The Old Coffee House, Soho, W1

This is a pub that has been on my radar for a visit for some time, but it was not till early June that I actually got round to getting here for the first time. It's a fine traditional street corner pub situated on the fringes of Soho. Externally, we learn that the pub offers "real ales from our own micro brewery", although this strikes me as being somewhat slightly misleading as the range of beer pumps on the bar indicate that the micro brewery in question is Brodies, which, if we didn't already know, is actually in Leyton. The interior is bigger than it looks from the outside, but is well decorated with plenty of pots and pans hanging down from the ceiling, some boxing memorabilia, guitars, stuffed birds, First World War posters, enamel signs and several old Truman Hanbury and Buxton mirrors. I did also notice that framed letter from David Beckham that I recollect seeing in the Cross Keys in Covent Garden some while ago. The pub was originally a Coffee Public House run by the Temperance movement. On the afternoon on my visit, a large drop down screen was showing the Australia v Ghana game, but it didn't dominate or detract from the friendly welcoming atmosphere. Notably, it was clear from the interaction between bar staff and customers that there were a good number of customers who were regulars and on first name terms with the staff. Tourists were relatively few and far between, although those that did venture in were cordially welcomed. There were approx half a dozen Brodies beers on. All beers appeared to be priced at £ 3.00p. Both the Special and the Pride of St George were on good form. On the basis of my visit, I would expect the pub, which advertises regularly in London Drinker, to make next year's 2011 CAMRA Good Beer Guide ( stop press - it has !) I quite liked this one and it's going on my list for an early re-visit.

Randomness Guide to London - Old Coffee House entry

Randomness Guide to London - Old Coffee House entry