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Ye Old White Horse, WC2

2 St Clements Lane
WC2
WC2A 2HA

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Bucking Fastard left this review about Ye Old White Horse

This pub was part of my stamping ground when I worked closeby around the turn of the millenium.It used to have a sign in the window saying No Students,which was rather pointed as the pub sits opposite the LSE,and I'm glad to say this small pub is much more inclusive these days.
The dead end lane outside now has upturned tuns and umberellas for exterior drinking which was proving popular with the students,and there is an outside drinking shelf infront of the main window which together with the front door has some good etched glass.
The interior has a high table at the front,a drinking shelf opposite the bar with some stools and then a raised rear section with a long perimeter brown leather bench,traditional tables and small stools.There is also an unused fireplace here but many of the tables had reserved signs with no indication of the time of reservation ,so stood mostly empty as the pub filled,which seemed rather foolish,and was no doubt a reason for a lot of exterior drinking.
The floor throughout is light wood,and on the walls are some very good old Guiness adverts in frames.There is an old school guv'nor ,friendly staff and a pleasant atmosphere of a genuine,small , London boozer.
Two real ales doubled up in TT Landlord and St Austell Proper Job (proper nick,NBSS 4).The craft keg options are mainly from Camden.The muzak was not too loud and varied while a flatscreen above the front window was off on my Friday evening visit.
A lot better than when I last used it,the decent real ale would tempt me back again if visiting the area,somewhat tucked away from the more tourist parts of Holborn.

On 26th November 2023 - rating: 7
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Ye Old White Horse

Tucked away behind the London School of Economics, this is an unremarkable side-street pub with a narrow frontage. The bar gets marginally wider at the slightly raised back area but just space for a few tables and a some tall stools along edge drinking shelves. Limited decor comprising some old Guinness posters and a couple of large mirrors enlivened by a few festive lights, but some decent music also made a bit of a difference. All four handpumps operational on this visit, with Monty Python's (Black Sheep) Holy Grail, Adnam's Lighthouse, Butcombe Chris Mouse (£4.30) and Rosie's Pig cider.

On 23rd December 2018 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8061 recommendations about 8061 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


custodian 42 left this review about Ye Old White Horse

Only a few people at the rear of the room. No beer above 4.5%, I'm afraid and the Landlord wasn't that brilliant. No return for me.

On 19th October 2016 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about Ye Old White Horse

Given the 'Ye' affectation, it should come as no surprise to learn that this was once just The White Horse and is leased from the neighbouring LSE which explains the preponderance of students. Bare boarded, the place has one large impossibly high table at front, no furniture in the middle and a small raised area to the rear with some conventional furniture and a modern bare brick wall - essentially this is a vertical drinking establishment-cum-student union bar with muted music and Sky Sports when required to make the place even less appealing to the discerning pub-goer.
Ales: Brakspeare's Best, Hog's Back TEA, Timothy Taylor's Golden Best and Woodforde's Wherry at a steep £2.30 a half and not great.

My university days are long over so I'll not be returning - The George next door has a student bias and is far superior.

On 7th May 2016 - rating: 3
[User has posted 1955 recommendations about 1922 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Malden man left this review about Ye Old White Horse

Hidden away down narrow St Clement's Lane, between Kingsway and the LSE, this is a tiny fronted pub which once inside belies its appearance and goes back a fair way. One room, bar to the middle side with limited seating consisting of one table in the front window, a ledge opposite the bar then up a couple of steps a few small tables with leather banquette and stool seating at the back. The walls and textured patterned ceiling are coloured blood red, decor includes plenty of old Guinness adverts (the pub has a vaguely Irish feel)cartoons of the legal profession, hunting and golfing scenes. At the end of the bar is an old cast iron fireplace with tiled sides. The front door and windows have some decent looking etched glass and a couple of large mirrors on the side wall make the narrow space feel a bit roomier.
The overall feel is comfortable and quiet, even with the rugby on TV yesterday, you could easily be some distance from central London.
There are four handpumps, just two working at the time, Pride, Landlord (£3.60) with Black Sheep Bitter and Tribute reversed.
Food served, there was a burger menu on a chalkboard and I saw some reference to bangers and mash night.
This is one of those tucked away surprise London pubs, away from the tourist trails and well worth seeking out.

On 10th March 2013 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about Ye Old White Horse

There were four real ales on last Wednesday - I had the Woodforde's Norfolk Wherry, which was just fine. They also had Taylor's Landlord on plus Young's Special as guest beer (forgotten the fourth, but it was not one of the usual suspects). Friendly service, and I enjoyed a chat with the landlord about East End pubs that we had known. Place could do with a little bit of a smarten up, but I still appreciate the atmosphere of a simple little boozer that serves as an oasis away from the soulless drinking establishments that abound round the corner in Kingsway. They have got rid of the "no students" sign, but I gather that all but mature students are still barred. Definitely worth seeking out you you like "no-frills" pubs.

On 10th March 2007 - rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Roger Button left this review about Ye Old White Horse

Tucked away is not the word - I have wandered around this area many a time and never noticed this place until I accidentally stumbled upon it. The first thing that hits you is that the interior is very dark; dark wall coverings, dark ceiling and dark carpet. Several mirrors on the walls probably help to reflect some of the natural light but the overall the lighting is very dim. The pub consists of a single room with just one table in the front bay and a raised seated area towards the back. It would appear that sitting at a ledge by the wall is the order of the day. A decent selection of 4 ales (Deuchars IPA, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Woodforde Wherry and Breakspears Bitter) and reasonable prices (the Wherry was £2.60 – pretty good for the area). Aside from the rather plain mirrors, the walls are adorned with legal cartoons that suggest the pub is popular with the guys (and gals) from the nearby Royal Courts of Justice. The service was friendly and efficient albeit there were barely 4 or 5 people in there, and this was Friday lunchtime. Facilities were few – I didn't notice any games machines or the like (no bad thing), piped mainstream radio, small TV, basic food counter and that's about it. A down to earth, common or garden boozer with nothing special apart from a decent selection of beers but I doubt whether there is enough here to entice anyone other than the local students here on a regular basis.

On 28th October 2005 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]