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Detail Pages
Horse & Groom, Fitzrovia, W1
W1
W1W 6PS
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Horse & Groom
A late 18th-century pub which I suspect has been rebuilt in the 19th.
The front has attractive bow windows, but as mentioned in a previous review, it's hard to tell what's original and what's come from Humphrey's workshop. There are Victorian wood flourishes and some etched and cut windows. There's an ornate neo-Georgian bar back and a chequered lino floor. Furniture is conventional and as noticed by the previous reviewer, wallpaper all looks a bit William Morris; décor is equine. There were few customers in here, unlike the Cock and they were all a bit laddish.
The landlord was friendly and any prohibitions on the use of phones or foul language have been lifted; cardless is also accepted here. No real ale here, indeed no Old Brewery on keg either, likewise MIB lager, me having to plump for the Taddy lager at a very pricey (for SS) £2.60 a half.
This place is ok, but the lack of real ale, especially one not from this brewer, means I'm unlikely to return. Humphrey's Cock round the corner is a better pub and has OB on cask.
On 10th October 2021
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1982 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Horse & Groom
Wondering in to tick it off as part of the Sam’s Pub Challenge I have to admit I didn’t immediately recognise this one as a revisit, maybe the Imperial Stout at the Grey had done its job. Realisation was swift in coming when my pint of Man in a Box was pretty flat and grotty, so it seems bar and cellar quality here is no better than it was four years back (noted that there is no cask OBB now). Sat in the rear room which, whilst ostensibly pleasant with a fire on the go, was still chilly. Probably the poorest Sam’s in London, unfortunately.
July 2015
Sam Smiths outlet. Usual SS turn of the century stylings; brown and cream chequerboard flooring, curved and dark wood bar, nice etched glasswork on the opposite wall to bar. Beyond this main bar is another room with William Morris style wallpaper, broken up by a wood and glass partition. Mention elsewhere of darts but I didn’t spot it. Lounge and food bar upstairs. Nicely tiled gents of pa(i)ssing interest. Cask OBB available and for once not freezing cold. However there was kerfuffle elsewhere with the Taddy which was agreed by all to taste of line cleaner, though the friendly lass behind the bar was clueless as to what needed to be done. Mind you she barely looked like she’d sat her GCSEs. Based on that I think one visit here is enough for me. Rated 5
On 22nd January 2020
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Horse & Groom
I can never tell with Sam Smiths pubs how much is well-preserved and how much is reproduction. I rather liked this one with its understated decor - I can imagine Humphrey getting discounted quantities of the sort of dull paint colours that are always left on the shelf until reaching their best-before dates. There are three rooms here, with the two at the back having high ceilings and a shared skylight, and a real fire. On the bar is a modest selection of keg offerings, with no hand pumps. My half of stout was a pretty decent drink, and the post-work atmosphere on a quiet Monday was friendly, as was the service.
On 15th January 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3733 recommendations about 3470 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Horse & Groom
Attractive Sam Smith's house, despite the initially dull-looking brown façade (although this does feature an unusual three-part bow window between the two front doors if you take the time to look). There isn't a great deal of seating in the 'L'-shaped saloon bar; just three small tables under the windows and a few high stools. However, the two lounge-type rooms to the rear are comfortably old-fashioned, and the food bar and another lounge can be found upstairs (never visited). All dark wood and wallpaper, as you would expect, plus a selection of etched and cut glass. Also has a few wooden picnic benches out front which catch the afternoon sun. Just OBB (£3.10) from the three handpumps, of course, but this is still a decent spot for a quick pint.
On 9th July 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Horse & Groom
Sam Smith's pub so as you would expect an ornate old interior as described below. Usual Sam Smith's selection.
On 27th March 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Horse & Groom
The Horse and Groom is an attractive Victorian Sam Smiths pub located roughly halfway up Great Portland Street. The main bar, accessible through two front doors, each denoting ‘Saloon Bar’ in etched glass, is typical of many of Sam Smiths London pubs. The floor is tiled and there is some fine etched glasswork in the front windows and in a series of mirrors hung on the right hand wall. The room is L-shaped, as is the attractive servery (complete with fish tank) and seating is limited to a couple of small tables and a row of bar stools. At the rear there is a very homely looking lounge area with banquette seating and a fireplace (a sign above the door says it is a ‘snug with a real open fire’, but it looked fake to me). This room can be accessed from the main bar, which involves passing through a darts area, or via a corridor which runs down the left hand side of the pub.
Upstairs there is a rather bland room which is currently being refitted with a small bar in one corner. The room is carpeted and has sofas and large round tables with standard chairs, as well as a fireplace on the end wall. The room used to play host to live music and will be of interest to fans of the Manic Street Preachers, as the band played their first ever London gig here in 1989 – a show that resulted in them getting their first record deal.
The usual Sam Smith products were available at the bar, with the Old Brewery Bitter in keg format only. The barmaid served up a woefully short measure and when asked for a top up, returned a marginally better effort. Aside from that, I found the staff to be a very personable bunch, especially the young barman who was cracking jokes with anyone who’d listen.
As with most Sam Smiths pubs, you’re most likely here for the interior rather than the beer, and if this is the case, you won’t be disappointed. The friendly service elevates this place above other similar pubs and I’d be happy to spend a bit more time in here soaking up the atmosphere.
On 10th October 2012
- 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 Horse & Groom
The Horse & Groom is a fine example of a beautiful Victorian pub just a few minutes’ walk from Oxford Street. It’s part of the Samuel Smith's stable of traditional pubs in the area and is an attractive pub with some pleasing original features, including etched and cut glass mirrors and mahogany panelling.
There is plenty of original tiling both inside and outside and the internal decor is mainly what looks like the original dark woodwork. The pub is divided into four separate sections which includes a front room which is mainly for standing, a more comfortable intimate back room with cosy bench seating and a fireplace and then an additional comfortable bar area upstairs. And last but no means least a separate middle area dedicated to darts.
As the reviewer has mentioned below its one large weakness is the lack of real ale and there is only the SS Keg offerings available.
However I think Rex is a little harsh in his rating and although i take the point there is plenty of other very good traditional SS houses with their real ale range in the area, I still like to pop into this one as the internal decor is worth a quick half of Keg OBB.
On 10th July 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Horse & Groom
This is another very attractive Sam Smith’s pub, retaining what looks like all the original Victorian tiling on the exterior. The inside also has that “brown bar” appearance that I find very welcoming and comfortable. But they don’t even have the handpump version of OBB on. So, this is yet another Sam Smith’s pub that is severely diminished, in my opinion, by the absence of anything that I enjoy drinking. But if you like the keg version of OBB, or the Sam Smith’s range of lagers, then you will probably regard this as a good pub.
On 3rd November 2009
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Horse & Groom
As you enter this pub you come to the main bar area which was being managed by a very nice barman. The usual Sam Smiths selection is available and like so many SS pubs there is no hand pump for the OBB. At the rear of the pub there is a smaller room with a dartboard which was being enjoyed by a group of lads which gave this pub a bit of a vibe, which I find unusual for SS. There is a lounge bar upstairs, but as my visit was before 18:00 I was unable to investigate as it was closed.
I'd pop in again if passing.
On 11th June 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5228 recommendations about 5196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about Horse & Groom
A Samuel Smith pub. Usual range of lagers, but their two ales are on gas rather than hand pump. Has an upstairs lounge where they serve food. Very ornate mirrors on one wall and pictures of grey shire horses on another. Has a back area with comfy seats, also has a small area with a dartboard. Also has seating outside.
On 8th January 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]