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Detail Pages
Duke of Argyll, Soho, W1
W1
W1F 0RY
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Moby Duck left this review about Duke of Argyll
The interior is very well done though obviously far from original. No cask but all the usual Sams keg beers. It is what it is and I felt quite comfortable sat here for half an hour.
On 21st November 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Duke of Argyll
A late 19th century rebuild, this has clearly been subject to a modern/Victorian makeover by Sam Smith’s and probably post-2013, judging by an earlier review and on CAMRA’s list of pubs of Outstanding Conversions and Restorations (me neither).
The wood is all modern, but the details are terrifically ornate, with etched and cut-glass infill panels, to match the etched and cut-glass windows. The wallpaper is rather Puginesque, burgundy with gold details and period-style Victorian glass and brass lighting. Customers would be hard to categorise, as the place was virtually empty, when other pubs were doing a strong trade.
Sadly, no alternatives to OBB and not even on cask either, tasting like very cold tea and at £2.35 a half too.
I’m not a massive fan of brand-new pubs, Sam Smith’s beer (especially keg only), so I don’t envisage a return visit.
On 18th October 2021
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Duke of Argyll
Refurbished in 2017 to return it a bit closer to the original plans of 1886, this is a multi-faceted Sam Smith pub with a number of drinking areas, separated off by some wood and glass panel entrances. Off right as you enter are some booths and off left is a drinking section and a separate room behind. Went for a Pure Brewed Lager, which was decent. No cask OBB. Ate in the relaxed lounge upstairs and the burger, whilst hardly an award winner in the offing, was welcome sustenance. A pretty good Sams but a cask OBB would gain it more favour.
On 29th September 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5089 recommendations about 5072 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Duke Of Argyll
This is another Sam Smith’s house without a real ale. This one has none of the internal screenwork that we see often in their London estate, although the ornately decorated ceiling is an attractive feature. There are a couple of slightly raised areas separated from the main bar by balustrades, and are furnished with banquettes and normal tables and chairs. A few tall stools are at ledges around a central pillar and next to the window, but Sam Smith’s doesn’t seem to go in for sofas. Being near to Christmas there are flashing fairy lights and other Christmas tat, but the walls do have some decent quality prints on them. On a wall by the counter there is a large display of foreign banknotes, plus a framed display of coins. The gents toilet is downstairs and the ladies upstairs, so it’s not disabled friendly.
The keg version of Old Brewery Bitter is £1.45 a half, which is cheap (and a beer of this quality should be) by Central London standards. The usual reasonably priced pub grub menu is available – e.g. bangers & mash is £5.95. But I’m afraid that for me the absence of a real ale is a big minus, so I’m unlikely to visit again. But when I frequented this pub in the 70s I recall drinking Watney’s here, so I guess that keg OBB is a big step up.
On 21st December 2013
- rating: 3
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about Duke Of Argyll
Rather dull drab pub with the usual Sam Smith dull drab choice of beers but with a new one LIGHT MILD 2.8 on keg. Yep dull drab taste.Very quiet even for a Sunday night.
On 20th May 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Duke Of Argyll
Unusually light and airy Sam Smiths pub, just let down (as are so many others) by the ridiculous refusal to serve the cask version of OBB despite clearly having enough custom to make it worthwhile. As usual, had to 'make do' with a pint of Extra Stout (which is actually no great hardship, although the price has rocketed to £3.40). Overall, not a bad option for a quick pint if in the area.
On 3rd June 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Duke Of Argyll
Sam Smiths pub it does exactly what it says on the tin selling their own beers.Food served.
On 1st December 2011
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Duke Of Argyll
Some of the capital's Sam Smith's pubs have such wonderful interiors that they can take your mind off of the uninspiring beer on offer. Unfortunately, despite being a fairly bright and clean little pub, this place doesn't really fall into that category.
The pub is a single, split level room with plenty of seating and a good deal of space to stand around the bar. The decor is fairly low-key, with some nice features on the wall behind the bar, but not too much else of interest. The pub is located close to a couple of theatres, so our quiet Saturday afternoon drink soon found itself in a fairly crowded space as theatre goers boosted trade for an hour or two.
The beers were, of course, Sam Smith's only and all were on draught, so my pint of OBB was creamy and too cold, but you only pay a couple of quid for a pint, so it seems almost pointless moaning about it. The staff were very nice and helped advise a friend what to drink given that he was unfamiliar with SS beers (including giving him a taster before he bought a pint).
I can't really complain about this place, but it felt a little generic and unless you're a Sam Smith's fan, it's not really worth going out of your way for.
On 20th October 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]