The Coal Hole, Strand, WC2

This is a prominent Nicholson's pub on the Strand, close to the Savoy. The pub's interior is well described in the review by Roger below and it is interesting to read that this was formerly a Wine Lodge, as many aspects of the interior seem to pay homage to the grape and vine, including an impressive painting at the rear of the pub and a frieze running below the ceiling. The room, and bar counter, follows a long L-shape, with some large windows on the wall opposite the bar and a fair few seats lining the wall. At the back there is a mezzanine level which seems perfectly suited to those wanting food, but I was able to sit there without feeling obliged to order anything. There was a good ale selection, comprising of regulars London Pride and TT Landlord and a number of guests, detailed on a couple of blackboards - JW Lees Brewer's Dark, Thornbridge Jaipur and Lord Marples, Hook Norton Jackpot, Kelham Island Pale Rider and Sharp's Doom Bar. I had a pint of the Brewer's Dark, which was well kept, if not exactly to my taste. The service came with a smile and there were enough staff to cope with the large number of customers who had popped in presumably after seeing a nearby West End show. A fine pub and one worth visiting for both the beer and the interior. It's in a great location too, which makes return visits almost inevitable.

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.

The current pub now known as the Coal Hole opened in 1904 as the New Strand Wine Lodge and is currently part of the Nicholsons chain. My visits these days are a bit more sporadic since I no longer work in the immediate area but it has always been one of my favourite West End pubs. The L-shaped interior is designed in a way that makes it feel of a medieval lodge. The high beamed ceilings are mounted on corbels and a marble frieze surrounds the upper wall space. There are ornate paneled windows with coloured shields, a striking chessboard tiled floor and tucked away at the rear, an extremely ornate and handsome fireplace. A well positioned plasma screen is mounted in one corner whilst a more basic TV stands above the stairwell near the front door alongside a heap of barrels and jugs although this isn’t really a pub where you would expect to have the screens showing on a regular basis. Music is played at a tolerable level. Whilst it seems to be populated predominantly by office workers, it is a pub that would appeal to a wide range of people and does get very busy early evenings, especially when there is a convention or meeting in the adjoining Savoy Hotel. Table space is a bit limited and for the most part, drinking will be undertaken vertically, at a ledge or by way of stool at the bar. There is extra seating on the minstrel’s gallery at the rear of the pub. There is usually a good selection with 8 ales across 11 hand pumps on my latest visit, the regular Landlord and Pride being supplemented by a good mix of national favourites and more unusual micro offerings. Mulled cider is also currently being advertised. The prices are pitched a bit lower than the average pub in the surrounding area with ales between £2.85 and £3.25. As per most Nicholsons establishments, the prices and tasting notes are clearly labeled on each pump. The ale pumps are in 2 groups and differ between them but the ales are all listed on a couple of tick list black boards to save you wandering up and down the bar in search of your preference. I have never had a problem with the beer quality or service. There is also a downstairs cellar bar labeled as Edmunds Ale & Wine bar which, from a cursory glance, appears to be a candlelit cellar bar that I have never really fully explored, mainly because I find it hard to tear nmyself away from the main pub.