The Chandos

maclennane

27th April 2009

0 found this helpful

Busy, buzzy pub with excellent prices, 2 floors of seating and what looked like good food (though I didn't eat) - all it's really lacking is any sort of beer garden.

littlevegemite

Cheap, Central, Comfy 9th March 2009

1 found this helpful

This is the pub for you when you want to meet for a cheap drink before/after a meal in China Town, Covent Garden or Soho - although other people have packed in for the same reasons, this is a place to marvel at the 1980s prices, sprawl on the armchairs in the upstairs Opera Room, and a bit of an institution in my book.

rich42uk

You could do a lot worse... 26th August 2008

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...than if you're in the centre of London and struggling for a half-decent place for a cheeky pint than to go here! Whilst there are many places locally that could beat it in terms of a straight comparison, The Chandos is still worth it for a couple of reasons...

Firstly, it's dead easy to find being on the NE corner of Trafalgar Square opposite Charing Cross Post Office & just along from the Coliseum so if you're meeting mates it's a good central point to start from. Secondly, the Opera Room upstairs (provided you get there early) is very comfy with large sofas and cosy snugs. Above all though (and in sharp relief to the nearby drinking barns in Leicester Square), The Chandos is a Sam Smith pub which means there's always something interesting to drink and because it's brewed and sold by the same firm, there's no mark-up and so becomes pretty much the only place in WC2 where a round for three people can come in for under a fiver... With that in mind, there are no "brands" behind the bar so those seeking a pint of Stella will be disappointed (is that such a bad thing?).

The only downside is that, being in such a central location, it gets busier than Mumbai Central at rush-hour and can be frustrating to navigate. The staff are the usual central London mix of gap-yearers on minimum wage and don't care about good service and the proliferation of tourists and their lack of basic pub etiquette may drive some to distraction. For all that though, there's a lot more right than there is wrong!

lenalouise

27th August 2007

1 found this helpful

Great little place to go for cheap pints in central. Generally very crowded after 5pm though.

lva

24th August 2007

2 found this helpful

Really good cheap beer, lively atmosphere, and friendly staff. Only real downside is that it can get a bit crowded. I'm very fond of the Chandos.

Maley

3rd April 2007

3 found this helpful

Cheap, smoky and cheerful. Bit of a cheap boozer oasis, but better samuel smith boozers like The Crown.

AmberMango69

3rd April 2007

1 found this helpful

Cracking meeting place. Sam Smith's so a pint for under £2 in Central London. Can't go wrong. Upstairs is more chilled and relaxing. Always busy, but worth dealing with the crowds...

Thayer

3rd April 2007

2 found this helpful

Good for a pint on the way home, if like me home is via Charing Cross!

Good beers, and not too pricey, however I feel it's too busy unless I was already quite squiffy or incredibly early I'd avoid it.

lucky23

3rd April 2007

2 found this helpful

Nice Sam Smith's boozer. Not as good as most Sam Smith's places but great central location and plenty of room. Recommend a pint of Ayinger :-)

Rakeye

3rd April 2007

2 found this helpful

The Chandos is a London institution!

Cheep Sam Smith's beer and really friendly vibe mean this place is packed in the early evening with an eclectic crowd of drinkers, theatre goers, tourists and workers.

Downstairs is traditional old man's boozer, while upstairs almost feels like your in a sitting room with plenty of couches and space to stand when it's busy. Always worth popping in for a £1.98 pint of Alpine Lager!