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Historical version 19 of Pillars Of Hercules, W1D 4DF (view current version)

Good Beer Guide pub in Soho, on the corner of Greek Street and Manette Street, run by the Faucet Inn pub company.

It's fairly small so can get quite crowded post-work, though it empties out significantly later on; Kake was here with a group on a Monday night and upon leaving at 9pm the place was almost empty. John arrived at 9pm on a Wednesday evening, and there was a group of people near the door but several empty tables at the back. There are seating areas at the front and rear, both up a few steps, and a few tables by the door and behind the bar, on the same level as the bar.

Ales available on a May 2007 visit were Adnam's Broadside (£2.75/pint) and Regatta, Wells Bombardier, Deuchars IPA, and Theakston's Old Peculier. The same ales were still being offered in April 2008, along with Young's Bitter. They also have Edelweiss Weissbier on tap. In June 2008, there was also Adnam's East Green Carbon Neutral on offer, along with usuals. In June 2009, the range included Regatta and Wainwright; there was also a cider on tap (Adnam's?).

Food is served noon-4pm and 5pm-9pm every day. The selection is fairly small and traditional, but competitively priced, with the menu stressing the quality of the ingredients. Snacks and starters include soup of the day (£3.25), garlic bread (£1.55), nachos (£4.50), onion rings (£2) and chips (£2). Main courses include sausages of the day served with mash (£6) and pie of the day served with your choice of mash and gravy or chips and salad (£5.25). Burgers are £5-6, sandwiches are £4, and desserts (spotted dick or bread and butter pudding) are £3. We've not tried any of the food since the change of landlord, so no opinions on the quality.

There have been concerns voiced on the London.pm mailing list about the excessive volume of the music, but on a Monday visit in May 2007 it wasn't too bad; so maybe they've actually been listening to all the people asking if it could be turned down. There has in the past been an eccentric DJ on Wednesday evenings, but John was here on a Wednesday evening (June 2009), and there was no sign of a DJ, and likewise on Ewan's August 2009 visit. The music was quite loud, but the bar staff were very friendly, and they were happy to turn it down when we asked. The pub doesn't have a TV.

Accessibility: It isn't very accessible, really. Very little room to manoeuvre, and the toilets are down a narrow staircase (although there is a handrail).

See also (there was a change of landlord somewhere around early 2007, so reviews written prior to this may be inaccurate):

Last visited by Ewan and others, 15 October 2009. Food prices taken from menu in pub, 21 May 2007. Food times taken from blackboard in pub, 21 May 2007. Opening hours taken from the 2007 Good Beer Guide.
OS X co-ord: 529788 OS Y co-ord: 181164 (Latitude: 51.513990 Longitude: -0.129372)
This is version 19 (as of 2009-10-21 11:14:28). View current version. List all versions.