strongbow thrown in. I'm not a bitter drinker, but I did make note of the AK, Country Best and Winter Ale.
There is a room downstairs that had a group playing some music, but as far as I could see there weren't many people in there and I think there was a charge to go in, so I didn't.
If I'm in the area I'll probably pop in for a few jars, but I wouldn't make a special trip.
On 14th February 2007
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5965 recommendations about 5931 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Spice Of Life
One of the few MacMullen pubs in London.Can get very busy and smokey.Usual range of Macs beers on.
On 10th November 2006
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Spice Of Life
Pleasant enough pub but it has a bit of a plastic feel about it and gets very busy. You could almost imagine you were in a Wetherspoons but the “Spice” is actually owned by McMullens brewery which at least means that some unusual beers are on offer and at reasonable prices considering where the pub is. The main area of the pub is spacious with several tables although they get full very early. There is a raised stripped pine floor area with some imaginative tiling where the bar is situated. Service is very good – I was acknowledged by 2 different bar staff while they were busy serving other people. There is a false ceiling with built in lights and extractor fan outlets that contrasts with the chandeliers hanging either side from the original ceiling. Food is basic but looked fairly good when I saw it being brought out. There is a Wide screen TV but it is not really a pub geared for watching TV.
Downstairs is a live music bar that hosted some big name punk bands back in the 70's but these days things are a bit more relaxed. Well worth checking out.
On 12th January 2006
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]