The Roebuck Inn - JD Wetherspoon

You walk into this Victorian building on St James's Street and forget for a moment that you're in a Wetherspoons. The high ceilings and period features give it more character than most 'Spoons deserve, though the carpet pattern still screams chain pub. It's perfectly positioned for pre-theatre drinks or when you need somewhere reliable that won't fleece you. The usual crowd of students, office workers, and dedicated day-drinkers creates a proper pub atmosphere that somehow works despite the corporate overlay. You'll get your £3 pint and decent enough breakfast without any pretension, which is exactly what you want sometimes. It's not trying to be anything other than what it is – dependable, cheap, and surprisingly pleasant given the postcode.