Simmons, Soho, W1

As the Carlisle Arms, this pub dates from the mid-18th century but was rebuilt in 1878, renamed Soho Rocks around 2014, to become yet another branch of Simmons in 2017, though a Courage sign bracket, denuded of its cockerel remains. And I can’t remember if I ever came here before. It’s all a bit girlie on the outside with a combination of salmon pink and powder blue paint, then a tiny interior: bare boarded, a bar to the right with white ceramic tiles, modern mixed furniture, white tiled or patterned wallpaper, white louver blinds, skull glitterball and a swivelling pink disco lighting array, blindingly bright when you get a beam right in the eye with ‘normal’ lighting amounting to bulbs (off) suspended in jam jars; all that seems to remain of the original interior is a dark wood former bar canopy to the rear. There’s décor, but it amounts to a shelf on high displaying granny table lamps, thereafter framed drinks’ deals; there’s a photo booth too, along with some neon signs and despite customers being few in number, uncleared tables, repurposed from former school use; customers were girls drinking cocktails, still audible above the loud mood music. No cask of course and a dull keg selection comprising Estrella, Pravha, Camden Hells and Pale at £3.50 a half, served in a plastic cup. There’s much to enjoy here if like cocktails and your name is Barbie; if not, you won’t.

Official site of Simmons - www.simmonsbar.co.uk

Official site of Simmons - www.simmonsbar.co.uk

This simple, single room Soho pub is one of a number of rock/metal themed bars in the area and one of the few to serve real ale. Operating under two names - Soho Rocks and the pub's traditional name, The Carlisle Arms - the pub has one bare boarded room with the servery on the back wall. A shallow U-shaped counter stands in front of a reasonably attractive bar back which has sadly been partially obscured by a huge TV screen which was showing muted wrestling. To the left are some high stools along a ledge under the front windows as well as a nice tiled fireplace, whilst over to the right there are four tables served by standard chairs. Lots of patrons had forsaken these environs to instead stand on the pavement outside in the light drizzle. Plastic glasses were offered to those preferring that option, but with plenty of seating still available, I stayed inside and took in some of the metal themed artefacts on show. This included a couple of framed flying V guitars from metal acts such as Dragonforce, plus some Motorhead posters, gig posters and flyers and a few incongruous sets of antlers. Rock music was playing at a surprisingly quiet level although this seemed like a pretty quiet mid-week evening for the pub and I suspect there are times when they are more than happy to turn the volume up to 11. There were three ales available - McEwan's IPA, Fullers London Pride and Wells Bombardier Burning Gold. A fairly friendly goth barmaid served me a pint of the IPA which was well kept, making this a rare instance of a rock/metal bar with decent ale. This place isn't really up to much if you're after a straight pub experience, but does offer more for those with an interest in heavy metal, although it could be argued that there are pubs in the local area that do this much better. I would consider a return for a decent pint or two in preparation for a gig in one of the nearby live music venues, but imagine the place will leave most pub goers cold.