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Poll for date of Halifax crawl. with ROBCamra
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by paulof horsham
Submitted on Saturday, 10th December 2022
With picture contributions to 4602 other pubs
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Detail Pages
Simmons, Smithfield, EC1
EC1
EC1M 6HR
Served areas
Reviews of Simmons (Average Rating: 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 1074 recommendations about 1074 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]
View more reviews of Simmons (4)
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- Official site of Simmons - www.simmonsbar.co.uk
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Simmons - whatpub.com
City Thameslink, 0.45 miles, 8 min walk (show)
Moorgate, 0.74 miles, 14 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 04 February 2020 by ROB Camra
- Beer Garden : No last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 04 February 2020 by ROB Camra
- Car Park : No last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- Function Room : Yes last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- Hot Food : No last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- Jukebox : No last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- Karaoke : Yes - Private karaoke room. - last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- Live Music : No last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 04 February 2020 by ROB Camra
- Pinball : No last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- Pool Table : No last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- Quiz Night : No last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
- Real Ale : No last updated 04 February 2020 by ROB Camra
- Real Cider : No last updated 04 February 2020 by ROB Camra
- Wheelchair Access : No - WCs downstairs. - last updated 05 July 2022 by Tris C
