The Coal Hole image

The Coal Hole

Bar Pub

Pub in former coal cellar for the Savoy Hotel, with antique tiled floors and real ale selection. People often mention good, staff, great, atmosphere, friendly, London, beers, drinks, service, visit,


Address

91-92 Strand, Greater, London WC2R 0DW, United Kingdom

Website

www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

Contact

+44 20 7379 9883

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (2.7K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 11 AM to 12 AM
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 12 AM
  • Sunday: 11 AM to 11 PM
  • Monday: 11 AM to 11 PM
  • Tuesday: 11 AM to 11 PM
  • Wednesday: 11 AM to 11:30 PM
  • Thursday: 11 AM to 11:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (20) staff (13) great (13) atmosphere (9) friendly (9) London (8) beers (7) drinks (7) service (7) visit (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Rupinder M. 1 year ago on Google
    Very nice pub with an interesting history. Located off the Strand next to the Savoy. Stopped by for a few pints and something to eat. Very busy with all sorts of folks which was cool. They had a lot of staff so taking orders at the bar was not too long considering how busy it was. Good selection of beers. I saw many people getting cocktails too. We were able to get somewhere to sit and drink. I ordered food, the house special ale pie and my friend had the lamb shank shepherds pie. I would say the food was a little pricey for the amount but you figure you’re right in central London. I knocked off a star as my food, although presented well, was not particularly tasty as I had hoped (especially for an award winning pie). The mash and veggies tasted dry like they had been sat out for a while. I probably would not come back for food but would definitely stop by for a beer. I would recommend a stop in here if you're in the area. Great location and vibe, great staff and a good selection of drinks!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 David S. 2 years ago on Google
    Dropped-by this pub on the off-chance, despite being slightly put off by the neon sign outside! I was very pleasantly surprised! The atmosphere is that of a local, despite its location on The Strand, in the heart of Theatreland. Apparently it was the original coal cellar for the Savoy Hotel, hence its name. Attractive dark wood decor and tiled flooring. The basement area is quieter, as it can get pretty busy at street level. Relatively expensive but typical for the area. Definitely worth visiting.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 joan l. 1 year ago on Google
    Popped in after seeing Edvard Munch exhibition at The Courtauld Gallery for drinks. Old world atmosphere and super friendly staff. Outdoor space and downstairs makes this spacious considering the location. Highly recommended
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Anikaz T. 10 months ago on Google • 387 reviews
    A good place for some crunchy nachos. It was crispy and delicious. There were drizzles of cheese which really accentuated the flavour. The garlic bread was not that good as it was just some garlic butter on flatbread which was hard. Overall, a good place with good food and good price and nice service
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 veronica g. 4 months ago on Google
    Never felt more humiliated in a place in London. I am writing to express my profound disappointment and utter dismay regarding a recent incident at your establishment, which has compelled me to bring a grave matter to your attention. On Friday, I, along with a group of individuals, encountered an appalling and entirely unjustifiable denial of entry by one of your entrance guards. Despite the presence of an existing group inside, my companions and I were subjected to an inexplicable refusal, delivered with a complete lack of professionalism. What is even more distressing is the disgraceful behavior exhibited by the guard when I sought clarification. Instead of a reasonable explanation, I was met with a barrage of insults and unwarranted aggression. This not only tarnished our evening but also left an indelible mark of disrespect on your establishment. As someone who frequents various establishments, I have never experienced such a blatant disregard for customer respect and dignity. It is disheartening to witness such a lack of professionalism in what should be a hospitable and inclusive environment. I implore you to investigate this matter thoroughly and take immediate corrective action. Such behavior is unacceptable and reflects poorly on the reputation of your establishment. I trust you will address this issue promptly to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Your swift attention to this matter is not only expected but imperative. I would not recommend places like this in a supposedly the most welcoming city in the world.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Jaiden T. 3 months ago on Google • 300 reviews New
    Friendly staff however food quality was inconsistent. My Chicken Schnitzel was nice while my chips were ok. Ended up eating the chunky chips, to find that they had a better texture and taste. A family member found their calamari awful as it was stone cold and reheated. The calamari was the only option for light meals but this pub failed miserably with that option. I also found the men's toilets bad as the urinals had no privacy whatsoever due to the entry of the toilets only having one door. Meanwhile the one and only cubicle was stuffed with wet toilet paper and a foul smell. There was ventilation in the toilets but it wasn't strong enough. The vibe of the pub at least has a good charm. I'm sorry, for a €16 Schnitty, it's not worth it despite the quality of the food. I've been to better quality pubs before near Wimbledon and back in Australia. See my other reviews to see the pubs across the world I've been to and reviewed.

  • 4/5 Jeffrey K. 6 months ago on Google • 140 reviews
    The Coal Hole is a wonderful pub experience. We arrived at 5:15 pm and the place was hopping. We were going for pre-theatre dinner but the great majority are there for their after work pint. We ordered the Nicholson Steak Pie, the soup of the day - Tomato Basil, and the Nicholson Fish & Chips. All was fabulous and a lot to eat. Highly recommend visiting The Coal Hole.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Nina 8 months ago on Google • 26 reviews
    3 stars is for the food. Two of us had the steak and ale pie and we were both disappointed - average pie served with average mash potatoes, average green veg and hard carrots. Another person had the Puy Lentil pie and said it was good. Service was good - efficient and friendly. Nice pub for a drink , but I wouldn’t eat here again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Marie K. 1 year ago on Google
    Convenient ordering by order and pay at the table option. Nice atmosphere and lively. Beef sticky brisket crochet and the steak meat pie was delicious. The toad in the hole was just ok. Chicken and bacon Avocados salad was flavorful, but the chicken was way too dry. Halloumu fries were delicious. We enjoyed our lunch very much.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jonathan S. 1 year ago on Google
    Stumbled in here on our walk through London, love nicholsons pubs. You always know what nicholsons pubs will always be consistent. Very rustic and historical vibe. Only got drinks at this pub, already had lunch. Love it!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Shaun D. 2 years ago on Google
    Dropped into this pub after watching a show across the street. The pub itself is very ornate with exposed wooden beams and paneling, very olde worlde feel. I didn't eat here but did ask for a packet of crisps to go with my pint but was told they didn't sell them. A pub without crisps ? Certainly a first for me and I wasn't the only customer who asked for them. At the time I was here they had ales on draught from St Austell Brewery which I love so I was in heaven. The staff are ok, polite but didn't seem too happy with their work and certainly didn't want to get into a conversation with out of towners however, it certainly wasn't the Slaughtered Lamb type of welcoming. If you know American Werewolf in London you know where I'm coming from.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Greg K. 1 year ago on Google
    Waited 40 minutes for a dry, overcooked burger. Looks like I got the end of the fry bag, All short and stubby. Looked good but service and quality sucked.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jal 1. 1 year ago on Google
    Proper old London pub stopped off for a drink to get out of the hustle and bustle of the Strand. Beautiful decor I don't know for certain but from the look of it I'd guess that it's been a pub for a long long time. Friendly atmosphere, friendly bar staff and a good selection of beers. Well worth a visit
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cornell R. 3 months ago on Google • 97 reviews New
    Stop in here to get a few drinks before we walked to see the fireworks for New Year Eve. Old fashioned but not American style. No cherry. The. I had two Jamison and coke and three tequila shots

  • 5/5 John S. 4 months ago on Google • 49 reviews
    Super food and really great atmosphere. Fantastic location for shows. We had a few pies and the kids had burger and a chicken sandwich. Service was a touch slow, but quality in other ways made up for it for sure! Great stop! Gin drink was outstanding!

  • 5/5 Marcin W. 3 months ago on Google • 42 reviews New
    I had a fantastic experience at The Cole Hole in London! The first thing that stood out was the super professional service - the staff was attentive and friendly, making us feel very comfortable. The menu offered a variety of delicious options, and I was pleasantly surprised at how reasonably priced the food was, especially for a pub in London. The quality of the food exceeded my expectations. From traditional pub fare to more inventive dishes, everything we ordered was flavorful and satisfying. The casual yet stylish atmosphere made for a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience. Whether you're looking for a great place to grab a pint or a meal with friends and family, The Cole Hole is definitely worth a visit. I can't wait to go back and try more of their menu. It's a gem in London's pub scene!

  • 5/5 Tariq F. 5 months ago on Google • 30 reviews
    Great food. Good drinks and beer. Staff east very friendly and helpful. Visited twice and would come again and again.

  • 5/5 Ross G. 2 months ago on Google • 12 reviews New
    Fantastic pub. I had a birthday lunch here recently and had a great afternoon. We were a party of fourteen, including two young children, and couldn't have asked for better food, service and enjoyment. In addition, it's in a great location near one of the most pleasant parts of London.

  • 5/5 Monica S. 2 months ago on Google • 8 reviews New
    Our server was Niki and she was really lovely. A very nice pub with huge portions 🤩 Basically we didn’t walk out… we rolled out 🤰🫃

  • 5/5 antonio c. 2 months ago on Google • 5 reviews New
    Food was great and the service was prompt and very efficient. Thanks to Niki for her gentle and nice service.

  • 5/5 Allan P. 3 months ago on Google • 3 reviews New
    We came for the dinner during holiday period. The pub is really nice, the vibe was really cool and it was at the end really good. We tasted the specialities : pie wild boar and chorizo and pie turkey => ones of the best pies we eat !

  • 5/5 Tina 1 year ago on Google
    What a fantastic pub. Lovely atmosphere. Would definitely recommend a visit. Didn't get try the food, on my next visit I shall My only disappointment was witnessing a member of bar staff speaking very rudely to a colleague who was serving me and needed help(worked there for only 3 weeks) not something I feel should be on view to the customer's. Or at all. I reassured him he was doing a great job. The other member of staff needs to work on her customer's skills.

  • 4/5 ian k. 6 months ago on Google
    Nice pub. 17pound for three bar dishes were pretty worth the money.

  • 5/5 Dave O. 9 months ago on Google
    What a lovely pub , great selection of beers and lagers and very well decorated. Price range is very reasonable for the area. Food was delicious 😋 especially the fish 🐠 pie which I thoroughly enjoyed every last mouthful

  • 5/5 Barry B. 2 years ago on Google
    Great spot. Lovely ambience, looks good. Great selection of beers and staff are friendly. Enjoyed our visit.

  • 5/5 Russell J. 1 year ago on Google
    We visited this place on Friday evening, and it was very busy (which is good sign for us!). Didn't pre booked a table, so our server found one for us. This place absolutely had everything what pub lovers need. Plenty choices for cask ales, if I am not wrong 4-5 craft beers were available and 5-6 different ciders on the tap. and all sorts of mixers. We sat upstairs dining area, our server was extremely friendly, attentive and service was excellent. We ordered obviously British pub classics steak ale pie and fish and chips followed with brownie and sticky toffee pudding with custard. Food was really good, good portions and well kept presentation (classic). After finishing our meal we went down to enjoy Live music performance, the singer brought our experience in this pub to the next level, which we ended up staying till 11 pm! Overall it was a fantastic experience for us. Would definitely recommend.

  • 4/5 Linda H. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice atmospheric pub, we had the steak & ale pie for lunch. Pie & chips were delicious however I prefer my veggies cooked after they've been washed!

  • 4/5 EFlatMajor7 2 years ago on Google
    Nice traditional old Nicholson's pub on the Strand. Good range of beers incl. St Austell brewery. Food was good and the staff were friendly.

  • 4/5 Andrew C. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice pub, interesting decor. Atmosphere was OK, and place seemed tidy enough. Drink choice was OK too.

  • 4/5 Steve m. 2 years ago on Google
    We popped in here for a quick drink before the theatre. What a lovely pub in a great location. Definitely worth a visit if you like a old boozer.

  • 4/5 julie b. 2 years ago on Google
    We meet friends here at lunchtime as Pete was very enthusiastic about it. Busy so got the last seats upstairs. Friends are veggie and a lot of their choices were off and a couple of meat dishes. Burgers were good and their halloumi fries with a spicy sauce made your eyes water! Served quickly through table app.

  • 5/5 E M. 2 years ago on Google
    Been wanting to have a drink in here for some time. A really great little pub; buzzy atmosphere and good background music. Bar staff were efficient and there was a good mix of clientele inside.

  • 4/5 Phil B. 2 years ago on Google
    Really attractive old pub. Need to sort their plumbing out. Worth a visit to see the old world interior. Good choice of beers too. Very busy and popular with visitors to Covent Garden and theatreland.

  • 5/5 Vinsha D. 3 months ago on Google • 2 reviews New
    Coal Hole is undoubtedly a fantastic place to hang out with friends and enjoy a great time over beverages and drinks. The vibrant atmosphere and friendly staff create the perfect setting for social gatherings. While it can get quite crowded on weekends, it's a testament to the popularity of this establishment. The variety of drinks and the value for money make it a go-to spot for many. Whether you're looking for a cozy corner to chat , coal Hole offers it all. A great choice for a memorable night out with friends!


Call +44 20 7379 9883 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
    • ✓️ Free street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Food
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Food at bar
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery

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