If you’re in the Great Portland Street area and you fancy getting away from the busy streets of London, then you could do a lot worse than stepping into Dover Castle for a nice cosy drink.

The Venue
Conveniently positioned down the quiet cobbled Weymouth Mews, just off New Cavendish Street, Dover Castle is a great retreat for those who have been walking around Oxford Circus and fancy a break from the masses. This is your typical traditional pub - a place that hasn’t undergone any recent big budget refurbishments but does just what it says on the tin.

As you step through the door, the bar sits in front of you - slightly offset to the left. On your right is an open room with enough tables to comfortably fit several large groups of hungry visitors. If you walk past the bar, sitting adjacent to the open room is a slightly smaller room set away from the goings on and outlandish behaviour that a bar can sometimes attract – perfect for more intimate gatherings. The beautiful cast iron fire place appears to still be in use and will be sure to keep you warm on those chilly evenings. For the smokers, there is a nice but small open-air area around the back that limits the number of drinkers spilling out onto the street at the front.

The Atmosphere
The dim lighting immediately provides a calm, relaxing and cosy atmosphere, and the scattering of tables put the odds of taking the weight off your feet strongly in your favour. Each table is already set up with a variety of sauces, salt 'n' pepper and a big bottle of vinegar, and everyone's cutlery sits in a mesh beaker in the middle of the table as though you have been expected since early morning. Clearly a popular stop-off for anyone on their lunch break, the atmosphere is upbeat and lively.

The Food
Lunch is served between 12pm and 2.30pm and dinner is between 6pm and 8.30pm. You can expect your usual basic pub grub here at very reasonable prices.

The Drink
What do you fancy? Your favourite lager, a more unusual organic lager, old brewery pale ale, bottled beers, nut brown ale, famous Taddy Porter or oatmeal stout? If it’s just a coca cola that tickles your fancy then bring £1.20, otherwise you’re looking at the £3 mark for a pint – reasonable considering the surrounding area.

The Last Word
Dover Castle is a quaint old pub that offers a nice setting for a drink or some pub grub, great for when you've just spent an eternity playing bumper cars with other shoppers in and around Oxford Circus.

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