The Phoenix

You'll find yourself on Palace Street, just behind Victoria station, pushing through into a pub that feels like it's been doing exactly this for decades and has no plans to change. The Phoenix pulls in everyone from office workers escaping their desks to regulars who've claimed their spots at the bar, and there's something reassuring about that mix. It's got real ales on tap, decent food that won't break the bank, and the kind of no-fuss atmosphere where you can actually hear yourself think—or shout across a table if that's what you're after.