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The Chandos, WC2
WC2
WC2N 4ER
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
very wellinformed left this review about The Chandos
Post theatre drink of OBB, in very good nick, pub was very busy, staff very quick, nuff said.
On 18th July 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 30 recommendations about 19 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
BobOs . left this review about The Chandos
This seems to be one of those pubs you either love or hate - I love it and usually call in for a pint when in the area - friendly staff, well kept beers (although there are better locally), good atmosphere, interesting interior and you can usually find a seat - what more can you ask? Above average.
On 11th July 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 370 recommendations about 355 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Chandos
This Sam Smith's pub is, as mentioned in the reviews below, split between a simple, functional downstairs bar and the more spacious Opera Room upstairs. The downstairs room has always been fairly busy when I have visited, so I've tended to use the Opera Room instead. The room has plenty of character, being fitted out with some lovely features such as the partitions and frosted windows. There are plenty of comfy sofas and chairs plus a number of tables with low stools. There is even a padded seat on the hearth of the fireplace at the front of the room, which is presumably keenly contested in winter months. Framed pictures of various opera stars adorn the walls in keeping with the theme of the room.
Beers come in the shape of the standard Sam Smith's range including their lager, stout and a decent pint of bitter at just £1.99, which to my mind is great value and made it even more enjoyable to have a drink in these lovely surroundings. The staff were very cheerful and welcoming as well as being prompt in their service.
It's fair to say that the Harp, which is just around the corner from here, would be of more interest to real ale drinkers, but this place has plenty to offer and given the fact that the Harp can easily fill up, this is a perfect overspill option. Well worth a look.
On 19th July 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Chandos
I’m not sure why, but The Chandos remains one of my favourite SS pubs in London . It hasn’t got the opulent decor of some of the others or the intimate feel of cosiness, but I am usually drawn here when in the area.
As eloquently described by Roger below, it’s like two pubs in one, with a plain vertical drinking barn on the ground floor, but a great place if you can get to occupy one of the six wooden booths, and then a more comfortable multi area lounge room upstairs with its own bar and service. It is easy to overlook the upstairs bar if you are not in the know as it has to be reached by external staircases outside the downstairs bar area.
Usual SS drinks offerings and fortunately I do like Old Brewery Bitter on pump and it’s still under £2 a pint.
On 26th June 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Chandos
I don't know how it has taken me so many years to get round to commenting on this place. Apart from the occasional lick of paint, the pub hasn't changed a jot since my first visit over 25 years ago. The main downstairs bar is fairly basic with 6 snugs of varying capacity lined along the window side. The plainness of the décor, bare floors and unremarkable furnishings is offset by some attractive coloured glass latticed windows. Tucked away at the back next to the stairs to the rather pungent loos is a darts room that is easily overlooked and a bit of a rarity in the West End. Thanks to the pub's location things can be very busy with seating at a premium but service has always been first rate and I have rarely had to wait to be served. Being a Sam Smiths pub, the prices are dirt cheap, currently £1.90 for a pint of Old Brewery Bitter and, unlike some Sam Smiths pubs in London, the Ale is on hand pump. Obviously the downside of any Sam Smiths pub is the lack of choice and the beers will not be to everyone's taste.
Upstairs is the Opera bar that, far from being an extra room used as an overspill, actually functions as a fully operational pub with its own character and ambience. Unusually, there is a bar that is as fully stocked as the main bar downstairs. The Opera bar is roughly split into 3 areas, a large sofa laden lounge bar with multiple Chesterfields and some interesting little window seats, a smaller central split level area with a more pubby feel and a more homely bit at the other end with a mix between the two. Whilst it can be equally as busy, the Opera Bar is less easily overlooked and tends to get a bit quieter as the evening goes on. So basically the Chandos is 2 pubs for the price of one, cheap and busy but lacking in drink choice. There are numerous pubs and bars within spitting distance of the Chandos coming in all shapes, sizes and styles but the Chandos has always been a long standing and solid servant to my requirements.
On 20th October 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Chandos
This is a Sam Smith's pub that has OBB on handpump, at the usual SS cheap prices. It occupies a fairly large corner site at the bottom of St Martin's Lane. One large bar downstairs (ground floor level) and another upstairs. The downstairs bar features a number of enclosed booths that are ideal for small groups of drinkers. This is an OK pub I suppose, but The Harp, only a few yards away is far better and does better (if more expensive) ales – unless you're a Sam Smith's fan of course!
On 5th November 2008
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Chandos
I was pretty worse for wear on my last visit here but I had a nice pint and time to gather myself whilst finding my second wind. The barman was very friendly and he let me have a sample before I made my decision and parted with any money.
I wouldn't want to stay all night in here, but I do like this pub (which is strange as I'm not the biggest fan of Sam Smiths pubs).
On 23rd June 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]