Salvador & Amanda, Leicester Square  

Not a pub, but given this area isn't really overrun with great pubs we don't feel any problems recommending a decent bar to you. Taking its name from Senor Dali and his muse of the 1960s, this basement bar doubles as a tapas venue, though it's hardly the sort of place that you'll stand out in if you just stick to the drink. This place prides itself on its sangria and its cocktails, though a decent range of spirits and bottles beers are also available. It's a fair sized space, darkly lit and with an array of different sized tables so it's able to cope with small or larger groups. Heartening too that they haven't gone overboard on the Dali theme - just a few black and white photos on the wall of the man and his muse. That sort of subtlety works in this one's favour and although it's got some of the bar features that we're not keen on (your change on a tray, for example) it doesn't go too far down that route (eg no sign on our visit of somebody pushing down the taps for you in the toilet). A cut above your average West End bar then, but this one manages to evade the exclusive nature of London's swankier drinking holes. Stylish yes, pretentious no. And if you're after a late night, this one's open till 2am Mon-Thur and 3am at weekends (though you'll have to pay to get in after 9pm).

reviewed:
11/05/2006

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