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Poll for date of Halifax crawl. with ROBCamra
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Saturday, 21st January 2023
With picture contributions to 11567 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (28 more images)
Detail Pages
The Coach & Horses, Soho, W1
W1
W1D 5DH
Served areas
Reviews of The Coach & Horses (Average Rating: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The Coach & Horses
There are three pubs called the Coach & Horses in Soho, and having visited this one in January and forgotten to write up my review, I had a struggle to remember which one it was. Luckily I didn't have to walk the streets looking for it: the fact that it is listed on Camra's national inventory of historic interiors is enough to identify this one. (A full description can be read by following the link below.) The astonishing piece of preservation is the trough at the foot of the substantial bar counter, into which customers could expectorate. Also well preserved is the 1960s bar back which features the names of Ind Coope's Double Diamond and Skol lager. Returning to the present day, there were six beers on hand pulls at the time of my visit; I went for Verdant's Lamanva, a 4% best bitter that was in very good condition (NBSS 3.5 or 4)
Date of visit: 25th January 2023
On 27th November 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3734 recommendations about 3471 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Coach & Horses
Date of review: 8th October 2021.
I had thought I'd been here before over 30 years ago, as I'd seen Jeffrey Bernard in a Soho pub, but obviously not this one as I'd definitely not been in here before, or perhaps I can't remember it, my former Soho drinking days being more enthusiastic than now. The alternative name of Norman's, relates to Norman Balon - retired 2006 - who had the unenviable reputation of being London's rudest landlord; he must have been incredibly rude indeed.
The interior can be seen on CAMRA's website, for this has an interior of National Importance, though the paint job above the picture rail is now duck egg blue which looks less impressive than the former sage green. The retention of the Double Diamond, Ind Coope and Skol lettering to the backlit bar back are is a nice touch, as are the exterior Taylor Walker lanterns and Taylor Walker mirror to the right bar; the stone spittoon running below the bar seemed unused. The left side of the bar is carpeted, the right being chequered lino. There's an upright piano for Wednesday and Saturday knees-ups; no background music seemed to be playing. Otherwise, décor seemed to be confined to framed cartoons, which I suspect may relate to the pub's history, along with a flyer for the play Jeffrey Barnard is Unwell, with Peter O'Toole in the titular role.
Ales: Fuller's but just Pride and Oliver's Island. Then, Kirkstall's Dissolution IPA and Hophead at £5.20; not bad considering the area.
This is a classic unspoilt must-visit London boozer, making for a great crawl when seeking out other quality hostelries in the area.
On 30th March 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Coach & Horses
A very fine inter war interior with lots of original features and even the ale range extends beyond the Fullers tie.This pub was once in the charge of Norman Balon,a very rude landlord and counted among it's regulars Jeffrey Barnard and other famous soaks.Framed cartoons on the walls record those days.Once the setting for Private Eye editorial lunches,these days food is not available.
There are three sections with light wood dividers and good woodworking elsewhere.The first section is carpeted,the others retain chequed lino ,with an upright piano on the far side.The entrance to the gents nearby is very narrow,obese folk take note.The windows include a lower run of obscured glass ,while the exterior doors are 30's classics.
On my trip besides Fullers Hophead,Seafarers and London Pride the guests were Good Chemistry High Plains (NBSS 2.5),Turning Point Chip Hazard and Chapter Teeter Rye.With real ale choice limited in Soho,this pub offers much interest ,and with a listed interior I will most certainly be back.Folk spill out onto the pavement in good weather but at times this pub can get rammed.
On 7th August 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
View more reviews of The Coach & Horses (17)
Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
- Official site of The Coach & Horses - www.coachandhorsessoho.pub
- Randomness Guide to London - Coach And Horses entry
- Facebook - Norman's Coach and Horses
- Twitter - Coach & Horses
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Coach & Horses - whatpub.com
- Historic Pub Interiors - pubheritage.camra.org.uk
London Waterloo, 1.37 miles, 26 min walk (show)
London Euston, 1.38 miles, 26 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Car Park : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Dog Friendly : No - Guide dogs only. - last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Function Room : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Hot Food : No - Vegetarian and Vegan only - last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Jukebox : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Live Music : Yes - Piano knees-ups Wednesday and Saturday. - last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Pool Table : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Quiz Night : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes - Fuller's. - last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
- Real Cider : No last updated 08 October 2021 by Tris C
