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Horse & Groom, London

Horse & Groom, London

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Cask Ale not available

Opens Wed at Noon

Operator: Samuel Smith

128 Great Portland Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W 6PS (View on Google Map)

(020) 7580 4726

No website available

Outstanding pub restoration

Horse & Groom W1-1 July 2017. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 30-07-2017

Horse & Groom W1 Mar 2023. (Pub, External). Published on 19-03-2023

Horse & Groom W1-3 July 2017. (Pub, External, Sign). Published on 30-07-2017

Horse & Groom W1-2 July 2017. (Pub, External, Sign). Published on 30-07-2017

A Samuel Smith pub, with three rooms downstairs and an upstairs eating area. An attractive Victorian interior and exterior including etched glass, mirrors and wood panels. A vaguely equine theme links the old prints. Some tables and chairs on the pavement provide alternative 'fresh air' seating.

Patrons should note that there is a strict "no swearing" policy in Samuel Smith's establishments. Also by decision of the brewery owner, customers may not use mobile phones (except for payments), laptops or similar inside the pub; tablets and iPads are prohibited inside or outside. The brewery's policy is that its pubs are for social conversation face to face.

Historic Interest

Said to date to 1792 when the Sun Fire Office records note a Mr Davidson, victualler, in occupation. It's another of the pubs in the area surrounding the BBC that was frequented by writers and essayists waiting for producers and editors, or to rehearse or broadcast. The pub is also said to have been known as The Whore's Lament, after the despair of certain locals at the departure of American servicemen at the end of World War II. More on the pubs used by BBC staff and others can be found in London Calling: A Countercultural History of London since 1945 by Barry Miles.

Information for this venue is provided by the West London Branch of CAMRA

Previous Names
Local Authority: Westminster
Last updated: 03/12/2023
Last surveyed: 17/03/2014
Leasehold owner: unknown
Freehold owner: Samuel Smith
Pub ID: WLD/16574
Asset of Community Value

Restoration

A Sam Smith pub with an impressive tiled frontage said to date from 1792. Downstairs the old layout of three rooms is pleasingly retained, as is the skylight in what would have been the billiards room. All areas have been well restored using high-quality fittings, such as a lot of wood, etched glass, mirrors and good flooring, to deliver a Victorian-style pub. In a nod to its name, old prints on the walls have an equine theme. Meals are served in an upstairs room. There is no real ale and the pub is closed on Sundays.

General information about outstanding conversions and restorations

Monday

Noon - 11:00pm

Tuesday

Noon - 11:00pm

Wednesday

Noon - 11:00pm

Thursday

Noon - 11:00pm

Friday

Noon - 11:00pm

Saturday

Noon - 11:00pm

Sunday

Closed

Monday