Argyll Arms

The Grade II-listed Argyll is a bobby dazzler, its screened-off snugs’ mahogany beauty reflected at every turn in myriad decorative etched mirrors. This glorious pile survives largely unaltered since its last makeover... in 1895. Given its central location opposite the Palladium (a secret tunnel connects the two venues), you can expect the place to be regularly overrun with tourists, show-goers & sightseers – so be prepared to dig your way through the crowd if you fancy a pint from the cast of well-kept real ales on rotation (think independent names such as Cairngorm Trade Winds, Leeds Midnight Bell or St Austell Proper Job). The Argyll’s decent food offering covers everything from fishfinger sandwiches & lamb-shank pie to rump steak with peppercorn sauce & Eton mess, although it’s easily upstaged by the surroundings.