Argyll Arms
18 Argyll Street Soho London W1F 7TP
There’s been an Argyll Arms on this site since the early 1700s, though the current building dates from the 1860s. It’s barely changed since then, making this every London visitor’s fantasy of what a classic Victorian pub should be – dark, cosy and inviting and tucked away in an unbeatable location just off Oxford Circus. Centred on a huge mahogany bar, the interior holds both an intimate drinking den, divided into booths with the aid of wonderful etched-glass screens and an open dining area, where you can tuck into £5 scrambled-egg breakfasts or £20 fillet-steak dinners. The biggest attraction of all, as it should be, is the beer – top-quality real ales, with staples like London Pride and Cornish Doom Bar but also guest ales such as Moor Confidence from Somerset. It’s family-friendly too.