Capitol

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.

Capitol is a bar that markets itself as the epicentre of lad and ladette culture, boasting endless sport on 11 televisions and a big screen, regular DJ sessions, quizzes and live music events five nights out of seven. (There are even private karaoke booths for hire.) With a schedule this hectic it's surprising that there's any time left to prepare food, but the bar's menu is extensive, if largely comprising dishes that would send a shiver down the spines of the more health-conscious. It caters mainly to those gathering energy for the night ahead, with hefty, popular pub standards that leave plenty of beer money for later. A starter serving of nachos is an inviting pile of warm, crisp tortilla chips big enough for two, gooey with cheese and served with sour cream and fresh, spicy salsa. Customers have the option of adding spicy chicken or chilli for a truly mountainous meal, but with the sizeable main courses proving even bigger challenges to the waistline, it might be wise to pace yourself. While a little flavour maybe sacrificed in return, there's no arguing that selected mains on offer at two for £8.95 (with plans afoot to lower this to £6.95) – such as the burger and steak pie with chunky chips – is certainly a bargain.

• High point: Friendly and attentive staff
• Low point: Dishes often lack the 'fresh' and 'quality' taste of which the menu boasts

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