Old Coffee House, London

A large but cosy back-street pub, close to the buzz of Carnaby Street, with six handpumps offering a range of ales from Brodie's Brewery in East London plus guest local ales. The pub was first licensed in 1772 as the Silver Street Coffee House and was rebuilt in 1894.

The long wooden bar with high stools leads to a larger more comfortable area at the back with a mixture of chairs and banquettes. The warm atmosphere created by the polished pine floor and dark panelling is enhanced by a coal-effect fire at the rear. There is much to attract the eye, with Watneys Red Barrel signage on the back bar, old brewery mirrors (including from Truman's) and an eclectic assortment of prints, posters, pictures and brassware. The volume of music and sports tv are kept low to be unobtrusive. A second room upstairs is opened at busy times and is otherwise available for functions. Lunchtimes find good sized portions of pub-grub style food being offered at very reasonable prices for Soho.