The John Snow

Named after epidemiologist John Snow who, in 1854, traced a deadly outbreak of cholera to a nearby public tap, this boozer’s last flirtation with notoriety is more recent. As a media storm was whipped up, claim & counter-claim swirled around the real reason why two gay men were reportedly asked to leave a Soho pub in 2011 (apparently, it was a simple kiss). The pub was even forced to close on a couple of occasions because of demos on its doorstep. Controversy aside, what you have is an old tavern dating to the days of Jack the Ripper, with three cosy snugs & a raft of Sam Smith’s libations on draught & in bottles. True to the Tadcaster brewery’s reputation for value, the John Snow shifts Alpine & Taddy lager for just over £2 a pint.