Red Lion is bigger than you think - Pubs and Bars - Going Out - Evening Standard
       

Red Lion is bigger than you think

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The Red Lion is a fine old oak panelled pub hidden behind Carnaby Street. Despite a small frontage, it is deceptively large with three bars in total, including one upstairs. Our personal preference is for the tiny front bar which sports a real open fire - we saw a couple of coal buckets so we assume it's in use during colder days.

It seems to attract a fair few younger media types, but perhaps due to its slightly hidden location it is easier to find a seat here than other nearby places. It serves the usual Sam Smith's range of fayre but no-one seems to object and there's a pretty jolly atmosphere.

A word of warning however: watch out for the dartboard - not because it is such a rare sight in Soho these days - but because of its potentially hazardous position next to the bar; if you're unlucky, a double scotch could take on a different meaning altogether.

CLIENTELE: media heavy after work crowd, wandering shoppers, tourists
NEAREST STATION: Oxford Circus
FEATURES: real ales, function room available, traditional pub games, quiz night Monday

The Red Lion
14 Kingly Street, W1B 5PR

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