The Sun & 13 Cantons, Soho, W1

Opened in 1805 but rebuilt in 1882, now run by Fuller’s but you’d barely know it. I can’t be arsed to describe the interior, as there’s a 360° tour on the website; suffice to say it’s a modern recreation of something vaguely Victorian. The crowds here didn’t make my brief experience pleasant; I couldn’t get to the bar. Oddly for a Fuller’s outlet, there’s no real ale, their only offering being something looking vaguely crafty, the only thing I would have gone for, given the chance, was something on keg from Siren. As getting served was nigh-on impossible, the noise was deafening and I couldn’t see anything I’d want to drink, I left. This place is sandwiched between the Queen’s Head and Old Coffee House, so there’s no incentive to return.

An odd name for a pub, but clearly not a "made-up" modern name as the name is set in stone on the side of the building. Possibly a combination of two very old licences - a Swiss connection perhaps. The main bar area is pretty ghastly - the walls and ceilings are painted a fashionable black, with only tall benches/stools/tables and nowhere comfortable to sit. A separate room at the back is more comfortable with normal tables and chairs, and looks to be a dining area as there was a young bloke hanging around the entrance looking like a waiter. There is a nice old capitalled pillar in the bar area; the bar counter looks inter-war, but the bar back, though in victorian style, is clearly a more modern piece. There were water dispensers, with yellow things (lemons possibly) in them on the counter. Even though this is apparently a Fuller's pub, there's no real ale. A half of Beavertown Neck Oil set me back £3. There were menus on the tables labelled "Donnelly's" which must be the name of the current gastro "residency". It included snacks such as "Rosie's pork pie with piccalilli" at £6.50. Main courses were from 12 (£s presumably) upwards, for some kale salad, and more for things I wouldn't want to eat. One sees these attractive looking old pubs and is tempted into them, but this is not a "pub" to where I'm likely to return.

A foody pub with no real ale.