Pub in London WC2
Coach & Horses
42 Wellington Street, London, WC2E 7BDClosest station: Covent Garden, about 5 min walk4.6out of 5 on Google, from 937 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Coach & Horses
A typical Victorian pub experience in a narrow-fronted local hidden behind flowering baskets.
One of the smaller pubs in Covent Garden, it's a one room drinkers pub yet comfortable and warm. Mostly standing room though there are tall chairs of varying heights to sit on - at the three round tables around the side of the room, or in front of the main window etched with 'Watney Combe Reid'. One large mirror. etched 'Coach and Horses', overlooks the table and is adorned with a generous vase of fresh exotic blooms.
The back bar is recessed with a mirror in a moulded surround, highlighting the various spirits etc., available. Blogged as one of the best traditional pubs in central London. An independent pub with a lot of Irish influence and hence big Guinness sales. Very much used by locals, office workers, and occasional visitors. There's always plenty of good, odd characters in the corner who've been here since whenever!
Whatever the day, there's always for some a reason to have a bottle of 'shampoo' on the go - as if you really needed an excuse. In the heart of Theatreland, and close to the Royal Opera House, Theatre Royal, Bow Street Police Museum and London Transport Museum, the many retired stars of back-stage and back-screen drink here in the corner to the left of the bar counter. There are of course the inevitable theatre-goers in the evening, when the pub can get very busy.
This house has a fantastic collection of about 70 Irish whiskeys and gin, and Scotch whiskies. There are photos and posters for Gaelic football and Irish hurling, plus theatre posters, on the walls. Run by the same Irish family for around forty years now, when you visit, say hullo to the bar team: Jodie, Michael and Sean. And if you need a newspaper ask Michael for a borrow of his. All music is selected by the establishment - no musak here! - so expect an eclectic play list with some good golden oldies thrown in among Oasis and others of the more recent era.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.
Features
- Dog Friendly: Outside of food service hours
- Sports TV: A small screen for horseracing on Saturdays, and occasionally rugby, and tennis in season
- Family Friendly: Over 13s accompanied by adults
- Quiet
- Serves Food
- Serves Lunch: Hot and cold sandwiches
- Real Ale
- Good for Groups
- Smoking: At the front of the pub
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accepts Debit Cards
- Accepts NFC
Opening times
- Monday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Thursday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Friday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Sunday
- 12:00 – 10:30 PM
As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Independent
- Price
- 2 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.6out of 5 on Google, from 937 ratings
5 out of 5Tom Ryan-Elliotton Google, September 2024
A place to go if you're near Covent Garden Garden!! A good selection of beers, including London Pride as well as friendly staff. A nice design with lots of old pictures of things such as sports etc.
5 out of 5Colm Daltonon Google, June 2024
Said by many to be the finest pint in London Town. Is it? It's not far off. Barstaff are amazing and pint specialists. The pub itself is lovely too. I'm visiting every Irish pub on earth, and the Coach and Horses is rightly amongst the finest
5 out of 5Nathan Perretton Google, September 2024
One of the best pints of Guinness outside of Ireland. They do a really good hot sandwich as well, beef, ham etc. old school pub inside which can get really busy but for good reasons with a good outside bit to stand and people watch. Do not walk past this pub without stopping for a pint.
5 out of 5Kara Hon Google, July 2024
Great atmosphere and one of the best Guinness I have tried in London. Frothy head, clean tasting and poured the correct way! Thank you! ☺️
4 out of 5Seckin Uysalon Google, October 2023
No music makes this place a gem or a boring old schooler I cant be sure. No kitchen, so dont expect any bar food besides the nuts. There are nice craft beers though. At the time of this review the IPAs were £7+ I guess all prices increased recently. Nothing more I can tell.
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.