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Yet another list with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Coal Hole, Strand, WC2
WC2
WC2R 0DW
Pub Type
Nicholsons (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Coal Hole
There never seems to be anywhere to sit in this large Nicholson's pub, whenever I arrive its like the last seat has just been taken! Deservedly popular though and not a cause for complaint. The usual Nicholson's abundance of dark wood, this pub has very high ceilings, a tiled floor and bar edge, a huge and attractive feature fireplace with a frieze adjacent of women picking grapes. Above the fireplace is a gallery area which was full of diners on my visit, but I don't think it is exclusively for eating.
The pub name apparently came about due to the regular custom of the coal heavers from the nearby riverside. Previously it was known as the Strand Wine Lodge, the letters SWL are still picked out today in yellow glass in the leaded windows.
I received friendly and chatty service, beers on were Taylor's Landlord and Golden Best, Pride, GK IPA, and the guest was Daleside Autumn Leaves, at £2.85 good value for this part of town.
There is also a wine bar area downstairs in the basement but I have never ventured down there.
Definitely a pub worthy of custom, and it stands out with good beer choice and service in this area of town predominantly visited by tourists and one-off theatre visitors.
On 19th February 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1711 recommendations about 1684 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Chris 87 left this review about The Coal Hole
Like some of the previous reviewers, I find the mediocre rating for this pub inexplicable. I had a superb pint of Davenport's 'The Fall' here at the by central london standards very reasonable price of 2.90. The food looks worth a shot as well. Its only downside is the gents khazi which is bloody tiny, but what kind of humourless bore seriously marks a pub down for that? A definite to try if you find yourself killing time before a show or a train from Charing Cross.
On 21st September 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 179 recommendations about 179 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Coal Hole
A large Nicholson's pub on the Strand where wood abounds. A very good selection of real ales with the Timothy Taylor "Landlord" being in first class condition.Handy if you are staying at the Savoy!! 10 minutes from Charing cross Railway station
On 25th March 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Coal Hole
They had Pride, Landlord, Harvey’s Bitter, Coach House Brewery Blueberry Classic Bitter, and Beartown Brewery’s Bear Ass Bitter on when I dropped in earlier in the week. I had the Bear Ass Bitter, which was a new one on me - £2.90 a pint; 4% and fairly dark with a smooth rich taste. Excellent. The beer choice has certainly improved in recent times. When I arrived shortly after noon there was an unpleasant smell of bleach, but this was soon masked by the smell of food. Typical Nicholson’s type menu – I had beef and horseradish on ciabatta with a few chips, which was OK for £4.95.
This pub has a very high, beamed ceiling, tiled floor, attractive friezes and bar-back. I even rather like the bar gantries. I noticed that the leaded-light windows had the initials SWL intertwined in them, standing for Strand Wine Lodge I believe. The decorations date from 1904, roughly the same period as the even more extravagantly decorated Blackfriar. This is a very impressive pub, which I like very much.
On 5th November 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2621 recommendations about 2536 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Coal Hole
It was very busy in here during my visit, but the eagle eyed barman spotted me right away and promptly served me. Doombar, Hobgoblin, Pride, Harveys Best and Landlord were all on offer along with various lagers. Behind the bar is almost as wide as the drinking area so it doesn't take a lot to make this pub feel busy. I spotted some seating upstairs, but I didn't check out the downstairs bar – Maybe next time.
In my opinion this place is worth a visit.
On 27th October 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6673 recommendations about 6635 pubs]