Pints & Prose: A Literary Pub Crawl Through Soho & Covent Garden
- alanjohnjeffery
- Sep 18
- 5 min read
If Shakespeare were alive today, he’d probably swap the Globe for a snug corner in a Soho pub, pint in hand, scribbling sonnets on a napkin. London’s literary legacy isn’t confined to dusty libraries or blue plaques—it’s alive and well in its pubs. Especially in Soho and Covent Garden, where the beer flows as freely as the metaphors.
So, grab your notebook (or just your thirst) and let’s embark on a literary pub crawl where the spirits are high and the stories even higher.
London has always been a city of stories—some whispered in alleyways, some shouted from theatre balconies, and many scribbled-on beer-stained napkins in the corner of a pub. If you’ve ever wondered where the great minds of literature went to drink, debate, and occasionally get thrown out, look no further than Soho and Covent Garden.
These neighbourhoods aren’t just cultural hotspots—they’re living libraries with taps, where every pint comes with a plot twist and every corner booth could be a chapter in someone’s memoir.
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📚 Soho: Where Bohemia Meets the Barstool
The French House
Tucked away on Dean Street, The French House is a pub that refuses to conform. No music. No machines. No pints—only halves. It’s a place where silence is golden and conversation is king. Dylan Thomas once drank here (probably too much), and Francis Bacon was a regular, adding a splash of surrealism to the already eccentric crowd.
“Do not go gentle into that good night.” – Dylan Thomas
Here, the night is never gentle. It’s poetic, chaotic, and occasionally philosophical.
The Dog and Duck
This charming Victorian pub is the kind of place where you can imagine George Orwell nursing a pint while mentally drafting 1984. The walls are lined with history, and the bar is often lined with writers—some published, some aspiring, all thirsty.
“Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four.” – George Orwell
And freedom is also the ability to order a second round without judgment.
The Coach & Horses
A Soho institution, this pub was the stomping ground of Jeffrey Bernard, whose column “Low Life” in The Spectator chronicled his misadventures here. The pub even staged a play called Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell, which is what they’d post on the door when he was too hungover to write.
“I drink to make other people more interesting.” – Ernest Hemingway
At the Coach & Horses, everyone is interesting—especially after 9 PM.
Pillars of Hercules
Named after the mythical gateway to adventure, this pub on Greek Street has been serving drinks since the 1730s. Charles Dickens immortalized it in A Tale of Two Cities, and the nearby Manette Street is named after one of his characters.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” – Charles Dickens
At Pillars of Hercules, it’s mostly the best of times—especially if you’re seated near the fireplace with a stout and a story.
Modern literary giants like Ian McEwan and Julian Barnes have been spotted here, proving that the pub’s appeal spans centuries and genres.
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📖 Covent Garden: Where Drama Meets Draughts
The Lamb & Flag
Known as the “Bucket of Blood” in its rowdier days, this pub has cleaned up its act but kept its soul. John Dryden was once attacked outside—proof that literary criticism was once a contact sport.
“Beware the fury of a patient man.” – John Dryden
Today, it’s a peaceful haven for readers, writers, and those who appreciate a good pie with their poetry.
The Chandos
Located on Chandos Place, this pub is a favourite among theatregoers and literary types. With its wood-panelled interiors and cozy nooks, it’s the perfect place to escape the chaos of the West End and dive into a novel—or a conversation about one.
“You can make anything by writing.” – C.S. Lewis
Including excuses to stay for one more drink.
The Coal Hole
Once a venue for Victorian song-and-dance, now a basement pub with a flair for the dramatic. Its literary ambiance makes it perfect for brooding novelists or anyone who’s ever considered writing a memoir after two ales.
“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” – Ernest Hemingway
Unless that friend also knows your drink order and your favourite Dickens quote.
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✍️ Final Chapter: A Toast to the Wordsmiths
London’s literary pubs aren’t just places to drink—they’re places to think, to write, to argue about whether Virginia Woolf would’ve liked craft beer. They’re places where the ghosts of writers past linger in the corners, whispering inspiration between sips.
“Write drunk; edit sober.” – (Often misattributed to Hemingway, but still solid advice)
Whether you're a budding novelist, a poetry enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys a good story with their stout, these pubs offer a taste of London’s rich literary heritage—one pint at a time.
So next time you're in Soho or Covent Garden, skip the chain bars and head to where the real stories live. And remember in these pubs, the pen is mightier than the beer tap—but only just.
Suggested Walking Route: Literary Pubs of Soho & Covent Garden
Start: Tottenham Court Road Station (Central Line exit)
Estimated total walking time: ~30–40 minutes (not including pub stops)
Distance: ~2.2 km / 1.4 miles
1. The Dog and Duck
📍 18 Bateman Street, Soho
A classic Victorian pub with literary ties to George Orwell.
➡️ Walk 1 min to…
2. The French House
📍 49 Dean Street, Soho
Famous for its bohemian clientele, including Dylan Thomas and Francis Bacon.
➡️ Walk 2 min to…
3. The Coach & Horses
📍 29 Greek Street, Soho
Known for journalist Jeffrey Bernard and Private Eye writers.
➡️ Walk 2 min to…
4. Pillars of Hercules
📍 7 Greek Street, Soho
A historic pub once frequented by Martin Amis and Ian McEwan.
➡️ Walk 6 min to…
5. The Lamb & Flag
📍 33 Rose Street, Covent Garden
One of London’s oldest pubs, once nicknamed “The Bucket of Blood.”
➡️ Walk 3 min to…
6. The Chandos
📍 29 St Martin’s Lane, near Trafalgar Square
A Samuel Smith pub with a grand interior and literary charm.
➡️ Walk 2 min to…
7. The Coal Hole
📍 91 Strand, near Savoy Hotel
A Victorian pub with theatrical and literary connections.
🎉 End of route!
🍻 Disclaimer: Sip Responsibly, Wander Wisely 🍻
While we celebrate London's legendary pubs and spirited history, we encourage all explorers to enjoy alcohol in moderation. Know your limits, hydrate like a hero, and never let a pint turn into a poor decision. Your liver doesn’t have a rewind button—and neither does your Uber rating.
Cheers to good times, not regrets.
There are many Guide Books on London Pub Walks available. Here are a few I recommend;
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