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Detail Pages
Princess Louise, Holborn, WC1
WC1
WC1V 7EP
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Princess Louise
Only a stones throw from Holborn tube. This Sam Smith flagship pub is well worth a visit. Named in honour of Queen Victoria`s 4th daughter. This Grade II listed pub was built in 1872. Consists of partitioned booths with sparkling etched cut glass panels, authentic Vic loos. Mid afternoon was a good one for me as I could chat away to the friendly staff. Gets mobbed when all the students pile in, hence Sammy Smith prices.
On 13th March 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Princess Louise
This pub underwent a major refurbishment a few years ago, which saw the restoration of the many screens used to partition the interior into cubicles, leaving us with, in my opinion, the finest pub interior in the capital.
The pub can be entered through two doors, each of which leads into a corridor running to the rear of the building. From these corridors, you can step into a number of beautifully partitioned drinking booths, each giving access to the bar. At the end of each corridor is a larger compartment, which is perhaps your best bet to head for if the pub is busy (which it invariably is). There is plenty of etched glass, mostly used in the partitioning walls, as well as some fine mirrors and tile work. An impressive frieze runs just below the intricately decorated ceiling.
This is a Sam Smith's pub with their usual range of beers, including OBB on handpull. The staff seemed very friendly on my recent visit and coped well with the large number of customers crammed inside. It goes without saying that you will appreciate the pub more if you visit at a quieter time of the day.
I'm not the biggest fan of Sam Smith's beer, but they deserve plenty of praise for the work they have done here as the restoration can only be viewed as a success. This is like a trip back in time and I'd heartily recommend this as a 'must visit' pub.
On 22nd December 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Princess Louise
Steve of N21 has already covered the Victorian heritage of this pub, so I won’t bang on about it too much. But it really is a tour de force of Victorian interior decoration. Just about every original feature remains (mahogany bar back, etched and cut glass, etc, etc) except the bar dividing panels that Sam Smith’s restored a year or two ago, and no doubt contributed largely to the pub refurbishment of the year award that they received. A one-time Watney’s pub (I have a photograph of the infamous Red Barrel sitting on the bar!) it is now a Sam Smith’s house, so the beer choice, although by no means good, is an improvement. This pub is definitely worth a visit to see a classic Victorian pub interior in pristine condition.
On 26th August 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Princess Louise
The Princess Louise is a gem of a pub, in that the interior has been carefully restored to her original fantastic Victorian opulence by Sam Smith. And as previous reviewers have commented it is worth visiting for this alone, even before considering the decent Sam Smiths OBB on hand pump at still under £2 a pint.
An absolute brilliant display of decorative tile displays, cut glass and gilt mirrors, and richly ornate plasterwork cover the walls. And then the wonderful feature of the individual drinking cubicles put back in using the finest carpentry, each having their own personal bar space.
And the passage down to the toilets and the toilets themselves are a work of art. I’ve often caught ladies sneaking into the Gents to have a look at the tiling (they said).
The only downside of the Princess Louise is that it is rightly very popular, and as the cubicle areas, brilliant that they are, do make the available space quite small it can be an uncomfortably busy place to drink.
That is unless you are lucky enough to get a group of you into one of the cubicles, which we were on Friday evening when everyone else was taking advantage of the sun and drinking on the pavement. And then I cannot think of anywhere better to enjoy a pint and conversation in London.
And to add a couple of facts not previously mentioned, the pub was originally built in 1872 and takes its name from Queen Victoria's fourth daughter.
On 7th June 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Princess Louise
I wish that all pubs had multiple screens like this one as it is perfect for escaping and hiding from conversational parasites that seem hell bent on ruining your evening (not that I met any in here).
The Old Brewery bitter was nice and the Scottish barman was friendly and professional.
I think that this is the best SS pub I've been into and I sometimes wish that I could have the same partitioning put into my local pub.
On 26th November 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tony Langley left this review about Princess Louise
I love this pub. It's an absolute gem. Fabulous ales, striking interior.
On 1st November 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 38 recommendations about 38 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Princess Louise
Its all been well documented but this is a pub worth a visit purely for the superb interior. A huge island bar, panelled walls with tiled inserts, a spectacular ceiling with a tiled frieze below, supported by decorative columns. The entrance step and side corridor have mosaic floors and the original snob screen dividers have been remade and replaced. Fantastic mirrors too. The place positively gleams as well. Superb and laudable restoration, other breweries please take note.
Oh, and Sam Smiths OBB at 1-86 a pint in this location!
On 7th October 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steven Bradbury left this review about Princess Louise
This was the 2000th pub I drank in. Well worth the milestone too. Recommended.
On 25th November 2006
- rating: 8
[User has posted 12 recommendations about 12 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Phil Sharpe left this review about Princess Louise
This is a pub that must be visited. The atmosphere and interior of this pub is great. Beers good, food good.
On 29th September 2006
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5 recommendations about 5 pubs]