French House

If you're sick of novelty bars and pop ups this stalwart of central London is the place for you. Nestles in the heart of Soho its perfectly located for after work drinks and is often bustling after half five (or a fair bit earlier around Christmas time...and the summer...) 

It's traditional, peaceful and serves a cracking red wine. do be warned it will be busy if you go at rush hour. It's central London, you will probably have to drink your drinks al pavement - but that's half the fun of it! Especially when the sun is out. 

A lovely place to sit and watch the world go by.

Where else can you find a pub that only sells beer by the half pint luvey.
It's a theatrical melting pot.

No mobile phones, no footie on the telly... peace and quiet if you get into the corner ...! ! !

Great staff and a great boho vibe.

I honestly do think London is becoming quite oversaturated with themed pop-up novelty bars these days. They start to feel a bit soulless, and are really no more than just another Instagram opportunity. If you're looking for a place to go that's the complete polar opposite of this, you should definitely try the French House. It's got great vibes, friendly staff, and attracts the kind of crowd who actually like to make conversation rather than gazing at their smart phones all night. You could come here to meet a friend, or even out on a date - It's the perfect all-rounder bar for any and every occasion. So much warmth and character for a little old Soho pub.

It feels like this bar draws a dedicated crowd. There is always a large crowd outside! The inside is very homely. Feels like a local pub rather than a "soho" pub.

Nothing better than a Soho pub safari , and The French House is a MUST on the tour.

Love the vibe here - and the scene on the pavement when the sun shines, or the evening is warm. Our recent safari took in 6. The Dean Street Townhouse (posh but good Harviestoun beer ) The Toucan (for a Guinness) The Spice of Life (music room downstairs) The AlleyCat on Denmark Street (the place is jumping to live music ) and sadly , but it was late, The Crobar on Mannet Street (It said beer , whiskey and Rock and Roll on the window so we followed the interactions)  The French House was one of the quieter but fun stops en route. 

 The bar has a homely vibe - its the sort of place you want to hole up for a good long while and tuck into a book and some cracking wines or beers.

Recently visited this pub again after quite a few years and was pleased to find it unchanged by the passing of time. Still just as atmospheric with an eclectic mix of customers. A good place to visit if you want to experience Soho as it was before gentrification set in. Crowded (it's so small it only takes about twenty people) but full of colourful characters.

best pub in Soho - the mix of people you won't find anywhere else - as the saying goes from prince to pauper making for a great atmosphere with great staff !!

This unpretentious soho pub is a must visit and makes a nice change to all those over the top cocktail bars springing up all over London. This place is old school and that's why I love it.

There's a lot of history that goes with The French House and this is mainly why it's fun to go. You can sense how past London pissheads - artists, writers, actors - have spent their boozy nights in here, drinking their delicate half pints, or washing down gallons of wine. Whatever you do don't ask for a pint as they'll look at you funny.  The service is brash and often a bit rude and we were told off for talking loudly recently, which I think it a sign that the French House may be beginning to have seen better days. But it's still one of the most real places to drink in Soho. Although trying to get in on a busy Friday night is impossible. Daytime drinking you'll have more luck.

A client said he really wanted to go so I was happy to give it a go, I was very pleased with the lunch and wine selection. Will definitely go back.

I will be visiting The French House for the first time next Monday when I hope to enjoy convivial company with professional wine brokers but on reading the comments contained in the remarks from visitors as recent as the 15th June 2014 I am filled with dread at the possibility of bad mannered and surly staff!

I tried to telephone the number indicated in the website but was told that despite using my landline and disclosing my ex-directory number there was a recorded message stating that " this service is not compatible with this call".

Perhaps this is all part of the perceived "French Belligerent Charm" that clearly does not sit well with the majority of patrons so why do the owners not acknowledge the complaints as they cannot all be wrong or is it me?

How do they take reservations and how or why are they still in business?

I usually have better things to do with my day than become involved in these comment pages but as a Senior Citizen I do not wish to waste time and money travelling from Hampshire for an Away Day Tipple only to find that it was ruined by staff that should have attended an anger management and charm school course.

If the owner/owners read these comments I would be delighted to establish from them if they consider the criticisms valid or that all the patrons criticism is not justified.

J.Bridger

I was really excited about taking some American visitors here for my first visit. What a let down...I asked for my burger 'rare' but it couldn't have been more bien cuir.....when I complained to the waitress she had words with the chef. His explanation....."the herbs in the meat make it appear darker" ........REALLY!!!! My Bordeaux superior was rough to say the least. The Americans enjoyed their food but I suspect they were just being polite.

A great place for an early drink with the papers on a Saturday but the bar staff appear to have taken lessons from Parisians - very curt!!

Just noticed the negative reviews below. Yes perhaps the staff aren't always smiley and talkative but that's not what this historical pub is really about. It is an oasis of 'local' in the centre of one of the most touristy area's of London and for that I love it. It has a great history of well known artists, writers and actors who have frequented it over the years and you can feel theirs and the team who run it's character emanating from the walls from behind the many paintings and photo's.  I wouldn't want it to change for the world.

Boring useless barmaids who seem to have an adversion to conversation, deeming it too "loud" .. IN A PUB !!!... Are you sure your'e in the right minimum wage job, losers?

Je ne regret going at all.....had a really bon time of it...

The barmaid who served us clearly believes she owns the place, and can only be described as obnoxious. We reckoned she's trying to be an actress but can't find any work, due to being completely up herself, which is a shame as it otherwise seemed like a nice place to go with a friendly crowd.

Staff are terrible and miserable! We were a small group having some drinks and chatting on a Saturday afternoon and spent a small fortune on drinks but at two points we were told to 'Shhhhh' Like we were children! The female bar staff clearly that 'shhhh' us were just rude!

This must be for rich Frenchmen.A large glass of house wine was £7+

As an annual visitor from Australia, I found this gem some years ago. It is my favourite pub/wine bar in London. The staff are all friendly and talkative, one of the bonuses is one of the staff, Dwayne from Australia. Always pleasant and happy to recommend a good wine. The list is impressive! A great spot to people watch, some real characters there. It's a bit like a French Brasserie, beer. wine, food, very civilised. It does get crowded, but that's part of the price for being a very good, atmospheric and friendly bar just near Theatreland. I'll be back in June with friends and can't wait to try Polpetto, the restaurant upstairs. Contrary to some other opinions, the staff are casual, but that's what I like as an Aussie, no pretensions here.