blacker than the heart of steve's soul
29 May 08, 12:25
Above expectations
no, not really... it is dark in there though. i actually quite like it. some jazz would be nice. oh well. a pint of bitter was only £1.95 which in this day and age is pretty good, yes sir.
Bitter?
21 May 08, 11:29
As expected
If you're a bitter drinker you'll like it ehre, its owned by Sam Smith's making it very popular with CAMRA members, personally not my cup od tea but it seems nice inside.
Groups: horizon
Daniel B.
Dalston
73 reviews
The pubs that keep on giving
28 Sep 07, 09:19
Above expectations
Someone asked me over a pint at a Sam Smith's if they were the new Wetherspoons. "Definitely not," I said. "Yes, they're cheap. The food is cheap, the drinks are cheap, and the decor is...well not cheap but hardy glitzy, but they're definitely not Wetherspoons."
Sam Smith's are fiercely independent. They only sell drinks made at their own brewery and you won't have to endure any RnB.
The Cardinal is located just round the corner of Victoria station, like all Sam Smiths it is complete with Alpine Lager at £1.99, a dart board, and a good crowd.
The joy of Sam Smiths pubs isn't the pub itself, it's the feeling you get when you find a new one, and the satisfaction it gives other people when you say: "there's a Sam Smith's just around the corner."
Groups: Sam Smiths Lovers of London
A pub with a theme and the theme is dark.
21 Aug 07, 14:57
As expected
The Cardinal, hidden behind Westminster Cathedral in Victoria, is a Sam Smith's pub so expect decent bitter, unpronounceable lager and extraordinarily affordable prices. It is also surprisingly quiet for a pub round Victoria way, and this could be down to its lack of light.
Huge windows, possibly 3 metres high, would let natural light flood in were they not almost entirely covered by thick, almost bomb-proof curtains. The pub's lighting is not enough to raise the overall brightness much beyond the level of gloom. In a way, though, this makes it an attractive option as a lunchtime venue (haven't been there in the evening yet) for people who like quiet little pubs that afford a degree of anonymity.
