The 8 West End pubs you won't want to leave

Occupying a corner of Soho’s bustling Greek Street, The Coach and Horses is a good old no-frills West End boozer. The self-proclaimed “Most famous pub in Soho” eschews the gastropub homogenisation that has befallen many of its neighbours, keeping a spit and sawdust feel that’s slightly rough around the edges.

Oddly, for a modern public house, you’ll find no food menu just well-poured pints of cask ale, in surroundings that will take you back to sixties Soho. You’ll be propping up the same bar that once saw great artists such as Francis Bacon, Lucien Freud and Damien Hirst rub shoulders with the literary greats of their day.

Don’t let the picturesque shrubbery-clad exterior of Covent Garden’s Cross Keys fool you. Pass the after-work throngs and through it’s threshold, you’ll enter a dark interior lit by red bulbs that give a perma-dusk feel to this pub where you lose the concept of what time it is.

Where many tourist-focused West End pubs are devoid of personality The Cross Keys has it in abundance. With an amount of clutter that would give Marie Kondo nightmares every inch of this pub has been covered with curios, bric-a-brac and ephemera that reflect this grade II listed ale house’s rich history.

Whilst it serves sandwiches in the week and a roast on Sundays it’s the fine selection of cask ales that keeps the punters coming back to this West End boozer.

Occupying a narrow corner of Soho The Dog and Duck is a small but perfectly formed pub. The ornate drinking hole ticks all the Victorian boxes with beautifully tiled walls, mahogany panelling and antique mirrors – an aesthetic that tourists and locals alike lap up.

George Orwell was a regular, though many neighbouring drinking dens also claim this. Legend has it he once downed an absinthe in celebration when Animal Farm was picked for the American Book of the Month Club. Now more fine ales and premium lager than absinthe, you’ll have to get in early to have a chance to stand at the same bar as the author as it is packed to the rafters from 5 onwards.

Could The Dog and Duck be the inspiration behind Orwell’s Moon Under Water essay? The piece, which paints a picture of his perfect imaginary watering hole, is a sacred text to any ardent pub-goer.

You’d be forgiven for walking straight past this West End gem of a pub, the narrow unassuming exterior doesn’t immediately strike you as a pub that has won a string of awards. But those in the know, know that this is a near-ideal boozer in the heart of London.

Inside, you will find a small bar downstairs that is nearly always packed. But snake through the crowds, beer-in-hand, up the stairs at the back and you will find a haven away from the chaos of the Strand. One of the few places to sit and have a pint in peace in the West End.

The Harp is a great example of a traditional British ale house, it does the simple things well and provides blissful respite from the outside world

The Lamb and Flag reveals itself betwixt buildings, carefully tucked down an alleyway away from the ebb and flow of the bustling West End. Dickens was a regular at this pub and Dickensian is the word that springs to mind as you enter: dark varnished wood and brass and sepia-tinged mirrors adorn the walls.

History hangs in the air in this low-ceilinged hostelry, hinting at the past lives this pub has had. Such as when it was known as The Bucket of Blood for regularly holding bare-knuckle boxing matches when Covent Garden was a more violent place than it is today.

If that hasn’t put you off your food you can head upstairs to the Dickens Dining Room, luckily the Dickens references end there as you will not find gruel on the menu, rather the pub classics you’d expect and some you wouldn’t: crispy smoked sardines, anyone?

All in all, The Lamb and Flag is possibly the quintessential West End pub.

A few steps from Piccadilly Circus, The Lyric is a hidden West End pub adhering to the time-tested Victorian theme. Offering more than what you usually expect from a British pub, The Lyric boasts an attractive menu featuring an array of bottled and draught beer, fine wines, refreshing spirits and a classic pub menu.

Located in a prime location in London’s Soho area, be prepared to be welcomed by warm and friendly staff and expect a night featuring open bonfires, a cosy atmosphere and great conversations. High bar stools, warm lighting and cosy nooks make The Lyric the perfect spot to relax with a pint of beer.

A much welcome sight after a long day of exploring the West End, Mr Fogg’s Tavern is a themed drinking den taking you years back to the world of Jules Verne. Named after the protagonist of Jules Berne’s famous book Around the World in Eighty Days, this West End pub is home to friendly bar staff in themed costumes, areas covered with Union Flag buntings and Victorian-themed knick-knacks.

Home to some of London’s best gin menus, Mr Fogg's Tavern is open seven days a week so hop in to travel to the adventurous world of Jules Verne whilst you sip on freshly brewed punch. It even offers full venue hire to accommodate a party of up to 70 guests.

Classic Victorian interiors, island bar and great beers - Princess Louise offers a lot more than what meets the eye. While the cosy and small front section might make an impression of the place being cramped, don’t be disheartened as the section behind is widely spread out to entertain you and your group. With refreshing beer options provided by the Sam Smith Brewhouse, this West End Pub is a must go if you want to experience what an evening at an ancient Victorian pub felt like. Sectioned wooden walls provide you with the privacy you need while you relax and rewind with your special one.

Enter a Victorian world frozen in time while you sip on the in-house famous DIY Bloody Mary and absorb the calm yet enticing environment around you.