please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Well known pub in the heart of Soho
5 ales on which were Fuller's "London Pride", Sharp's "Doom Bar", Tim Taylor's "Landlord", Greene King "Revolver" and Cottage Brewery "Golden Arrow". I had the Golden Arrow it started off bad but got better after more sups and by the end of the pint it was pleasant.
Quaint pub with interesting church seats that run along the 2 front windows of the pub. There are also lots of plants inside.
There's a £2.00 charity book sale going on and the television was on but on mute.
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Decent quality ale, but bland choice.
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Busy-ish corner pub in Soho. One room downstairs, with the bar along one side and tables on the other. Additional seating upstairs.
Five ales on - Landlord, London Pride, Wandle (Sambrooks), 80 Shilling (Caledonian) and Harvey's - at around �3.40 a pint. All seemed to be in decent nick.
Only two people serving at the bar, so took a little while to get a beer, especially as most people were trying to pay by card.
If you want to stand on the pavement outside to drink, you have to have your pint in a plastic glass.
Two TVs showing football, although with the sound off so not too intrusive if you didn't fancy it.
Children are welcome, as long as they are seated.
Food served until 5pm.
Agree with the previous poster about the low ceiling going down to the gents'. Plenty of warning signs but sure I'd smack my head if I had had a few to drink.
Decent enough atmosphere and definitely among the better pubs in which I have drunk in the area.
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The best of 3 pubs we tried in the Soho area last night. Nellie Dean's was fairly busy. It is a single bar pub with a few tables and little standing room. 5 real ales were on - Fullers London Pride, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Meantime London Pale Ale, Sambrooks Wandle & Jennings The World Biggest Liar. I sampled the Jennings brew, which was quite enjoyable. Football was showing on the TV and music was being played. Agree with the remarks about the Gents. But it seems many of Soho's pub have similar problems with their toilets due to lack of space. I probably will return here. Although I do prefer the Dog and Duck.
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Not a bad little place with a good drink selection all round for all tastes...great restaurant opposite as well!
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Well this has to be my favourite pub in Soho. Cheap offers on double spirits, range of bar snacks (with interesting crisp flavours) and well-priced food during the day. If you can put up with the low ceiling on the way to the men's toilet (so I've been told, all the guys from work complain about it!!!), then this is an interesting, honest, old-fashioned pub. The security lady (I think her name is Deirdre?) is also really nice. Definitely worth a visit.
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Visited for a pre-theatre drink. We were disappointed by the range of real ales available, having found the pub via CAMRA. Only London Pride and Deuchars IPA available on tap. Staff were efficient, but could not be said to be friendly. A convenient enough little pub, but nothing in particular to go back for.
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I dropped into the Nellie Dean on Friday 21/5/10.
Despite all the bad comments posted here, I had a wonderful few beers. Excellent service from staffs that were friendly enough to chat regardless of how busy they were.
A very cosy little place that has a great atmosphere.
I met a lovely girl name Kim who turned out to be the owner and had a good laugh with her,,,, I can't believe she fell for the aftershave trick. Lol.
She gave me a free drink just to try it out and, although I've forgotten what it was, it was excellent,,,, what free drink wouldn't be.
I would definately recommend this place as a genuinely warm and friendly bar,,,, that gives away it's pasties for free at the end of the night if they haven't sold.
Great little bar, great staffs and excellently friendly clientelle.
If you DO try it, tell Kim JD says hi.
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A pub that has a few locals and a lot of tourists. Unfortunately on my visit the locals had been to a football match and had brought back the fooball supporter mentality with them which is a shame. I assume they were locals as the bar staff knew them by name. Apart from that the beer was looked after well, but I will agree with the last post that the choice was not very inspiring. The barstaff were the saving grace though and were absolutely excellent and knew exactly whose turn it was to be served next. The major thing I thought this pub was missing was a soul.
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The wife and I popped in for a quick one (drink) before our evening meal on saturday. I had a very nice pint of Courage Best. The pub was very busy but we managed to find the last available seats. The ale selection wasn't exciting - Green King IPA, Deuchars IPA and the Courage were the only ales on. There isn't really much on offer to entice me back but I'd probably pop in if I was nearby and needed to quench the thirst.
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My first visit to Nellie's for a couple of years left me truly agog.
On ordering 3 pints of 6X I was somewhat confused to find each pint was an inch short of a full pint. I questioned this with the bartender. He said, "the beer's ran out".... Amazed, I looked at the beer and said, "well it's clearly significantly short of a pint (not to mention cloudy), do you not have another barrel?" He said "no" and mysteriously took one of the pints and started pulling the pump again in the hope that it would miraculously generate more 6X. Having achieved nothing more than to blow air into my pint he then did something that I have never seen before and never, ever want to see again. Without even the remotest speckle of inconspicuousness, HE LIFTED UP THE DRIP TRAY, FILLED MY PINT UP AND PLONKED IT DOWN IN FRONT OF ME!!!!!!!!
I was truly speechless. So speechless that I struggled to form any words. Mere primal sounds were emitted. When I finally managed to gain my breath, I tried to articulate to the man why this was unacceptable practice. He really didn't see the problem with it. Agog I summoned the senior bartender and told him what had occurred. He was very apologetic but far from shocked. This worried me greatly. Firstly none of my barstaff would ever have done this (as training would have present) and secondly, were it to have happened in my pub, they would simply not have had a job any more. It's just unacceptable.
It is a sin to serve the last few silt laden, cloudy pints of the barrel anyway but it is a cardinal sin to top up a pint with drip tray contents!! I still can't quite get my head around it.
The pub itself is a nice little boozer but the pub's committed hari-kiri in my mind I'm afraid.
So basic. What a disaster.
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Visited last night for a 'quick one'. Had two pints of 6X, which was in good condition. Efficient service and I managed to get a seat. Nothing special however I would visit again.
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Smally slightly shabby Soho corner pub of which there are a number in the vicinity. There's nothing particularly wrong with this pub but if you're looking for something small and quietish (at least during the middle of the week when I last visited) then the nearby Dog and Duck and Bath House are superior alternatives.
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Oh and that was probably me not Brad Pitt ledges.
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The IPA was a bit sour but liked the vibe. Staff were quick and coped very well with the summer Friday night rush.
Mind those stairs to the lavs though. I'm only 5'7" and even I had to duck. Don't fancy your chances if your 6ft+
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'Muggaz' describes this is as "a nice little boozer tucked away from the usual mayhem of Soho", but on a Friday night you will find several hundred people standing out in the road (and not just the pavement) outside. Greene King IPA, Deuchars and Courage Best on, all OK but none in excellent condition.
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A nice little boozer tucked away from the usaul mayhem of Soho. Good place to meet mates before heading off some place else on a Saturday night or an great afternoon boozer - never had a problem getting a drink and the prices are reasonable with friendly staff. The stairs to the toilet make me feel like I am alice in wonderland - and thats only after one pint - that makes it all worth while.
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Nice little pub with very reasonable prices for Soho although not great ladies loos. Last visit definitely perked up by Brad Pitt also enjoying a pint!
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Excellent value for food/beer for the West End.Tasty snacks,Soave only �7 for a bottle.Efficient welcoming bar staff..will return next time in area.
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I had a very enjoyable night playing pool in the upstairs bar last week with a few friends. The pool table is in the middle of the room and you have to constantly ask people to shuffle out of the way for some shots, but we got too meet some colourful characters. The staff were generally pleasant and the offerings of IPA, 6X, Courage Best, Deuchars, Hoegarden, Staropramen and standard lagers seemed to be flowing well. No real ale is served upstairs, as is the case in most pubs, but the staff were pretty fast at knocking the drinks out in the main bar which has a plasma screen and an old TV, although these were both off during my visit.
The walk down to the toilet is treacherous as the ceiling does not clear the steps by more than 5.5 feet, so mind your head after a few beers.
I liked it in here and would gladly return.
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Average Soho pub with average pint of 6X. Also had GK IPA and Courage. Would not rush back.
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This pub is nothing great but it's not bad either.
Good bar staff, okay selection of beers and a good place to meet up for a couple.
Not a place to spend the whole evening/afternoon but worth having a few beers and trying to get down to the toilet (definitely not for those with vertigo).
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Been here the second time last night
It's a lovely little Soho boozer just off of Oxford Street, so convenient from the hustle and bustle of all the shoppers, yet busy enough to have life in it. Good old fashioned lighting create a mood of tranqulity, and reminds you of what boozers should look like.
Reasonable Wadsworth 6X (neither a great lover or hater) while listening to rock. Amazed that the Ship down the road is considered rock comapred to this place - it had Rainbow (oh dear) and Deep Purple playing when we were in there!
Darts board and pool table upstairs, busy all the time we were there but looked inviting.
All in all, another nice pub to choose after some time with the missus burning a hole in your current account on Oxford Street. Will return soon, and recommend to anyone
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This standards in this pub have dropped significantly.
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I visited this pub recently and was sorely disappointed. There was a narrow selection of real ales - tried the 6X which was not very well kept and cost �3.00 - expensive even for central London.
There is also a policy of not allowing you to take your glass outside - you have to get a plastic beaker if you want to drink outside and if the pub is crowded the signs telling you of this will be invisible.
After one pint decided it was time to move on to somewhere better.
Very poor experience - I won't be returning.
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I can't believe I've lived in this city for nearly 12 years now, and last Friday was the first time I stepped foot in this place. I love Soho pubs like this - traditional decor, seedy orange lighting, and odd mix of characters, so it was no surprise that I instantly fell in love with the place upon arrival. A strong selection of beers (for Soho at least), a smattering of loons around the place, rock music in the background, and even though the place was rammed shoulder to shoulder, we managed to get stools at the bar within about 10 minutes.
A new favourite.
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Unpretentious pubs are an increasing rarity in the W1 area, so it's good to see this friendly Soho boozer still going strong. A welcoming atmosphere, tons of character and well kept Deuchars makes the Nellie THE pub of choice in the Wardour st/Dean st vicinity. Good people watching in the summer.
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Refreshing indeed! Extremely friendly pub - wonderful staff, good beers and a really pleasant crowd of drinkers.
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Robin76 to be fair I was on the breakfast lager, don't seem to remember it being that pricey. Shhh, don't talk about the C2C any more, it makes me sad.
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Now that the Crown and 2 Chairmen has ceased to exist in any meaningful sense, THIS is the last bastion of decency in Soho.
Small place but friendly and pretty cheap as well.
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The Nellie was the post-work hang-out for my boyfriend's company, so have spent many a Friday night lurking within and without of this traditional london boozer. It's tiny inside - but always manages to maintain a friendly atmosphere - second bar upstairs, but you do have to negotiate the pool table taking up useful space in the centre of the room (pub too small for pool table - really!).
Summer is best - can lurk outside watching the Soho world go by - particularly entertaining watching the England team (the FA HQ is on Soho Sq.) Hummer Limo try to negotiate the corner of Dean into soho square - raucous laughter from the hundreds of amused punters watching.
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I wouldn't normally dream of being at a computer at this hour on a Friday night but feel compelled to register a P.S. to my previous review of the Nellie D. The pub remains great: the Gents (assuming you have survived the perilous descent) are nothing short of foul, and let this place down badly. Please, guys, sort it out. Otherwise we'll all have to pop to the nearest sewerage works for a more refreshing p!ss....
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nice "ordinary" pub in soho, relaxed atmosphere, dark wood interior
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I was not fortunate enough to see the stairs firsthand, but I did enjoy my first of what I hope to be many visits. The staff were kind and polite and furnished me with delicious beer. If I am honest there were a few too many architects for my liking, as they tend to lend a monochrome air to a place with their outlook, conversation and attire. I believe there are some offices of some repute in the locality. But back to the pub - yes, a good spot. Try it. You might surprise yourself. There was one particularly lovely young miss there with very curly hair and a wistful smile. Wish I'd got her number.
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Glad to see the plethora of warm reviews for this place - it deserves them. Dependable. Often busy and yet somehow you often mangage to bag a seat. Happy drinkers spill out onto the pavement in summer, a great spot to watch the freakshow of Soho. Without wishing to repeat previous comments, the stairs down to the gents are unbelievable. Hilarious in fact.
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great place - but lethal stairs and somewhat basic lavatories. Anything other than a number 1 requires a nip across the street to the toucan. not a fun place to be when you have dodgy guts.
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No food, except crisps and warm pies.
Definately fantastic beer, worth a visit soley for a decent pint!
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Really good pub, nice and relaxed pub, friendly staff and good range of beers.
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Superb pub!
Everyone very friendly, great range of beers and lots of talent!
The stairs to the gents WILL kill some drunken unfortuate one day though.
MackR - 20 May 2005 16:00 |
Great pub, particularly upstairs, which no-one seems to know about. Though, echoing the previous comment, they probably will now.
Me & my other half got our arses kicked at pool by a couple of non-husters last Saturday. The four pint rule doesn't seem to work for me any more.
Oh, and the jukebox is a bit knackered, and hardly ever bothers to play what you lovingly suggest it plays. Avoid.
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A top pub, one of the best in Soho. Always busy downstairs, but less so upstairs where there's an excellent pool table and good juke box hidden away from the masses. Probably until now when some fool has seen fit to mention it on a public website.
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Best boozer in central London, and I say that after many years and many more drunken nights. If you can get a seat, you're never far from the bar. Not sure how it has achieved this elevated status with me when the barstaff have been so consistently rude over the years, but there you go. Highly recommended nonetheless.
tomcat - 21 Oct 2004 16:45 |
Very relaxed and welcoming - good spot for quiet one, without risking boredom.
jimp - 17 Dec 2003 14:17 |
This pub is just lovely. Nice and dark, pool table upstairs with duke box. Nice clientelle. Lots of plants.
Good for: Friday nights
James - 26 Nov 2003 16:20 |
I enjoyed my visit on Friday night, The staff were good the crowd were all happy and locals seemed to be friendly. We finished in the upstairs bar and it was cosy and full of fun.
Brian - 16 Aug 2003 14:12 |
Very friendly pub, staff are always very helpfull as is current manager. A rare find in Soho/West End a decent old fashioned pub that hasn't been brought up and turned into a themed bar. Extremely good fun locals as well.
Nick - 25 Jun 2003 11:31 |
this pub is charming, staff are welcoming, beer is great, pool room bar is open every time i go and the regulars are always freindly which is rare in this town. Go there, you'll love it.
bob - 16 Jun 2003 09:26 |
staff are great love it
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Nice but quite small pub. I've found the staff to be a bit demotivated on the few occasions I've visited. The pool room upstairs has never been open when I've been there. Not a bad pub but plenty of room for improvement
Alistair - 28 Nov 2002 10:24 |
this is the only true pub left standind in Soho. It kicks ass
Mr.X |
