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Detail Pages
The Dog & Duck, Soho, W1
Soho
W1
W1D 3AJ
Pub Type
Nicholsons (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Dog & Duck
A Soho favourite of mine over the years with a now much more adventurous selection of ales than in the past,not a sign of T.T.Landlord ,a former staple of this pub,instead I had a very good pint of moor Revival,always a good pub but even better now the beer range has improved.
On 8th September 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Dog & Duck
This wonderful Soho pub, dating back to 1897, has a name that reflects Soho’s past as a royal hunting ground. The interior of the pub has one of the capital’s finest examples of tiled walls, with several incorporating images of dogs and ducks. It also has a servery in an unusual front corner position between the two entrance doors. The servery is all dark wood and etched glass, with similar panes appearing above the doors and in the porch area. The bar area is very narrow, with just enough room for a drinking ledge opposite the counter, above which there are some impressively large Victorian advertising mirrors. The glazed tiles can be spotted between these mirrors, but it is the far end of the room that boasts the finest tile display. There is a good deal more seating here which is arranged around some copper topped tables and a grand fireplace. Impressive chandeliers in both halves of the room complete a very pleasing look. Upstairs is the Orwell dining room, named after the famous author who apparently used to drink here, as did the likes of Constable, Rossetti and Madonna, although presumably not at the same time.
This is a Nicholson’s pub, so there was an interesting beer selection awaiting me. My choice was from Fuller’s London Pride, St Austell Tribute and Nicholson’s Pale Ale, Caledonian Golden Sun, XT Dark Roast, Sharp’s Doom Bar and Kelham Island Pale Rider. I plumped for the Dark Roast which was a luscious malty number in top condition. The bar staff were super efficient, coping admirably with a quickly crowded bar area.
I really liked the feel of this place and would happily have stayed longer had I been able to grab myself a seat. Overcrowding may be the only real drawback to this place which is well worth a look for the interior alone. This remains the best pub I have managed to find in Soho to date.
On 7th August 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
BobOs . left this review about The Dog & Duck
Cracking little Soho pub and one of my favourites. Friendly welcome and great atmosphere full of character with interesting Victorian detailing still in evidence. Usually very busy but you can often find a seat upstairs or, as we did yesterday, visit around noon to get a choice of seats. Always a decent range of ales on, invariably in fine condition - I've never had a bad pint here. Well above average and well worth a visit.
On 23rd March 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 370 recommendations about 355 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Dog & Duck
A very small corner pub that’s part of the Nicholsons chain and has a lot of interesting interior décor, with fine wall tiling and mirrors. However being a) small; and b) in Soho it means that it’s either a choice of getting squashed inside or standing outside and getting hassled by the various Soho-resident beggars, junkies and charity do-gooders at peak times. Five ales on last night with two mainstream ones in Doom Bar and Pride and some far more interesting choices on the central pumps (worth pushing through the scrum!) – I went for a Venus Project Black which came out very well and was tasty enough for a return visit. Prices weren't cheap but could have been worse.
I’d like to do this pub properly again at a quieter time in order to get the full effect. If you’re gigging at the nearby Borderline this place should be a default stop-off anyway.
On 27th January 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Dog & Duck
I paid a long overdue return visit to this pub on Friday, and am glad to see that it’s unchanged and I reckon still the best pub in Soho. It’s worth a visit just to look at some of the best examples of Victorian tiling in London (although unfortunately, and perhaps inevitably, some is hidden by furniture) with the availability of some decent ales a very welcome bonus. I’ll be back sometime. The following is from Feb 2010: Small but perfectly formed, the Dog & Duck is a welcoming pub with what I would say is an intimate atmosphere. It has some of the best examples of Victorian tiling still around, and some of the dark panelling looks to be original. There were a couple of decent ales on yesterday - Thwaites Old Smoky and Stonehenge Nutty Black. Didn’t eat in there yesterday, but I have in the past and the snacks (sarnies and chips and suchlike) are pretty good and reasonably priced. Very simply, I think this is the best pub in Soho. For this reason I suppose, it does seem to get busier than the others, and not just with tourists.
On 15th January 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Dog & Duck
A small ornate interior,with three large mirrors opposite the compact serving bar with a shelf and a couple of tables to rest your pint.At the rear are a few more tables and stools in an area tiled to the ceiling .There is an old stamp machine and a door to the perilous decent to the gents in this section.A dumb waiter completes the scene.The upstairs Orwell Bar is now reserved for diners but it's worth a quick look.
The pub does get busy at peak periods but a lot of customers head outside to drink which is a natural self limiter to the demand for internal space and if you persevere inside ,I have often found that a table come free as there is a rapid turnover of clientele.
There are eight handpumps in this Nicholson's,and although London Pride and St Austell's Tribute were doubled up,and the ubiqitous Doom Bar occupied the fifth,there were still interesting guests in Harviestoun Ptarmigan and Downton Dark Delight on my trip with the final handpull reversed.£3.40 for decent ale quality seemed reasonable to me,the short pint was just down to a lack of training and pressure at a peak time.
This is my pub of choice in Soho and I agree with others that despite it's popularity ,it is worth visiting for the interesting interior details,good ale and friendly atmosphere.
On 20th October 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Dog & Duck
A Nicholson's pub on two storeys, small and loads of character. The downstairs bar is pleasant with traditional mirrored and tiled walls, a haven for drinkers, while the upstairs concentrates on food. Eight ales on, I had a pint of Nutty Black, a deviation from my normal choice but one I don't regret - it was perfectly kept and most enjoyable. Well worth dropping in for a pint, though I found the place a bit too cramped to enjoy the food. I would happily include on a future crawl.
On 28th March 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3285 recommendations about 3250 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Dog & Duck
Will agree with the other reviewers that this is a good Soho watering hole. As several others have mentioned it is quite a small corner pub, both in the downstairs bar area with adjoining room to the side and then even smaller in the upstairs room which is all comfortable seating and does have its own bar but I’ve never seen it operational.
Very nice traditional decor and a good place for a decent pint, especially if you can get a seat, which in my experience is rarely. As it was again during my last visit on an evening between Christmas and new year when it was standing room only.
But I had a decent pint of Landlord before moving on.
On 19th January 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Dog & Duck
Absolutely fantastic pub! Its not big downstairs but the decor is amazing, lots of tiles, perch seating mirrors and wood.
8 different real ales of good quality, there is a try before you buy policy. Food is also available.
A must visit pub.
On 15th June 2010
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Dog & Duck
London Pride, Landlord and Thwaites Lancaster Bomber on, one pump unused. The beer quality was good and 2.95 for this location is acceptable too. Some good quality wood panelling, but a narrow area quickly filled.
A historic pub worth a look for the fine tiled interior, supplemented by large ornate mirrors. A small seating area to the rear with shelf seating opposite the bar. The Orwell bar and dining room upstairs gives further options. Various sausages seem to be the pub speciality. The descent and return from the gents is somewhat perilous, as the door opens across the steep staircase.
On 7th September 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]