An independent spirit and great mini rooms are reason enough why a trip to Lyceum Tavern is worth it. However, the drink selection can be a turn on thanks to the very cheap prices and environmental friendly production, or a turn off given the scarce choice.

The Venue
This old-time pub spreads over two floors and is located on the busy Strand. Gifted with enviable mini rooms, complete with a table, benches to sit four, and even a window each just past the entrance door, these are definitely the best place to sit and you should get to Lyceum Tavern early enough to grab one if you want to have a romantic drink or private conversation.

At the back of the ground floor there is a traditional dartboard area, popular with punters, while the large upper floor is furnished with low couches and wooden fixtures. A decent-sized bar on each floor is more than enough to comfortably serve everyone.

The Atmosphere
The crowd reflects the bizarre mix of the Strand: large groups of loud foreign students mixing with Londoners working in the nearby Covent Garden. Do not be deterred by either: Lyceum Tavern tends to be a quiet venue even on Saturday nights. If anything, this pub is a tad more quiet than is desirable, probably due to the particular (restrictive) drink selection. However, if a good chat with friends is what you’re after, this pub is ideal and you won’t have to fight for space.

The Food
Food is not the greatest asset of the Lyceum Tavern, but prices are more than reasonable in this department: the menu is quite limited with a few meals on offer for £6. Expect traditional pub grub like cottage pie, Lancashire hot pot, and Cumberland sausage and mash. Otherwise, you can still choose a sandwich (£3.50-£4).

The Drink
Lyceum Tavern belongs to the fierce, strongly independent Samuel Smith brewery - the oldest brewery in Yorkshire. Their policy is to sell only their beers, so don’t expect to be able to order a Guinness. However, you can drink their Oatmeal Stout or a Teddy Porter, Nut Brown or Winter Welcome Ale, and more. Their ingredients are, wherever possible, fair trade and certified by the Organic Soil Association, and despite the care put into the manufacturing, the prices are still very low since they are kept close to production costs. Draughts are dirt cheap, starting at a light £1.60 and never raising above £2.70, while bottles are just slightly more expensive £2.60-3.50.

Their hardcore philosophy stretches to soft drinks and spirits as well: Lyceum Tavern does not sell any product media advertised. Hence, instead of Coca Cola, you can drink charming Scintilla soft drinks and juices, all served in glass bottles for nature’s sake, while common wines and spirits are mostly provided by Walker and Scotts. Commendable as it is to steer from marketing rules, the selection of the pub remains limited for those used to commercial brands, so take this into account when planning a visit.

The Last Word
Particularly recommended to all the eco and media warriors out there and to anybody with very limited beer money, Lyceum Tavern has its limits whilst retaining some good qualities.

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