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Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Thursday, 25th January 2024
With picture contributions to 12043 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (23 more images)
Detail Pages
The French House, Soho, W1
W1
W1D 5BG
Served areas
Reviews of The French House (Average Rating: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The French House
I had to come here because I was doing Camra heritage pubs on this visit to London, but I didn't fancy a keg beer, and what better place to have a coffee than the French House? It had only just gone 12 noon, and there were a few pubs to do, so it seemed like a wise move. There were three members of staff crammed into the tiny space behind the bar - it looked very inefficient but my coffee took a normal amount of time to prepare and was a normal kind of price too (£3.50). They were friendly though, and didn't seem to mind me chiming in with answers for their general knowledge crossword - though the answer for frozen rain should surely have been hail rather than snow, as the crossing letters suggested. As a heritage pub this one is a bit of an oddity - if I hadn't read about it beforehand I'd probably have thought "scruffy back street local" and walked on by, but its history gives it some interest. I spent the short time it took to drink my coffee looking around at the photos of famous Frenchmen on the walls - the ones that weren't immediately identifiable for their fame were instantly, recognisably French.
Date of visit: 9th January 2024
On 25th February 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 4156 recommendations about 3829 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about The French House
What to say about this place? It’s unique, and I like that. I’m sure some people won’t. Only half pints at £3 a go, no real ale so I tried the NZ Pale and some kind of French lager. Full of Soho’s ‘wonderful’ characters at Friday 3pm, many drinking wine. The place was absolutely buzzing, this is still a thriving and characterful pub despite the awful beer choice. Very cramped so I propped up the bar throughout my visit. Glad I did it and I will probably do it again, it’s fun!
On 16th July 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1150 recommendations about 1112 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The French House
Quite odd that I am at odds with most reviewers below except Ian Mapp who has certainly changed his tune from his 2016 review. I found a bustling boozer absoloutely oozing atmosphere, character and history, after visiting my three previous faceless pubs in Fitzrovia this was like walking into heaven, the only downside being the lack of cask ale. The walls are adorned with black and white photos , some signed of actors and artists from the 50s,60s and 70s, many of whom undoubtedly frequented the pub. I'm docking a point for no cask but its still worth an 8 for me.
On 30th December 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2083 recommendations about 2053 pubs]
View more reviews of The French House (13)
Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
- Official site of The French House - www.frenchhousesoho.com
- Randomness Guide to London - French House entry
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The French House - whatpub.com
- Historic Pub Interiors - pubheritage.camra.org.uk
London Waterloo, 1.41 miles, 27 min walk (show)
London Euston, 1.48 miles, 28 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Car Park : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Darts : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Function Room : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : No - Banned. - last updated 23 August 2016 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No - Banned. - last updated 23 August 2016 by Tris C
- Live Music : No - Banned. - last updated 23 August 2016 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : No - Banned. - last updated 23 August 2016 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No - Banned. - last updated 23 August 2016 by Tris C
- Pool Table : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Quiz Night : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : No last updated 02 August 2015 by Pub SignMan
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _
- WiFi : No last updated 19 February 2016 by Quinno _