28/09/16 - The Good Beer Guide Pubs of Soho

Distance - 2.5 Miles
Pubs - 6
Geocaches - 0
Walk Inspiration - Andrew Duncan's 50 Greatest Walks in London

I know that you are not going to believe it, but this is an official walk.  Detailed in one of the best waking guide books available for London.  Its a couple of miles from Goodge Street Station to Charing Cross Station and takes you on a meander through the fleshpots of Soho.

Where there are a high volume of Good Beer Guide pubs.  Fortunately, for future generations, I am here to record them for prosperity.  This keeps happening.

Once an historic Soho Boozer - Now a Burger Bar

Newman Arms, Rathbones Street - London Pride

Random BeerintheEvening Quote - "My one reservation would have to be the prevelance of 'beanie hats' behind the bar, very strange. It's cost them a point, 9/10"

Proles at the Newman Arms

This isn't in the Good Beer Guide, but as I was so close, I couldn't resist a revisit for the first time in 10 years.   It was George Orwell's watering hole.  He used it a couple of times - once as the inspiration for the proles pub in 1984.  A second time, as the inspiration for his dream pub in the essay "Moon under the water".

George, keeping a watchful eye

I can report that it hasn't changed since my last visit, or probably George's.

Such finery as furniture is nearly totally dispensed with.   There's just the one chair available - an incongruous high stool that looked liked it was stolen from a 70's breakfast bar.

There's a sign pointing to a restaurant upstairs.  I venture up and find only a hipsters single gear racing bike.  A conversation with the barman points out that is was closed down a couple of weeks ago.  It seemed impolite to ask why.

For additional cultural references, I head out the side door and down the dingy alley - used to great effect and historical accuracy as the setting for a knocking shop in Michael Powell's 1960 film - Peeping Tom.

Newman's Passage

Dog and Duck, Bateman Street - Peroni

Random BeerintheEvening Quote - "The Orwell room upstairs is an oasis of calm in Soho"

The Dog and Duck - Soho

Straight in, straight up the stairs to the Orwell Dining Room.  I am starving and living on expenses.

I've eaten here before and it a great place to get an elevated view of Soho Craziness.

Soho from Above

The service is a bit hit and miss.  The food is Ok, that comes up in a little lift.  The upstairs bar only has one ale on - Nicholsons Pale Ale - and all the good stuff is downstairs.  My waitress was unkeen to go and fetch me any of the delights from below.

And down below is where all the beauty is.  Quite rightly, the Dog and Duck is lauded for its heritage interior.

Downstairs Bar at the Dog and Duck

Star and Garter, Poland Street - London Pride

Random BeerintheEvening Quote - "As someone mentioned before, it's a proper old school boozer and long may it continue."

The Star and Garter - Soho

I have a real soft spot for Poland Street.  It was the basis for the fictional crime series by Derek Raymond (Patron of the Coach and Horses, Soho).  They are top books and I suggest you read them.

I wasn't intending on coming to this one, saving it for another day - but as my walking route took me right past the door, it would have been rude not to explore.

My favourite pub of the night.  A proper old school boozer in the heart of Soho.   Who knows how long it will be before its converted into a burger bar.

Its not all tradition, mind.  I receive my first plastic fiver in my change.

Bantz

Old School, in the heart of Soho

The Old Coffee House, Beak Street - Bethnal Green Bitter

Random BeerintheEvening Quote - "When I mentioned the taste of the beer and what the barman had done, he to told me to F*ck off!"

Not quite Hogarth's Gin Lane

The Old Coffee House is a bit of a strange one.  I am faced with a huge choice of beers never seen before.  They are all named after areas of London and subsequent investigation reveals that this is now a tied house to London Brewer, Brodies.

The reviews on BITE are not 100% complimentary but I have to speak as I find - The bitter was in fine nick.

Sat at bar, looked at the famous autographs and determined that I am the only person in London who pays with cash - plastic or otherwise.

Happy in his work

Famous Faces

The Queens Head - Denman Street - London Pride

Random BeerintheEvening Quote - "It is like a small miracle or an oasis in the desert of shite that is Piccadilly"

Into Picadilly and The Queens Head 

Unspectacular on the outside, this was another top pub and home of the best pint of the evening.

Normally, I have problem finding the cask marque certificate in pubs.  Here, they are that proud of their achievements over the years, they are all on display.

This is a pub to seek out.

Justifiably Proud of their wares

The Lyric, Great Windmill Street - Harbour Brewing Amber Ale

Random BeerintheEvening Quote - "Was drawn inside by the board outside. "Try an Olde Tart for only £2"

You have to be careful, taking photos in these parts.  Derek Raymonds bouncers will hunt you down from the Windmill over the road.

The Lyric

This independent pub is another for beer lovers to seek out.  Especially if you like to try new brews.

Even spotted the chalk board first to make a decison

A fine conclusion to the Good Beer Guide entries for 2017.   There's a lot of choice around these parts but these are all worthy of inclusion.

Just time for a bit of sightseeing before disappearing into the tube.

Walk, Beer, Food, The Sights