With so many interesting venues in London, it’s a shame to find somewhere as uninspiring and soulless as The Slug and Lettuce on Hanover Street. What it lacks in imagination it makes up for with lots of customers who, one can only assume, are there for the extensive menu and abundant drinks selection.

The Venue
Occupying the first two floors of one of Hanover Street’s handsome town houses, just off Regent Street, The Slug and Lettuce is evidently a shopper’s refuge. Clean, modern decor that comes straight out of a show-home does nothing to offend, but neither does it do anything capture the imagination. It ticks boxes: laminate floor, terracotta furnishings, mass-produced paintings on the walls. There are lots of cosy little corners to nestle in for a quiet drink, or you could opt for the more loungey sofas if you’re with a larger group. Upstairs is more of the same, which can also be reserved for private get togethers.

The Atmosphere
The only thing that is remotely trendy or edgy in this venue is the modern rock of The Killers and the Artic Monkeys that plays loudly over the punters chatter, but this seem quite incongruous with the venue itself. The crowd comprises bag-laden shoppers in need of a sit down, young families in need of a rest and a meal, and office workers in need of a drink. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with toddlers skipping past suits drinking bubbly. Very helpful and friendly staff will do their best to help you find a seat at busy times, but this can often be impossible, as a baffling number of people enter the venue seeking refuge from the busy streets outside.

The Food
The extensive menu at The Slug and Lettuce is several pages long and features food that is mostly overpriced when you consider that it is essentially just pub grub. Choose from starters and light bites, sharing platters, sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads, burgers, mains, salads and a children’s menu, plus a choice of several desserts. Mains come in at £8-£10, and the sharing platters go beyond the £10 mark, but do have quite generous portions.

The Drink
A good long wine list offers several Champagnes at a range of prices alongside well-described whites, reds and a few roses. There are also many cocktails on offer including a mix of classic cocktails, including Champagne drinks, short and long cocktails, martinis and shots. Long cocktails are all under a fiver, but expect to pay more than £6 for most 250ml glasses of wine. Mocktails and smoothies are also available for non-drinkers. The cocktails are painstakingly mixed by the meticulous bar staff, and a special recommendation is the Burnt Toasted Almond, a creamy cocktail of Amaretto, Kahlua and Baileys.

Draught beers all go beyond the £3 barrier and include Heineken, Stella and Peroni, plus the fruity Fruli and Belgian Peeterman. Bottles on offer include Becks, Magners, St. Helier and Becks non-alcoholic.

The Last Word
If a wide range of food and drink is more important to you than character or atmosphere, The Slug and Lettuce might be just what you are looking for after a hard day’s shopping in the West End.

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