The Toucan
19 Carlisle Street Soho London W1D 3BY
This legendary Irish boozer just off Soho Square is a veritable temple to all things Guinness. Besides churning out the black stuff, there's also a decent selection of largers, ciders and various spirits. Foodwise, there's some surprisingly sophisticated traditional favourites such as lunchtime Irish Stew served with soda bread, and even Rossmore oysters. It's also great in the summer, when hordes of thirsty punters spill out on to the street to enjoy a tipple i the sunshine. The basement bar is an oasis of calm at weekends – the perfect escape from the breakdown-inducing experiencing of shopping on Oxford Street. Plus, none other than Jimi Hendrix played there. They also show sport on the telly (providing it's on terrestrial).