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Disappointment of the week with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The White Horse, Soho, W1
W1
W1D 7PJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The White Horse
If you want a quiet drink and a seat try this Sam Smiths pub,there are normally more people outside than in.A typical SS interior ,but looking rather worn,it's all wood panelling,dividers,no screens,muzak,machines and little atmosphere.
The island bar serves three sections,with a lack of furniture in the largest section which leads to the staircase to the restaurant.The rear snug is descete but the door here is unused as is another side door,so enter at the apex.
Just SS Old Brewery Bitter on handpump (clear,old school hop lite malt based NBSS 2.5,£2.35 the half) along with the usual SS kegs and spirits which I think throws tourists looking for branded lager fonts and spirit bottles.
Not much need to return,how long can SS keep their pubs in a time warp ?
On 7th August 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The White Horse
A typical Soho corner pub, dating from the early 18th century, but obviously rebuilt, probably in the 19th.
As mentioned, this is a Sam Smith’s pub which isn’t as ornate as some in the vicinity; it’s a bit basic, but not in an unpleasant way. There’s much in the way of etched glass, but how much is original, I don’t know. There’s either dark wood match boarding or brown paint to the dado, then magnolia walls. There’s also ginger wallpaper and a grey ceiling. The bar is also field panelled but without bar back. The floor appears to be lino and lighting comes from typical Victorian-style lamps and sconces; décor is minimal, just a few framed prints.
The only thing approximating to ale on offer, was Old Brewery on keg, but oddly there were two pumps for the stuff, clips reversed; do some people prefer it on keg? Either way, it was £2.35 a half and typically far too cold.
Beer aside, there are better, more attractive Smith’s outlets in the area and possibly with OB on pump, providing little incentive for a return visit.
On 23rd October 2021
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The White Horse
Sam Smiths pub but more basic and workaday than a number of their other central London offerings. Island bar serves three drinking areas which are separated and is ostensibly a U shaped bar. The usual dark wood fittings in situ. I went for a pint of the Stout, one of the better Sam’s keg offerings. Cask OBB is available, must be relatively recent based on reviews below and elsewhere. Crawl fodder only I think.
On 29th September 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The White Horse
A typical Sam Smiths London pub, no real ale in this one but I'm ok with their keg stuff for a quick stop.
On 31st December 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The White Horse
This is a Sam Smith's pub so you won't be expecting a selection of ales. And your low expectations will be met fully here with not even the handpump version of Old Brewery Bitter available. The keg version was £1.45 a half, thus quite cheap - some consolation I suppose. Food was available when I dropped in on Thursday lunchtime with a typically pub grub menu offered. Prices are reasonable too, with the rarely seen liver & onions at £6.95, steak and ale pie at £8.15, and bangers & mash at £5.95.
The interior of this pub is typical Sam smith's with dark wood panelling everywhere. There is traditional screening between bars, which may or may not be original, as Sam Smith's do such a good job of restoring their pubs' original features. There is a central island bar now, and the bar counter looks like an original piece. At the back there's an attractive fireplace (with a real wood fire alight) with an impressive carved wood mantlepiece with an ancient looking clock set into its centre. Furnishings are standard issue banquettes, normal tables and chairs, small stools, plus some tall stools at the bar and at a ledge by the windows. An upstairs lounge was roped off when I was in.
This is a great little pub let down, as is invariably the case with Sam Smith pubs, by the lack of a decent ale selection. There are some Sam Smith pubs that are so good architecturally that they must be visited despite the lack of ale choice - this doesn't quite make that grade.
On 20th December 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The White Horse
Fairly basic Sam Smiths pub, with a small near-island bar with just a screen on one side preventing you walking all the way around. A few nice features such as the mosaic name at the doorway. Lounge bar upstairs (never visited). Busy enough, but one of those ridiculous places which doesn't have OBB on handpump. I suppose one shouldn't complain too much when you can still get a pint of Extra Stout at £2.46, but it could all be so much better...
On 3rd March 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about The White Horse
No handpumps, no sale.
On 26th October 2008
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]