The Crown, Soho, W1

This small but busy Nicolson,s pub seemed to be popular with the tourists.Six beers on handpump and I went for an old favourite.Copper Dragon-golden pippen.Good but not as flavoursome as I remember it.Good pub.

This smallish Nicholsons pub is located just off the northern side of Piccadilly Circus in the heart of Soho. It has all the traditional Nicholsons trademarks and is cosy and attractive enough without being anything too noteworthy. The Nicholsons “Famous for…” blurb claims that the pub stands on the site of the Hickford Room, an 18th Century concert Hall where a 9 year old Mozart is supposed to have performed (one report I read said the event was actually cancelled and he was indisposed on the rearranged date) however the venue, which was controversially demolished in 1934, actually stood on the other side of the road and was replaced by the staff annex for the Regent Street Hotel. The name does however linger on in the pub’s upstairs overflow bar which is now known as the Hickford Bar. The L-shaped main bar has bare floors in the bar area with a carpeted rear section. The décor and furnishings are all neat and tidy with leather banquette seating, striking wallpaper and theatre style curtain drapes creating a slightly underwhelming sense of elegance. The rear section has half paneled walls and a large display cabinet in one corner. The decent enough selection of 6 ales included Sharps Doom Bar, St Austell Tribute, Fullers London Pride, White Horse Wayland Smithy, Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted and Thornbridge Jaipur IPA. Food is the general West End chain pub stuff with main courses ranging from around £8-£15 with a few slightly cheaper lunchtime specials also listed. As Nicholsons go, this is about average and the more interesting ale selection does give the place a nod over much of the local competition but you can’t help feel that pubs like this are all too commonplace throughout the West End.

I too was in The Crown on Friday lunchtime, and also thought that the Bengal Lancer was on good form. The beers were as mentioned by the previous reviewer, and as well they had a cauldron of mulled wine on the bar, and on the bar back they were advertising bottles of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Meantime Chocolate Ale. There was an inevitable smell of food pervading the place, and the food I saw being scoffed by a coule of punters looked OK, but I didn’t get to peruse a menu. This is a Nicholson’s pub that sits in Brewer St, pretty much in the heart of London’s red light district. It’s fairly typical for this part of the world. The bar counter is straight ahead as you enter, with a bit of seating in front of it, consisting mainly of tall stools at ledges. The room extends round to the left and back of the bar counter, with normal tables and chairs occupied mainly by diners as far as I could see. There’s nothing special about this pub – it’s a fairly basic West End Nicholson’s. I won’t go out of my way to visit again, but it’s OK for a pint when it’s not too busy.

The Crown stands on the site of the Hickford Rooms, London's premier concert hall in the 1740's and 1750's. According to blurb inside, Mozart played here on one occasion. It is now a pretty standard Nicholson's with, on my friday lunchtime visit, a rather uninspiring range of ales (Landlord, Pride, Doom Bar and the guest presence of Bengal Lancer and Brains SA). Still, Bengal Lancer (£3.35) was in good nick and service was friendly enough from the lone barman. The decor is regulations Nicholson's, with a mixture of wood and metal tables and traditional decor. This place is typical of many pubs in the area and as such it doesn't really stand out - nevertheless it wasn't a bad experience and I'd consider returning.

Randomness Guide to London - Crown entry

Randomness Guide to London - Crown entry