The Old Coffee House

Despite the name, this is a laidback, traditional boozer with old fashioned décor and a lack of pretension, something which is becoming a rarity for venues in and around Soho. Ironically, it derives its name from the fact that it was once a coffee house run by the Temperance movement, who strictly opposed drinking alcohol.

The music in the background is cheesy (80s and 90s ‘classics’) and they don’t mix up fancy cocktails, but if a quiet pint and a chat are sought in the area The Old Coffee House is a sure contender.

Most beer drinkers will find their thirst appeased by the offer of Heineken, Fosters, Stella and Amstel on draught amongst others, with the cost of most pints being £3.

To add interest to an otherwise simple layout, the walls have been filled to the point of clutter with old photographs, war posters and other memorabilia – including, somewhat bizarelly, a stuffed bird. A widescreen TV shows sports and pots and pans hang from the ceiling in a mish-mash of rustic and modern.

It remains fairly peaceful throughout the day save for the odd tourist, however The Old Coffee House is just a little bit too hidden away from the main points of interest for many visitors. There is plenty of seating, although on busy evenings throngs of after-work drinkers spill out onto the pavement, particularly during warmer months.