The Goat Tavern is keeping the dream alive along with the other well hidden traditional old boozers in the area surrounding New Bond Street.

The Venue
A dark facade on a dimly lit street; if this weren’t one of the most expensive and exclusive shopping districts in London things would be more spooky than hooky. The simple sign featuring a Goat swings in the wind and clues you up on the pub’s whereabouts as you peer down the side street.

Inside, the narrow pub space is sparse and tables are at a premium. As you enter the Goat Tavern, you’ll see seating to your left but if that’s full then it’s up the stairs for you where there is extra furniture. The floor is tiled with chequered squares, which act as an introduction before your feet hit the dark carpet that covers the rest of the space. The look is clean but not modern and the presence of brewery mirrors and signs make sure that the fact that you’re in an old fashioned pub isn’t lost on you. A big screen TV has been hoisted up in the back corner and regularly shows sport.

The Atmosphere
If it’s not the shops of nearby Dover Street and New Bond Street that provide the smart clientele, then it’s the even more exclusive offices that reside above them. That said, the predominantly male customers seem to have rapport with the bar staff, which gives the Goat Tavern a more natural feel than some of the bigger venues in the area. Lunchtimes and evenings are more personal than a trip to a soulless bar that can’t offer the kind of dim surroundings and close noisiness that a pub can.

There isn’t a large pavement outside the pub but in the evening it has its own posse that rotates throughout the night, snatching drags and puffing out smoky guffaws into the sky like signals for others to come. A lot of standing room inside means a good atmosphere that lets you be as much a part of it as you choose.

The Food
The Goat Tavern doesn’t cater for expensive tastes but the food isn’t a huge reason to visit. The menu is reasonable, with some more alternative takes on pub grub. The camembert and caramelised onion confit looks good and at £4 roasted vegetables and hummus is good value. Mains include dishes like sausage and mash and pie of the day. If you’re ravenous then the jumbo fish and chips could become the biggest portion you’ve ever had (£9).

The Drink
The wine here is simple but there is enough choice to keep the crowd happy and prices start at about £13.50 a bottle. The draught beer, along with the ale, is much more important. As well as old favourites from the cask like London Pride (£2.50 a pint), there is a choice on tap of Kronenbourg, Fosters, Stella and Becks Vier.

The Last Word
The Goat Tavern has no real drawbacks as typical pubs go and even its petite size adds to the atmosphere, making it well worth a stop off.

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