The Courthouse Bar Review

Best for: Soho cocktails, ex-prison adventures

Great: Indian paneer with capsicum, Dickens Delight cocktail

‘Flush W.C after use. Pull Near Door’ – well that ought to whet your appetite, hey? Although, in this instance, it sure beats ‘Slippery when wet!’. Behold the wall signage of the Courthouse Bar in Soho. On arrival at the Courthouse Bar we were huddled into our very own jail cell. It’s not the place to be for romance, or business meetings, unless you can find some enchantment in old school dunnies. Yes, friends, I bring you the original, the magnificent, the totally awe-inspiring jail cell toilet! The loo is but a token of the many remnants of the original Victorian courthouse jail cells in this now bar which are all pertinent and curious.

Waiting patiently for our cocktail ‘Dickens Delight’ (named in honour of Charles Dickens himself as he was a reporter of the court proceedings here in 1835) we were starting to wonder if the cops were going to do a body searches and handcuff us, but the chances of that happening were about as close as one of the poor prisoners of old would have had of winning a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card. Then we wondered if we would at least get to be undressed and then forced to wear those blue and white stripes. Not even.

It was quiet for a Saturday night ... but not unfriendly. We were most delighted when we managed to catch the eye of a regular, and lure him into our not-so-dull den. Although not in favour of taking the throne in this case, he described the Courthouse Bar as a “wonderful establishment”. We also learnt that the staff turnover is very low, and current staff have maintained their posts since opening 5 years ago. The ultimate testament to a very well run business. When I finally did decide to visit the ladies’ lav down the hall, I noticed that all the cells were full, thereby speaking for the ‘lack’ of customers at the bar. The cells are popular, there is no doubt.

Sadly, our friend didn’t stay long (maybe we were just not bad enough for him), as this bar is the perfect place for pre-dinner drinks or a few pre-party pops. And even the odd snack or two. I was most endeared towards the paneer (Indian cheese) with capsicum on sticks. I’d also recommend tickling the tongue with the tikka chicken on kebabs.

Eventually, the time came to make our escape. And as we touched freedom again, with a sigh and a glance, we realised our experience in prison rocked; jailhouse rocked. Toodle’loo’....read more

Philippa Morton 13 Oct 2010

The Courthouse Bar Description

The Bar is set in Great Marlborough Street’s former Courthouse - a place used to scandalous behaviour, as the courthouse where Prorfumo, Mick Jagger and John Lennon were all tried.

In fact The Bar features three of the original female holding cells, where private parties of up to eight people can lock themselves away for a little privacy. Each cell comes complete with the original bench, toilet (now there merely as an ice bucket) and cell door complete with grill and spy hole. However, a few soft furnishings have been added to make it a more comfortable stay than Oscar Wilde would have enjoyed during his time here.

With conviction we recommend you to reserve an authentic Victorian prison cell in The Bar. As opposed to solitary confinement, join friends or colleagues for an unusual setting to sip a glass of champagne and taste some light bites. It beats bread and water!

The cocktail list is inspired by the classics! The old ones are the favourites, so you won’t need to be a qualified bar tender to understand the cocktail list! Great bar snacks compliment the drinks and produced from the kitchen serving Silk the hotels fine dinning restaurant....read more

The Courthouse Bar Opening Hours

Additional Information

• Cuisine Type: Bar
• Average Price: £15.00
• Dress Code: smart casual
• Website: Visit the The Courthouse Bar website
• Group: Hilton