The Coal Hole, Strand, WC2

Update – January 2013 Several recent visits have led me to conclude that this is one of Nicholsons better outlets, both in terms of beer quality and range, together with its traditional atmosphere. It’s listed in the 2013 CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Last Saturday, beers on included Wold Top Bitter, Lancaster Bomber, Thorbridge Jaipur IPA, Bristol Beer Factory Californian, Halfpenny London Stone, Harviestoun Old Engine Oil, plus London Pride and Nicholsons ( St Austells ) One niggle – not sure if the heating had broken down, but it was distinctly nippy inside on my visit, with most people keeping their coats and scarves on. Let’s hope it’s warmer next time. Original Review – February 2010 Well known Nicholsons pub situated half way down The Strand in the midst of theatreland – indeed it’s next door to The Savoy Theatre. It’s a longish L shaped bar with a high beamed ceiling and fine plasterwork friezes high up around the walls featuring nubile young ladies picking grapes. Of note also are the unusual circular leaded windows where the letters SWL can be seen in places – this denotes the establishment’s former name of Strand Wine Lodge in days long gone. At the far end of the pub – by the atmospheric and cosy Wolf Parlour – are some stairs to an upstairs mezzanine area, from where you can often sit in a bit more comfort watching the throng down below. Downstairs from the main bar is the Edmunds Ale and Wine Bar with a typical wine bar ambience, rather different from the main pub upstairs at ground level. A former In Coope pub, it was absorbed into the Nicholsons chain a good many years ago. On my recent Saturday lunchtime visit, the usual Nicholsons suspects were on the pumps – TT Landlord, Pride, GK IPA and Thwaites Nutty Black. Also on was a beer called Organic Cragg Vale Bitter from the Little Valley Brewery in West Yorkshire, which I didn’t get to sample. The pub is often busy with theatregoers or people from The Savoy next door and is a popular meeting up place, but it’s worth calling in if you get the chance

Only ever visited this one in the early evening period, during which time it's generally packed. Service is pretty good, however, so I've never had a problem getting served. Beer is from the standard Nicholson's range and tends to be pretty good. I'm marking it down a notch, though, as it's one of those infuriating venues that seems to think that what a crowded pub, bustling with chatter, really needs is the music turned up loud. It doesn't.

Waiting for a train after a day with friends, I suddenly remembered the Coal Hole. A solid, Edwardian Nicholson’s pub, with chequered floor tiles, beamed ceilings and plenty of dark mahogany. A decent selection of beers at the bar, including Moor’s Natural Beauty, an unfined pale ale which intrigued me. Walking round to the back of the pub, admiring the imposing staircase, I was mortified to see Jaipur IPA from Thornbridge Hall, a beer that I’d been seeking for the last five or so years. Unfortunately, no time to try it. Yes, one day I’ll come here first rather than last.

A short walk from Trafalgar Square and adjacent to the Savoy Theatre, Richard Harris’ old local is now part of the M&B Nicholson’s arm of historic and/or unusual London pubs. It has been taken up by them due to the grand two-floored interior, apparently dating from 1904, which boasts fantastic friezes, hanging tapestries, high ceilings, fabulous fireplaces, ornate bar back and chessboard floor. As befits Nicholson’s current policy, a number of ales are available with Pride and Doom Bar as standards. I plumped for a Jaipur which was in decent shape. It was relatively quiet on my mid-afternoon visit though I am reliably informed that it gets rammed with office workers and tourists at peak times, though apparently there is a basement bar that offers a degree of refuge from the throng – I didn’t notice it though, which perhaps underlines the point! For those who appreciate their surroundings, this one is a definite must-visit.