please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I have to confess that this is not so much a review as a rant against the destruction that the Crossrail project has wrought on this area. As well as this lovely pub, we have lost at least one other in addition to the destruction of not one, not two, but three live music venues (Astoria, Mean Fiddler, Metro) and countless other shops and businesses. I know that it is being done in the name of progress and that unfortunately sometimes old things have to be removed to make way for other equally wonderful new developments, but at present I really am struggling to see how in terms of things like culture, entertainment and community the project in question can ever hope to adequetely replace all that we have lost in its name. That is truly saddening. Functionality is great for survival, but ultimately what is life worth without the things that make a life worth living and enjoying?
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Now closed due to Crossrail.
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Nice traditional pub at the northern end of Soho that hasn't been given the modernisation treatment at all and is all the better for it. That is not to say the pub is run down as it is not.
There are enough tables to offer comfortable seating on the midweek evening I visited and I would come back here to meet friends or even spend an evening.
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Really liked this little boozer on the fringes of Soho. Oldish-fashioned pub that is good to stop into for a chat over a few pints with your friends. Nice atmosphere mostly generated through the steady hum of background conversation but enhanced by some non-intrusive, mainstream classic pop music.
Seating is comfortable and comparitively plentiful. Bar Staff were very welcoming and quick and drinks were reasonably priced particularly for this locale. Draft beers were good, the choice for lager drinkers better than for real ale but nonetheless all beers of both types seemed to be of good quality.
Really cosey little hiding hole from the hustle and bustle of this part of the West End and worth a visit.
They had a comedy night on upstairs too, which shows that they offer some entertainment as well which makes me like this place even more.
The loos need work though! Although big enough overall the bizarre outlay of the Gents means that it is seemingly impossible to get in or out or to the basin and hand drier without having to queue or backtrack to allow someone past even if they are less than a quarter full.
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Odd little pub that I have walked past many times. This time we went in. Evening of Saturday 22nd. Not very busy which meant we got a table. Ale was OK, price was average, Bar staff OK.
Its a fair place to stop if you are in the area and fancy a quick quiet drink rather than fight to get to the bar in the nearby pubs that are rammed full.
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I found the staff to be friendly enough on my visit Friday night. Greene King IPA, Morland Original and Abbott Ale were all available alongside the usual lager suspects.
Nothing about this pub really stands out, but it did shut at 23:30.
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Been in here a few times over the years it's it's always been a reasonable, but distinctly average, old fashioned pub.
Went in last night however and was treated really badly by the staff.
Both the bar person and the manager (who I had to go and find myself) refused to accept that we'd been served a completely flat pint of Peroni. Their argument was that some people over there drinking the same lager hadn't complained. Those people, however, all agreed that my pint was flat. Believe me, this was a flat pint.
After a couple of minutes arguing the manager reluctantly, and rather rudely, gave me some money back (still not accepting that anything was wrong). We decided not to get a pint of anything else and to take our money elsewhere (not like there's a shortage of pubs around there!).
About 10 minutes later (as we were leaving) the Peroni was mysteriously taken off because off. Despite us being sat right next to the manager, there was no suggestion of an apology or even an admission that there had been a problem.
I won't be going back there. Not worth the risk of this sort of arrogant rudeness.
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Nice little pub with excellent staff. Ale not to pricy when you compare with other pubs in London. :)
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seems an ok place, had some good afternoon drinks in here,never been in at night so i couldnt say how busy it gets
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They seemed to have rearranged things on the ground floor, and the quizzer is gone.
The quizzer was the sole attraction for me, apart from the pub dog sleeping in the middle of the floor as if this was a sleepy country pub rather than a busy and anonymous west end boozer.
There's a comedy night upstairs on Friday and Saturday, �5, run by aggressive guy, compered by someone who puts the acts to shame.
anonymous - 26 Nov 2006 12:28 |
A rather typical West End pub with a single room downstairs bar and a function / overflow room upstairs. The downstairs bar is L shaped, not particularly spacious and getting a bit tatty in places. The carpets are wearing a bit thin and the dark red ceiling paper is beginning to show signs of age. Note the unusual front zig-zaggy windows. Can get extremely busy and very rarely have I been able to find anywhere to sit. Decently kept beers (IPA / Abbott / Morland - seems to be creeping into a few pubs around town) at reasonable prices. Wall displays of keys, suitcases, cigarette cards, old watches and old signs. Lots of wood paneling and the windows let in a reasonable natural light. Background music is rather nondescript. 2 well placed TVs and a games machine. I have found the service pretty good even when busy. Tends to attract a general West End mix of office workers and tourists and pretty much a trouble free environment but can be a bit smoky (no non smoking area). The resident dog tends to ignore you and is usually found slumped across the doorway. Not much to separate it from several other pubs in the area but worth staying a while if you can bag a place to sit.
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I'm not sure what this place will do once the smoking ban comes into force because when I went the fug was so thick it was effectively part of the furniture, and will take some removing. Nonetheless, we ordered food, and it was as bland as Steve Davis before he had his personality overhaul. Perhaps it was a bad day. I'm surprised the dog has lived as long as it has.
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I have been here about three times and rather like it. Nice relaxed atmosphere and seems to do decent business with a mixed crowd. The quizzer is very good I recall. Drinkwise it is pretty uninspiring but pubs like this usually are.
anonymous - 15 Feb 2006 14:35 |
I like the Bath House a lot. Tolerable mixture of mainstream soul CDs whacked on in the evening, but not too loud so you can still have a nice chat.
The bar staff are friendly and actually remember what you're drinking. I've got very merry on lots of occasions there, one time losing my bag, which the staff kept safe for me to collect the next day.
The biggest downside is the prices, but what can you expect when drinking in Soho?
Oh yeah and the pub dog is lovely and his name is Bollinger I think
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Great food, fast service, best pint of Guinnes I've had in a long while. Koronenburg Blanc on tap too.
Nice and relaxed, ideal lunching location.
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Decided to try out this pub one day when I was wandering about town. Very impressed with it. Has a relaxed atmosphere and the beers on offer were good quality. Ended up enjoying several jars of Greene King.
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Nice and relaxed pub, great view if you can manage to get the window seats ;)
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Opposite a Tesco Local where every attractive woman in London seems to do her shopping.
Excellent views all round.
MackR - 20 May 2005 16:09 |
A regular haunt of mine. A laid back, comfortable, proper boozer complete with a pub dog. A good winter pub, and you can generally get a table on a saturday night, which is always a bonus when you're after a quiet beer and a chat.
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A fantastic place. I stumbled across this place on a previous visit and just want to keep going back. One of the first adjendas I have when arriving in London is to visit the Bath House. The staff are fantastic and hard working (sometimes too hardworking for a chat). The atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable, just like being on your lounge at home. The Sunday roast is to die for and the pints are perfect. I totally disagree with the negative comments mentioned below. Go and enjoy yourself at the Bath House.
Adam - 8 Nov 2004 23:34 |
Wondering what the history of the Bath House pub is in Dean Street? The SOHO Soc. doesn't know. Where was the original Bath House that the pub was named after? CJB.
Chris Brady - 26 Sep 2004 15:49 |
Pretty average place. Has a bit of atmosphere and is worth popping in for one if you're doing a crawl through Soho.
Jack Knight - 24 Aug 2004 17:21 |
Gone a long way downhill over the last few years, sloppy service from unattentive staff (usually just the one working, even during obviously busy periods). Draught not kept or served as well as it should.
Ben - 1 Apr 2004 19:51 |
The Bath House is the best in Soho, Nellie Deans is like been in someone's front living room, and service is not all that and poorley poured pints. The Bath House does get very busy (hence it been one of the best in soho)The staff are friendly, yes the music may be a bit loud on occassions, but hey, god gave you a mouth, use it to ask them to turn it down, instead of whimpering on this site!!!
it does work, trust me!!!
Keith - 25 Jan 2004 18:41 |
A huge disappointment. Looks gorgeous on the outside, not so good on the inside..shame really as it looked v promising. Very loud music so not conducive to having a chat over your drinks.
anonymous - 14 Jan 2004 18:25 |
Nelle Dean of Soho 'Light'. More of the same, only not as good, if you know what I mean.
Good for: If the Nelle Dean is rammed
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One of my locals when I worked in Wardour Street. The top bar became a Pizza Hut for a while! Before that, one lunchtime, we waited 45 minutes for our order to arrive, and it was all wrong when it did. One guy had chilli and green peas (instead of rice), another had just chilli. When he asked for rice or peas, the reply was a sharp 'no!'. We often drank there at lunchtime although service was slow. Like the Nelly Dean, they only opened upstairs at certain times and if they had the staff to cover, but I always had to get my pint of draft Pedigree from the downstairs bar.
congokid - 8 Nov 2003 18:44 |
I had some good memories of this pub, but like Richard said it seems to have gone downhill.
Lager was warm - I don't know if that was just because they were so slow cleaning glasses that they were taking them out of the machine to use.
The pub itself was really hot, and then suddenly the air conditioning came on and completely froze me for a couple of mins, then it was hot again!
Bar staff definitely weren't friendly.
There are a lot of good pubs in London (even down Dean St) so sadly this one is dropping off my favourites list.
Matt - 18 Jul 2003 15:31 |
Gah! I used to think this was a nice pub. A visit last night proved I was very much mistaken.
Despite having nice beers (London Pride, Hoegarden, Stella), last nights service was atrocious. Poorly poured beer, and despite top up requests, just got surly looks and more foam.
Staff were also in a habit of pinching pint glasses with plenty of beer (1-2inches remaining) from the bar, and not one member of staff smiled all evening. Oh, and 'time' was called very early indeed.
Last, but not least, why on earth is the top bar perpetually closed? It gets busy downstairs, and opening upstairs - even just for seating space - would seem like a sensible thing.
Go figure. Personally, I don't intend to visit this pub again.
Richard L - 18 Jul 2003 13:23 |
Have to diagree with 'Ruby'. It's never so 'crowded' so that you get uncomfortable, and 'dull' is not a word I'd use to describe it. Functional maybe. Can't remember too many 'tossers' in there either (apart from that time my ex-girlfriend gatecrashed a night out with my mates!)
Bomber - 16 Jul 2003 18:00 |
Surprised this hasn't been added ages ago. Not a bad boozer. One of the 'quaint' Soho ones. Apparently favoured at one time by 'Ginger' Evans and the rowdy younger Gallagher brother.
The upstairs is pretty quiet and decent. It's a perfect no-frills 'pint, crisps and peanuts' pub with good enough lagers and export.
Haven't been there for a while though, possibly because it's normally crowded and frequently dull. And largely full of tossers.
Ruby - 15 Jul 2003 11:48 |
