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Disappointment of the week with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Simmons, Smithfield, EC1
EC1
EC1M 6HR
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 3½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Simmons
What was originally the Red Cow has an interesting history, for this is a pub which has an odyssey dating back to the end of the 18th century, rebuilt in 1871 only to shut in 1942, undoubtedly as a result of the Government closing the adjacent Smithfield meat market due to it being a very obvious target for the Luftwaffe; it reopened in 1946 and was renamed the Smithfield Tavern in 1952, probably to distinguish it from the [Old] Red Cow, almost opposite on Long Lane. The only clue as to its original identity are the two gilded cows’ head effigies to the left and right of the fascia; the rare Bass/Charrington sign bearing the former name of the Smithfield Tavern has also been retained.
A fine history and that’s about it, for nothing of the original pub’s interior remains. There’s a modern boarded floor, a bar with mirrors and a multitude of booze bottles to the rear, with metal shaded lamps with filament bulbs over the bar; there are more such bulbs in jam jars hanging over tables which are autographed with customers’ signatures (a Simmons’ touch) and all featuring cocktail menus and tulips in bottles, studded banquettes or drinking ledges to the periphery, all tall furniture with a multitude of stool samples. Walls are clad with a panoply of tiling styles; it’s a bit like drinking in a box of Liquorice Allsorts (see website). There’s also some sort of Polynesian totem pole, looming over a stout bamboo clad DJs’ lectern, both lending an air of Hawaii Five-O to the proceedings. On high, there’s a large mirror mosaic encrusted rotating skull, spangly light playing off surrounding surfaces. There’s a pink non-descript thing with décor comprising items of sporting utensils fixed to walls, along with a stuffed swordfish, added to which there are models of Victorian hot air balloons and dirigibles glued to the ceiling. A drinking ledge offered customers the chance to relive their youth by playing Super Mario on a c. 1990 Super Nintendo console, which pre-dated the average age of the attendant customer by a good dozen years; aural entertainment came courtesy of loud (c)rap music playing over the stereo, all to the strong smell of furniture polish.
There’s no real ale of course just fizz, me opting for a half of Camden Pale at £2.90 a half, served by a very friendly and enthusiastic barman.
If you like naff, chintzy cocktail bars and are too young to remember the Spice Girls then this place may appeal; otherwise, the Fox & Anchor is next door.
On 5th July 2022
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Komakino . left this review about Simmons
Now part of the Simmons chain, so cocktail-heavy, although a couple of keg offerings from Camden in their Pale Ale and Hells Lager. (Interestingly enough, the old Smithfield Tavern sign stills hangs up outside) I entered at around 4:30pm on a weekday when the room was illuminated by coloured lighting hitting a revolving skull-shaped glitterball. Some interesting upcycled kitsch decor, some of which bordered on the Atomic Burger-esque. A half of the Camden Pale was £2.70 for a half. The Fox & Anchor and the Flatiron-shaped Beer Hawk opposite are better bets and this might only be worth the visit if you like quirky interiors
On 30th January 2020
- rating: 2
[User has posted 1075 recommendations about 1075 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Smithfield Tavern
Nice original wooden frontage.Not overly impressed with the interior nor the loud music. Still the pint of St Peters -bitter was good.
On 13th October 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about The Smithfield Tavern
A few doors down from The Fox and Anchor is The Smithfield Tavern, a longish single room pub that stretches back quite a way inside and hence is much roomier than it immediately appears from the outside.
The pub sign and the trademark green tinged leaded windows tell us that this was a former Charringtons pub, as does the mahogany bar back. Much woodwork, fine chandeliers and a burgundy ceiling create quite a homely traditional feel, which is not compromised too much by the inevitable modern touches such as several sofas and flowers on the tables in champagne bottles.
The pub holds film nights on Monday evenings and classics such as the Ladykillers have recently been screened. Live jazz is on Tuesdays.
A sandwich board on the pavement outside was advertising a happy hour between 4 and 7 pm, when all ale was £ 2 per pint. Unfortunately, my recent visit fell outside those times and I had to pay £ 3.40p for a rather moderate pint of Doom Bar, served in a Bombardier branded glass. Jennings Cumberland Ale was also on. I didn't detect much, if any, commitment or interest in real ale.
I found this to be a pleasant, if rather average, pub and not one that's crying out for a re-visit.
On 7th October 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]