Remembered as a gathering place for writers and thinkers, this is the Coach and Horses. This pub hosted Private Eye editorial lunch sessions for many years. Let me tell you about this iconic London pub.
The Coach and Horses is one of Mayfair’s oldest surviving taverns. It dates back to the 17th century. Its Tudor exterior and stained glass windows beckon you. Step inside the Coach and Horses and experience a true London pub.
Dating from the 1770s, it was built as a coaching inn. It aimed to capitalize on increased travel by horse and carriage. Tired horses and weary passengers could rest here. In the 18th century, coaching inns became more common. Pubs like The Coach & Horses marked stagecoach stops.
There are over 50 Coach & Horses pubs in London alone. But none have such a charming exterior as this one. It is a small pub seating only 50 people. Arrive early to secure your spot.
Unlike modern establishments, the Coach and Horses has warm lighting. Its traditional furniture makes you feel at home. Find sanctuary among rustic beams and rich wood panelling. Sample cask ales as the pub offers monthly changes. The best of British beers are available for all to enjoy and it’s dog-friendly too.
The Coach and Horses was built in the 1840s. The distinctive frontage dates to an 1889 remodel by the Cannon Brewery. The 1937 interior is thanks to Taylor, Walker & Co. They fitted the three bar rooms with light-oak panelling. You will also see partition screens and a long bar counter.
The Coach and Horses has three separate bars. Each bar originally had its own entrance. The public bar faces Greek Street. The private bar is in the middle. The saloon bar is around the corner on Romilly Street.
Between 1943 and 2006, Norman Balon greeted visitors. He was known as London’s rudest landlord. Jeffrey Bernard, Francis Bacon and John Hurt were regulars. Keith Waterhouse’s play captured the pub’s bohemian atmosphere. It was called ‘Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell’. The play recreated the saloon bar on stage. From the 1960s, staff from The Spectator and Private Eye met here.
The Coach and Horses is a Grade II listed building. Its listing contains details about its history. It was added to the CAMRA National Inventory in 2019 for its 1930s interior.
The pub was rebuilt in 1889. Its name comes from horse-drawn coaches. A shuttle service ran from here to Smithfield Market. Smithfield Market was the main starting point for coaches heading north.
The imposing cast-iron columns add to its charm. These columns have ornamental necks and square capitals. The interior has simple light-oak panelling. The servery runs along the back wall. Back-lit signs advertise ‘Double Diamond’, ‘Ind Coope’ and ‘Skol Lager’.
Each room has subtle differences reflecting its clientele. The Public Bar has an overhanging counter top. The Private Bar has a narrower counter with a terrazzo riser. The Saloon Bar has a brick fireplace. Meals were served via a dumbwaiter.
Norman Balon’s father took over the tenancy in 1943. Norman left school to help during the noisy times in London. They sheltered in the cellar during air raids. The top-floor room was used as a studio by painters. Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud were among those who frequented the pub.
Richard Ingrams, William Rushton and Peter Cook came to the Coach and Horses for lunch each day. Norman Balon invented Jeffrey Bernard. Bernard used the pub as an office. He even had cigarettes kept for him.
Remember the Coach and Horses, a pub steeped in history and character. A true London gem.