Another classic pub has transformed itself into a gastropub; is it worth the change?

The Venue
This recently renovated pub cum wine bar is on the busy Tottenham Court Road so it can get rather noisy. It has smartened and poshed itself up since the good old days. What is peculiar about The Mortimer Arms is its shape. At the front, there’s a cosy, homely feel as it’s quite small. The back, however, is spacious and has a more relaxed dining vibe, with three red leather sofas and plenty of chairs and tables.

There are two TVs that show sport, which is in keeping with the old set-up as it was very much a sports pub in its previous life, not the posho wine bar it has turned itself into.

The Atmosphere
Before it was refurbished, The Mortimer Arms was crammed with grumpy old men and hardly any women. Nowadays, you’ll find more in the way of young professionals and females populating the front of the bar, supping on their wine, which is proudly displayed in a cabinet on the wall. The bar staff are fabulous. Even if you haven’t a clue about wine and vaguely describe what your likes and dislikes are, they will find you a wine to your liking and it’ll be damn good and well worth the price. They are always attentive and keen to please.

As with all pubs in this area, on Thursdays and Fridays it is so packed there’s no point going along unless you’ve secured a table from 4pm onwards. Weekends however, are definitely more relaxed. Although you’d expect the music to be jazzy and classical, in keeping with its new wine bar image, it’s actually loud, bassy jungle and reggae, which doesn’t at all fit in with the image it’s hopelessly trying to portray.

The Food
The food at The Mortimer Arms is surprisingly good value and extremely filling. With big hearty portions at low prices, you forget for a moment that it’s a wine bar and remember when it used to be a traditional pub. Dishes include British favourites such as pie with chips, veg and gravy for £4.95, and most popular cuisine, curry with rice chips and naan bread, also £4.95. Great value.

Us Brits love a good sandwich and, fortunately, the Mortimer provides this. Starting at £3.95, you can choose what fillings to have such as: cheese, tuna, beef, ham, and chicken with salad.

The Drink
The wine list at The Mortimer Arms is impressive and extensive, but luckily the bar staff will help you with your choices if you’re not a wine connoisseur. Bottles start at £9.95 or it’s £3.35 for a large glass and £2.50 for a small one. The choices of wine are in different sections according to preference and taste, so for white wines they have light, refreshing and clean; crisp with green fruits; and aromatic, spicy and fragrant. The choices are similar for the reds with soft and juicy; medium bodied with plenty of fruit; and unusual and spicy.

For people who prefer a nice cold beer, there is a wide selection of bottled beers: Peroni, Becks, Stella, Magners, Gaymers, Cobra and Budweiser. On draught there is Old Speckled Hen, London Pride, Strongbow, Kronenberg Cold, and Stella. They also have a small cocktail list with all the favourites: Cosmopolitan, Cuban Mule, and Sea Breeze, all for a steal at £4.50.

The Last Word
An odd place to have a wine bar, but as Fitzrovia becomes more upmarket, the pubs are going to have to follow suit. If you want to try out something new and quite different then pop along here for a drink or three.

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