In a hectic part of town, this quiet pub keeps it real with good cold beer and simple food.

The Venue
Located on a small road a short walk from Regent Street, the Chequers Tavern has the look of tradition. The pub has a tiny alley running alongside it, where you can reach a small patio area that doubles up as a neighbouring car park. There are also seats out front for smokers.

Once inside, the darkness sets in but the gloom is a managed one, lit with the dull glow of up-lighting wall lamps and a sprinkling of fruit machines. The interior appears to have been kept in the same style for years, the waxy red of the ceiling is a particularly fine one and the low bar means the bar staff are seemingly more accessible. The Chequers Tavern only outdoes itself by defeating its top trump of copper pots and china plate decorations with a sea of beer mats smothered across the wall behind the bar - the proof that a hobby adopted by teenage boys can be accepted in adult society.

The Atmosphere
What the Chequers Tavern lacks in light, it makes up for with ambiance. It’s a quiet and cosy tavern that trades on its apparent easygoing nature. The clientele is mainly formed of office types, escaping for hour long holidays during the day and returning in the evening to become part of the after work group. The occasional strays float in and out but its position away from the main shopping streets isn’t conducive to attracting numbers, but that's the beauty of it.

The Food
There are plenty of small tables to eat at, with some well placed for an intimate dinner. But the Chequers Tavern isn’t really that sort of place, unless a five pound fish and chip supper is your idea of the way to the heart. It will satisfy your need for a solid meal as it follows the herd with dishes like sausage and mash, filled jacket potatoes and pie of the day. Prices are reasonable with dishes under a tenner and there is always a roast of the day to choose from, too.

The Drink
In the dark of the tavern wine doesn’t seem such a popular choice. There is, however, a range available by the glass or the bottle. Ale is important here and guest casks sometimes rotate around the main selection of London Pride, Bombardier and Deuchars. On draught there is Fosters, Heineken and Kronenbourg.

The Last Word
The pleasant atmosphere and lack of noise makes the Chequers Tavern the type of pub you really need occasionally, especially when lost in the crazed jungle of Central London.

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