John Snow, Soho  

Rather than celebrating the life of the newsreader (Jon) famed for his garish ties, this Victorian pub in the heart of Soho is named after the doctor who established that cholera was a waterborne disease - and nothing to do with vapours or miasma. The site of the original water pump, which was key to his discovery, is marked by a granite kerb slab outside the pub (it's not where the mock water pump is, just down the road). It serves decent cheap pub grub and all the standard Sam Smith's beers. Unfortunately, the drink is served in cheap plastic glasses, even if you stay inside - apparently to avoid the the wrath of the Republic of Westminster. It's the only pub we visited in these parts that did this - why the council appears to have it in for the John Snow, we've no idea - and the heavy-handed eviction tactics at closing time only heaped insult upon injury. What Snow, who was said to be teetotal would make of this, we don't know, but for us the John Snow's no longer the pub we used to enjoy.