http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos <b>The Chandos</b><br />London, 29 St. Martins Lane, WC2N 4ER, United Kingdom en http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/trustedplaces.comaPlacePic['name']}.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1w3d88
Review by rich42uk

Rating: 4.00
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...than if you're in the centre of London and struggling for a half-decent place for a cheeky pint than to go here! Whilst there are many places locally that could beat it in terms of a straight comparison, The Chandos is still worth it for a couple of reasons...

Firstly, it's dead easy to find being on the NE corner of Trafalgar Square opposite Charing Cross Post Office & just along from the Coliseum so if you're meeting mates it's a good central point to start from. Secondly, the Opera Room upstairs (provided you get there early) is very comfy with large sofas and cosy snugs. Above all though (and in sharp relief to the nearby drinking barns in Leicester Square), The Chandos is a Sam Smith pub which means there's always something interesting to drink and because it's brewed and sold by the same firm, there's no mark-up and so becomes pretty much the only place in WC2 where a round for three people can come in for under a fiver... With that in mind, there are no "brands" behind the bar so those seeking a pint of Stella will be disappointed (is that such a bad thing?).

The only downside is that, being in such a central location, it gets busier than Mumbai Central at rush-hour and can be frustrating to navigate. The staff are the usual central London mix of gap-yearers on minimum wage and don't care about good service and the proliferation of tourists and their lack of basic pub etiquette may drive some to distraction. For all that though, there's a lot more right than there is wrong!]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:05:49 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1w3d88190611555 rich42uk 51.50932915978 -0.12811333851947 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1c2498
Review by lenalouise

Rating: 3.00
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Great little place to go for cheap pints in central. Generally very crowded after 5pm though.]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:38:59 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1c24981288840480 lenalouise 51.50932915978 -0.12811333851947 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1b64n8
Review by lva

Rating: 4.00
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Really good cheap beer, lively atmosphere, and friendly staff. Only real downside is that it can get a bit crowded. I'm very fond of the Chandos.]]> Fri, 24 Aug 2007 17:48:42 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1b64n81670019679 lva 51.50932915978 -0.12811333851947 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/128247
Review by Maley

Rating: 3.00
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Cheap, smoky and cheerful. Bit of a cheap boozer oasis, but better samuel smith boozers like The Crown.]]> Tue, 03 Apr 2007 16:36:55 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1282471594712002 Maley 51.50932915978 -0.12811333851947 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/120228
Review by AmberMango69

Rating: 4.00
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Cracking meeting place. Sam Smith's so a pint for under £2 in Central London. Can't go wrong. Upstairs is more chilled and relaxing. Always busy, but worth dealing with the crowds...]]> Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:25:00 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1202281087618185 AmberMango69 51.50932915978 -0.12811333851947 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/121218
Review by Thayer

Rating: 3.00
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Good for a pint on the way home, if like me home is via Charing Cross!

Good beers, and not too pricey, however I feel it's too busy unless I was already quite squiffy or incredibly early I'd avoid it.]]> Tue, 03 Apr 2007 13:52:30 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1212181345030048 Thayer 51.50932915978 -0.12811333851947 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/122208
Review by lucky23

Rating: 3.00
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Nice Sam Smith's boozer. Not as good as most Sam Smith's places but great central location and plenty of room. Recommend a pint of Ayinger :-)]]> Tue, 03 Apr 2007 13:49:15 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1222081353667299 lucky23 51.50932915978 -0.12811333851947 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1182v7
Review by Rakeye

Rating: 4.00
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The Chandos is a London institution!

Cheep Sam Smith's beer and really friendly vibe mean this place is packed in the early evening with an eclectic crowd of drinkers, theatre goers, tourists and workers.

Downstairs is traditional old man's boozer, while upstairs almost feels like your in a sitting room with plenty of couches and space to stand when it's busy. Always worth popping in for a £1.98 pint of Alpine Lager!]]> Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:20:25 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1182v71705550858 Rakeye 51.50932915978 -0.12811333851947 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1z91l7
Review by flashboy

Rating: 4.00
Tags:
Large, two-floored Sam Smiths boozer right on the corner of Trafalgar Square - so a prime meet-up venue. As you'd expect from the location, it can get very busy very quickly; it fills up with theatre-goers from the West End, politicos from Whitehall, tourists from the Square and just about anybody else mysteriously drawn to Sam Smith's magical charms.

But go there off peak hours, and it's a fine place - good layout that maximises space, friendly staff, and the standard Sam Smiths cheep beer goodness. Food's decent, if not exactly inspiring. For best results, try to get one of the booths downstairs - on a lazy afternoon, when the sunlight shines in through the stained-glass windows, the effect can be really rather lovely.]]> Sat, 31 Mar 2007 15:21:47 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32g8z/the-chandos/1z91l7554528067 flashboy 51.50932915978 -0.12811333851947