Sam Smiths

I used to frequent the Dover Castle, W1, when I worked in the area. Nice pub, despite the fact that you always smelt like an ashtray on leaving the building.

Cheap prices were always a draw. However, beer quality varied wildly, depending on the cellarmanship skills of the latest South African bar manager (they seemed to be on a six-month rotation).

Mind you, sometimes the air was so thick with cigarette smoke you couldn't possibly have tasted what you were drinking anyway.

d.

Yes, but it has the effect of making their pubs more appealing - in general - to those who prefer to drink in a quieter atmosphere.

Well, yes, you have an interest in the subject. But pubs that have live music generally only have it for a few hours a week, and virtually never at lunchtimes. And if I and my friends were looking for a quiet drink we wouldn't want to sit in a pub with live music however good it was.

My local Sams has just been refurbished. It's now sporting placards advising the clientele that Sams sell no "media advertised" drinks of any kind, thus enabling them to keep the prices down. OBB was GBP 1.27 a pint. Still tasted like tapwater though.

Mike Roebuck06/08/2006 17:21

Oh goody. That should liven things up a bit then...

CR :>/