French House, Soho  rated2 pints - click for an explanation of our ratings

location:

Soho

address:

49 Dean Street, W1D 5BE

phone:

0871 984 2558*
* calls cost 10p/minute, click here for more about 0871 numbers.

nearest stations:

Leicester Square London Underground station
(300m) - zone 1

Piccadilly Circus London Underground station
(360m) - zone 1

Tottenham Court Road London Underground station
(430m) - zone 1

Covent Garden London Underground station
(520m) - zone 1

Charing Cross London Underground stationRailway station
(720m) - zone 1

how to find it:

Leicester Square: Take the Leicester Square exit from the station and turn left. Head up the road and cross Shaftesbury Avenue (Cambridge Circus is the wide bit) - you'll know when you get there, as Les Mis has been on at the theatre across the road for what feels like forever. Take the road at the right side of the theatre and carry on until you reach Dean Street. Turn right and it's about 20 metres up on the right. Tottenham Court Road: Take the South Oxford Street exit and turn left out of the station. Stay on Oxford Street until you reach Dean Street and turn left. It's almost all the way down on the left.

click here for a larger map

nearby attraction(s):

National Gallery (500m)

Trafalgar Square (600m)

The Royal Academy (680m)

picture of French HouseThis place hasn't really changed in decades (except for the landlord's retirement). Famous for being famous, small, crowded and only serving halves. It's got a strong history, Leffe on tap, and staff that cope well with the crowds of customers. It is, however, a pub we've never really warmed to. That's due in no small part to an atmosphere that's not far off that of the most inward looking of local pubs (for local people) and a clientele that could provide the dictionary definition of "arrogant". So if you don't mind standing about in a crushed bar while fedora'd "gents" eye you dismissively and reminisce about Gaston, Jeff and Francis, by all means pop in. It's just a bit too forced and precious for us.

reviewed:
11/05/2006
reviewed by jack

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