The Cardinal

AlexWoods

It's a Sam Smith's pub, innit. Needs little more explanation, but that would make this a very dull review indeed.

The Cardinal must be one of Sam's larger houses, and I have been to much worse ones. There is a vast "dining" area tucked behind a pretty sizeable four-sided bar.

The food is...well. OK. The beer, likewise. It can sometimes take some time to get served, it gets very busy on Thursday and Friday evenings, but it you like Old Brewery or a "nice" refreshing pint of Alpine Lager then what's to stop you.

And, hell, a pint for less than £2?! Who cares what the pub is like?!

thamshere

The Cardinal is a Sam Smiths pub so the beer's cheap and reliable, as is the service, decor and clientele. It's got a very traditional feel to it with a separate dining area, lots of wood panelling proper pub food and a set of locals hanging out all day, nursing there £2 pints.

That's the big upside of a Sam Smiths. I've no idea how they've done it, but the amount they charge for a pint here is stunning.

It's generally quiet and, depsite being right next to some large offices, is less liable to be overrun by after-work drinkers.

FallenAngel

I love this pub. It is great. It's a traditional proper English pub right next to Westminster Cathedral (hence the name). The beer is very good and ridiculously inexpensive especially for central London. Because it is out of the way, it is usually quiet. I have not eaten here yet but would not mind betting it is worth a try.
It is probably not everyone's cup of tea (or should that be tipple of choice) but if you want modern and hip go somewhere else. If you want excellent value in a proper setting, with this pub you can't go wrong.

Hugo

This pub ticks all the boxes as a tip-top local pub: quiet, always a seat, no music, great beer, a sense of community and fun characters to watch. I even spotted a chap drinking from his usual pewter mug (presumably in his usual seat too).

This is a Samuel Smith pub (nothing to do with John Smiths, despite the rumours) so everything is furnished with their traditional brand and quality. The Oatmeal Stout is well worth trying...close your eyes and it feels like slipping back into a bygone era.

Pub food looks pretty basic but traditional. Will report back on that one.

If its an old fashioned local you are after then this hits the spot. This is an endangered species.