Coach and Horses, Soho

The Coach and Horses. (January 2006)

The Coach and Horses, 29 Greek Street, Soho, London is a Grade II listed^[1] pub, notable for its association with the columnist Jeffrey Bernard, the staff of Private Eye magazine, other journalists and as a haunt for Soho personalities. Its former Landlord, Norman Balon, became famous too – in part for his self-proclaimed title of "London's rudest landlord", but also, presumably, because of his proximity to writers who document his actions and anecdotes.^[2]

The interior of the pub was recreated on stage for the biographical play about Bernard's life Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell. The play was successful and Balon's memoirs followed entitled You're Barred, You Bastards (ISBN 0283997621). There has been a pub on the site since the 18th century. The current building dates from the 1850s.

Norman Balon's last day at the Coach and Horses was on Monday 22 May 2006, when he officially handed over to the new owner Alastair Choat, who continues to foster the pub's unique identity as a gathering place for writers and thinkers by hosting events such as the fortnightly Private Eye lunch and a pub piano sing-along.

Notable patrons

• Soho Pam
• Jeffrey Bernard
• Jackie Turner
• Jan Turner
• Nick Wells

References

1. Historic England. "Coach and Horses public house (1235282)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
2. 'You're Barred, You Bastards!', The Memoirs of a Soho Publican, Norman Balon with Spencer Bright, Sidgwick & Jackson, London 1991

External links

• O'Toole's triumphant return – BBC News story about Peter O'Toole's return performance in Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell, 5 August 1999 (features a picture of O'Toole outside The Coach).
• Teachers were poorly educated – Brief interview with Norman Balon at Find Articles sourced from The Independent, 1 September 2006.

Coordinates: 51°30′47.6″N 0°07′48.8″W / 51.513222°N 0.130222°W