The Clachan, Soho, W1

A very good pub for real ales with up to 8 on at any one time.A fairly large front bar with a smaller eating area upstairs.The landlord is very keen on real ales and makes an effort to have different ones on.This is a good West End pub and is 5 mins walk from Oxford Circus tube station.

The Clachan is a very good example of a Victorian drinking house hidden behind the Liberty store, off Great Marlborough Street. The original multi bar set up has been opened up into one large area and much of the etched glasswork and screened partitions have disappeared. But a lot of the original wooden carving and ironwork still remain, as does the very fine bar backing and moulded ceiling , along with some nice Victorian tiling in the entrances. Outside the original Victorian turret and dome can be seen along with some ornate plasterwork which shows the pub dating back to 1898. It is a Nicholson’s House and as such has an impressive range of ales, but in my experience and common with Nicholson’s houses, sometimes a not very impressive bar staff. So be prepared to ask for top ups during busy periods. The bar area now supports 8 hand pumps which as well as the house TT Landlord and Pride usually includes some good regional’s. There was Deuchars IPA, Sharps Doombar, Thornbridge Jaipur IPA, Moorhouse Black Cat and RCH Pitchfork on during last Sundays visit and the Jaipur IPA was an excellent pint. The information board just inside the pub door gives a bit of info on the history of this place and does confirm that it was formerly known as the Bricklayers, and was once owned by Liberty, who had plans to turn it into a warehouse. Unfortunately it does not give any information on where the current name comes from. There is also an upstairs room, mainly for dining, but I have never bothered to venture up.

Official pages of the Clachan, contains menu and cask ale details - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

Official pages of the Clachan, contains menu and cask ale details - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk