The Coal Hole, Strand

I must admit i used this pub quite alot for 5 or 6 years when i worked in the area and when i changed jobs was the time this landlady took over, i cannot say i ever met the lady so cannot really comment. i jumped to the conclusion she was still there as the previous poster to me mentioned a landlady.
I understand that an assistant manager runs the pub on Saturday and works 10am to midnight so has long lunch break, seems to be little cover in this mid afternoon period.
Still i recommend Nell Gwynn just up lane across road!

20 Feb 2006 14:58

The Coal Hole, Strand

Went to meet an old friend who works at Savoy Theatre at the Coal Hole had always been his local as the stage door funnels into the basement bar. Was amazed to find that him and all the other staff had been boycotting the bar for a number of months because of the ladladys attitude and the poor service. (The downstairs bar is frequently closed because they don't have enough staff in the evenings)
there was a group of 6 of us who came in to find a half dozen or so people waiting to be served with one rather stressed young girl frantically running about completely out of her depth behind the bar. She explained to a man ahead of us in the queue that all the lagers needed changing and her and her colleague didn't know how to change the barrels. Her friend was evidently downstairs trying to acquire the knowledge to do such a task. When the same customer asked who was in charge he was told the manager was on her lunch break and not expected back for an hour and a half. At this stage we decided to go across the road to the Nell Gwynn a fantastic little pub where however busy you get acknowledged promptly and served in good time. (note: you don't mind waiting if you are welcomed and told of any credible reasons that there may be delays.)

14 Feb 2006 15:49