Address: 51-52 Chandos Pl, London, WC2N 4HS, United Kingdom
Phone: +442073790367
Rating: 4.5
based on 164 reviews.
Atmosphere
Pros:
"It’s always a great atmosphere and is fabulous for music."
"Honestly, one of the best pubs I've been to in years. Perfect hospitality in a perfect environment."
"Really lively pub with lots of music where many people even sing along."
"One of London's hidden gems. Quiet and cozy."
"Great atmosphere, loud, raucous but friendly."
"Best pub in London! I've never witnessed a place with such a great atmosphere."
"The clientele this attracts, regulars and visitors alike, create a great atmosphere."
Cons:
"The music is way too loud. Almost impossible to talk."
"Music was so loud I couldn't hear myself think."
"Very loud on a busy Saturday night though and I couldn't even hear my friends speak so if you want to chat try elsewhere."
"The only thing that spoilt it was the barman who sported a bit of designer stubble/beard. Quite arrogant and really condescending."
"Awful hygiene 'standards.'... Considering covid 19 is still very much around, this is extremely alarming to see."
"Have deducted a star because, inexplicably, there is a large TV screen going all day, which definitely isn’t why people go to a pub like that."
"Not a fan of this pub's layout, it feels like you're in the way everywhere, it's cramped inside and out."
Service
Pros:
"A big shout out to Tabitha who served us in there who was great."
"Great beer, friendly service."
"Been here a few times. For being so close to the busiest bits of London this is a great little pub with friendly staff, good service and good selection of drinks."
"The landlord and staff are great, always good fun and always playing great music."
"Friendly, helpful, cheerful, efficient, professional staff."
"The service from the barmaid was top notch, she was very friendly and sympathetic. 🙂"
"The staff were really friendly and quick and the pub food (fish & chips and burgers) was perfect."
Cons:
"Ate upstairs in the restaurant and service was lacking at best... it was still ice cold in the middle so it hadn’t been microwaved completely."
"There was only one person serving for a while and our dirty plates were left for a fair amount of time."
"Service is pretty timely although a little inattentive."
"Awful hygiene 'standards.'... The man with long hair behind the bar was sniffing constantly and coughing all over the glasses and bottles behind the bar without covering his mouth or wearing a mask."
"Went in for a quick meal before going to the theatre. It was anything but. The service was terribly slow in the upstairs dining area..."
"The only thing that spoilt it was the barman who sported a bit of designer stubble/beard. Quite arrogant and really condescending."
"Can get busy on a Friday evening - and the bars not huge, so service can be slow."
Food & Drink
Pros:
"The food was good, the beer was tasty."
"Good food served fast - as they say."
"The bangers and mash were wonderful and the burger gets good feedback as well."
"So welcoming! Amazing food, great music and the incredible team of Meg, Holly and Beth sorted us out with bangin' bangers and mash at short notice."
"The draught beers were ace, we tried to Solar Wave hazy IPA and a London Pride!"
"Food was nice and lots of beers to choose from."
"The food is very delicious (i ordered the vegetable sausages), the staff is very friendly."
Cons:
"Ate upstairs in the restaurant and service was lacking at best... it was still ice cold in the middle so it hadn’t been microwaved completely."
"If you want some quick grub, it's ok. They had run out of pies, and the bangers and mash has lumpy mash and gravy that might have come from a box."
"The Caesar Chicken Burger was disappointing and dry, as was Posh Fish Finger Bap, which was flavorless."
"Everything was great until the food was served... The meat was dry and chewy, the vegetables most likely frozen and only steamed (so tasteless), the gravy probably from a can..."
"I'm fussy with food and thought the fish and chips could have been bigger but that's because I was hungry."
"Wouldn’t say the food is what you go here for but I didn’t try a lot so can’t really say."
"Styled with a musical theme felt very cool. Service was good. Beer however has pretty poor when I visited."
Music & Decor
Pros:
"Musically themed decor which makes it stand out a bit from the other pubs in the area."
"Really liked the record player playing tunes with the option of requesting songs and the general retro feel of the place."
"Brilliant pub, ex drinking haunt of Charles Dickens. It's known for its vinyl playing records and has great vibe about it."
"Any pub/bar that plays vinyl and takes requests is alright!"
"They were spinning records behind the bar, patrons were singing and dancing..."
"Great selection of songs being played on vinyl turntable behind bar (loved it)."
"They play vinyl and you can request a song."
Cons:
"The music is way too loud. Almost impossible to talk."
"Music was so loud I couldn't hear myself think."
"Very loud on a busy Saturday night though and I couldn't even hear my friends speak so if you want to chat try elsewhere."
"The live music was of questionable quality!"
"Styled with a musical theme felt very cool. Service was good. Beer however has pretty poor when I visited."
"Not a fan of this pub's layout, it feels like you're in the way everywhere, it's cramped inside and out."
"Have deducted a star because, inexplicably, there is a large TV screen going all day, which definitely isn’t why people go to a pub like that."
Value & Location
Pros:
"Been here a few times. For being so close to the busiest bits of London this is a great little pub with friendly staff, good service and good selection of drinks."
"One of London's hidden gems. Quiet and cozy."
"Absolute treasure in the West End! Superb!"
"Nice little central London bar - not far from Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden."
"Drinks prices were on par with our local which is not in London."
"The prices are moderately expensive, but cheaper than the ones of the region."
"This pub also accepts Amex, so I'll be back!"
Cons:
"£5 for a pint is too much in my opinion, but it seems normal for London."
"Very expensive but not overly given the area and it was very cramped as the upstairs had been booked for a private function."
"It is a small pub with seemingly friendly staff, when I asked for a normal gin and tonic I got a flavoured one and paid £12 for a double."
"Ordered x2 single vodka & diet cokes, x1 vodka & tonic and x1 lager dash which came to a little under £24 .... not too bad for London really."
"Can get busy on a Friday evening - and the bars not huge, so service can be slow."
"It can get busy making finding somewhere to sit tricky and it's a smallish bar."
"Not a fan of this pub's layout, it feels like you're in the way everywhere, it's cramped inside and out."