The Prince of Wales is a pub that is average at best, with a mixed crowd of after work drinkers, tourists and theatre goers. The atmosphere is hardly exhilarating but decent enough to warrant a pint or two.

The Venue
The Prince of Wales has retained much of its old fashioned decor to create a traditional venue with stripped wooden floors, antique lighting, and wooden panelling everywhere. Low ceilings teamed with soft antique lighting and dark brown tones make for a cosy environment, but there is nothing overtly British or sharply modern, so it hangs in an awkward in between phase. A few details would bring this pub to life, but instead the only really eye catching thing is a bad carpet choice.

The Atmosphere
The location of this West End pub means it usually has at least a few punters inside, so there’s rarely a feeling of emptiness in the small space. The cool kids of Covent Garden tend to frequent more lively pubs in the area, so the older clientele flock here. The regulars are about as down to earth as West End workers can be and with a few tourists in the mix, the atmosphere stays cheerful and laid back. The friendly staff make the experience of The Prince of Wales more enjoyable, but there’s little buzzing banter to keep the ambience upbeat for long.

The Drink
The Prince of Wales offers punters a good selection of beers and ales to give regulars and tourists a taste of decent mainstream lagers or a proper traditional drink. The wine selection is also impressive for a simple pub, with an international range priced at £12-£21 a bottle.

There’s food available - some of which is typical hearty British food – with a couple of twists thrown in, and there’s enough choice to make sure most customers can have something they fancy.

The Last Word
The Prince of Wales is a pub that needs an injection of character. For now, it has a relatively steady atmosphere that’s reliable for the older pub goer.

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