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Coach & Horses, Soho
Our rating: 
User rating: 
(12 reviews)
User rating: (12 reviews)
FancyaPint?'s review...
Even though it's long-standing, famously rude landlord Norman Balon retired in 2006, this one-time Soho institution hasn't changed much since. Indeed posters in the window still describe it as Norman's Coach & Horses. For those who aren't au fait with Soho history, the Coach & Horses once boasted a litany of famous regulars, from Jeffrey Bernard to Francis Bacon and has played host to Private Eye magazine lunches upstairs for many a year. To others though, it's a dump. A famous dump, but still a dump. Worn paintwork, chipped, ageing tables and redundant Skol Lager/Ind Coope advertised in the backlit bar are all signs that this certainly isn't a sleek bar. Still some changes have taken place and the upstairs room now offers a separate restaurant and gastro fare. Downstrairs though, evenings find it crowded with Soho media types soaking up the 'old-school' vibe, while supping one of the numerous well kept ales or ciders. As things change in Soho, it has become something of a relic, filled with the ghosts of past times and an excess of nostalgic photos. Still, some old gentlemen can still be seen whiling away their days in the corner and the ambience is more relaxed and homely than other nearby places - there is even a wonderful weekly piano sing-a-long. If you fancy a pint and you're in the area, there are certainly worse places to spend your time.
Review: 4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
User reviews
29 Oct 2010
The best pub food in Soho, maybe the most beautiful dining room in the West End - a bit like an upstairs Andrew Edmunds, candlelit & cosy. The food is absolutely fantastic and incredibly reasonable. Their chef is very talented and makes everything in-house. I had confit of duck with red cabbage & bubble & squeak. It was the best duck I have ever had. Finished with a lemon posset with homemade shortbread. Do not miss eating here. It is a real find.
16 Aug 2010
Lovely! Really buzzy old fashioned, proper London pub. I love to meet friends for an afterwork drink ... outside and inside; Non sticky tables (makes such a difference) friendly bar staff (makes even more difference). Great beers, ciders and perrys.... and sarnies.
09 Aug 2010
Great boozer can now add great food!!! Just ate here for the first time having been drinking here on and off for years. The food was just outstanding!!! The Steak Pie with the oysters is worth the twenty minutes wait for them to cook it. Its all fresh and handmade by their chef and it is just seriously brilliant. Sorry to rant but seriously if you want good food this is fast becoming the place.
01 Apr 2010
A beautifully decorated, old-fashioned family run boozer. The dining room upstairs is just gorgeous with it’s curved wall display of lovely vintage mirrors – and this candle lit room is steeped in British satirical history!
15 Mar 2010
This is a right proper London boozer, in fact it's one of the only proper pubs left in Soho. Love it!
15 Mar 2010
The Coach and Horses has always been a great place to escape from the hustle and bustle of Soho. During the day it’s a haven of tranquillity but come the evening it transforms into a marvellous place to meet friends. Weather you’re looking for a good ole sing-a- long, a bit of a natter, minus the blaring back ground music of other pubs or a delicious meal upstairs. The Coach and Horses never fails to hit the spot. A+.
12 Mar 2010
I had dinner upstairs in The Coach and Horses on Saturday, and I think it was one of the most enjoyable evening i've had in a long time. The restaurant is an absolute delight. It's an incredible little piece of heaven right in the heart of busy Soho. The room itself is a delight, the food was AMAZING, and the prices... well far to reasonable. And to top it all off, a quirky little caberet act that had us all laughing our heads off. Well done to the Landlord and Landlady for making this such a charming place to go. I don't really want to recommend it and pass on the secret, but this really is too good to miss.
08 Dec 2009
The new landlord should actually be credited for keeping the Coach as it always was - a local pub - without gastrofying the life out of it. With the increasing amount of chain pubs & bars in Soho, the Coach remains unique - independent and still very much a community pub.
Obviously the visitor above did something to annoy the landlord and didn't like the response. Landlords are rarely rude unprovoked. Plus the ale is excellent here!!
Obviously the visitor above did something to annoy the landlord and didn't like the response. Landlords are rarely rude unprovoked. Plus the ale is excellent here!!
29 Aug 2008
While the previous landlord Norman revelled in his role as London’s rudest landlord, the fact is that although he was not one to suffer fools and ran a tight ship, he was a good guy, a proper publican.
The new landlord is also rude, extremely rude, however, unlike Norman, there are no saving graces, he is quite clearly not cut out to be running a pub.
Yes the Coach and Horse has its faults, however it should be remembered that this is a classic Soho boozer, replete with Formica tabletops, ill matching furniture, dodgy electrics and toilets which have to be seen to be believed.
I have enjoyed many an afternoon and evening in ‘the Coach’, but no more. Rude landlords are one thing, pig ignorant landlords quite another.
The new landlord is also rude, extremely rude, however, unlike Norman, there are no saving graces, he is quite clearly not cut out to be running a pub.
Yes the Coach and Horse has its faults, however it should be remembered that this is a classic Soho boozer, replete with Formica tabletops, ill matching furniture, dodgy electrics and toilets which have to be seen to be believed.
I have enjoyed many an afternoon and evening in ‘the Coach’, but no more. Rude landlords are one thing, pig ignorant landlords quite another.
Contact details
29 Greek Street, Leicester Square, London, W1D 5DH
020 7437 5920
Opening times
Mon-Thu 11:00-23:00
Fri Sat 11:00-00:00
Sun 11:00-22:30
Please check opening times with the pub before making a special journey.
Mon-Thu 11:00-23:00
Fri Sat 11:00-00:00
Sun 11:00-22:30
Please check opening times with the pub before making a special journey.
Events:
Quiz night - Tuesday
Features:
How to get there
Nearest Stations
Door-to-door journey planner
How to find the Coach & Horses pub
Leicester Square: turn left up Charing Cross Road and walk to Cambridge Circus. Take the road immediately to the right of the Theatre and walk a short distance along it. The pub will be on your right on the corner. Tottenham Court Road: Take the Charing Cross Road exit from the station and head down towards Shaftesbury Avenue. When you reach Cambridge Circus follow the instructions as above.
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History
27 May 11 Updated by piranha
27 May 11 Updated by piranha