John Snow

Shocking and disgusting costumer service. Go somewhere else. My husband and I were in London for Valentine’s Day on our honeymoon and were so excited to explore some charming, old-school pubs. When we came across John Snow, we instantly fell in love with its classic English exterior. It looked like exactly the cozy, historic pub experience we were hoping for. Unfortunately, the experience inside was incredibly disappointing. As soon as we walked in, the female bartender (long brown curly hair) gave us a very obvious dirty look. We tried to brush it off and politely asked what beers were available on tap. Instead of answering, she rolled her eyes directly at us and silently pointed toward a list we couldn’t even see — it was on the other side of the wall. There was no explanation, no basic courtesy, and no attempt to be welcoming. It was easily the worst customer service we experienced during our entire trip. Such a shame, because the pub itself has so much character. A warm atmosphere should come from the staff as well — and sadly, that was completely missing.

The atmosphere is great just see how old and British it is. I was attracted by the water pump since everyone recommended. The food was nice, I ordered the truffle pudding pie. But I remembered mushroom on the menu too but wasn’t on my plate. The beans were a bit too salty. I suggest to let the guests add their own salt (I don’t really put salts on beans). But the smashed potato was amaizng!!

Some places live up to their reputation. John Snow exceeds it. This is classic London pub culture at its best. Warm wood interiors, a welcoming buzz, and a clientele that ranges from longtime locals to curious visitors who instantly feel at home. Service is fast and friendly, drinks are poured properly, and the energy is relaxed yet alive. It is the kind of place where one drink turns into two because the environment pulls you in. Whether you are exploring Soho or looking for a dependable pub you can return to night after night, this one delivers every time. An essential London experience.

This a real cool traditional style bar with a nice selection of beers and great vibes. The neighborhood is alive and lively. The food is not the best.

The service is amazing, like really friendly and welcoming. The food is basic pub food, nothing more but nothing less! You get what you came for...

We were here for lunch, had some beers and fish and chips. Everything was great, we absolutely enjoyed the place.

This is a great pub and really nice to meet up friends. I really did not like the service on the second floor as the girl was really rude and unfriendly.

Nice pub, friendly service. We had some pints and headed upstairs for some lunch, but the lad working there told us there were going to be a long wait because they were short staffed. We thanked the heads up and went somewhere else. But i really appreciate the honesty.

If you want to understand Soho, start here. John Snow is the kind of place that feels earned, not manufactured. From the moment you walk in, it delivers exactly what a proper London pub should. Lively without being chaotic. Historic without being stuffy. The crowd is a perfect mix of locals, regulars, and travelers who clearly did their homework. The beer selection is solid and well kept, the bartenders know their craft, and the atmosphere hums with conversation rather than noise. No gimmicks, no pretension, just a pub doing everything right. You do not come here for trends. You come here for authenticity, character, and that rare feeling of being exactly where you are supposed to be. A true Soho staple and a place I would return to without hesitation.

This is my favorite pub in London! As an American, it's hard to find a good pub in London because it's either super quiet or super busy (like the popular ones). Jon Snow is pretty popular however it has the best ambience and is in a perfect location. I've come back here two years in a row, and I'll be back next year for the third year in a row.

A Pint of History for the Epidemiology Nerds As someone with a background in epidemiology, visiting The John Snow Pub felt a bit like a pilgrimage. Standing just steps away from the legendary Broad Street pump (okay, Broadwick Street now), you're not just grabbing a pint, you're paying tribute to one of the founding fathers of public health. The pub itself does a great job of leaning into the history without turning it into a full-blown museum. There's a small plaque and display upstairs for fellow data geeks like me, and yes, I definitely raised my glass in memory of Snow's famous cholera map. The bartender was friendly, polite, and fast, exactly what you want in a busy London pub. The food? Classic pub fare. Nothing groundbreaking, but comforting and hearty. A solid plate of fish and chips and a cold pint go a long way, especially when you're drinking it in a place that helped change the course of modern health. The only downside was the bathroom situation. A bit cramped and could definitely use a refresh. Not quite the cleanest part of the experience, but hey, if John Snow could work through a cholera outbreak, I can handle a slightly dingy loo. All in all, The John Snow Pub is worth the stop. Come for the drinks, stay for the history, and toast to the man who taught us to map disease before it was cool.

No, this is not about the true Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. It's about some English person. From wikipedia: John Snow (15 March 1813 - 16 June 1858) was an English physician and a leader in the development of anesthesia and medical hygiene. Aside from this, the bar is great--so great that it will typically have a crowd standing outside since there's not much room inside. The drinks are standard English flavor, but the bar is full of charm and history that keeps its patrons coming back. This is a must-go place around Piccadilly!

We found a lot of places to drink in the SOHO/Carnaby neighborhood and stumbled into John Snow (probably due to the name familiarity of GOT TV show character!) although we knew it was named after a historical figure. We started downstairs and loved the small half door to enter or exit the main bar from inside. It was super crowded so we took our drinks upstairs and ended up staying there for our time here. They only serve one brand of beer/cider here, made by Samuel Smith's. All the usual varieties are represented and I liked the one I had. Fun place to try and easy name to remember.

I made a special trip here as a student of epidemiology. I took pics with the pump as well as the signs inside and outside the building commemorating Dr. Snow's achievement. My friend and I decided to grab lunch while we were here. We ventured upstairs and found ourselves a table as there was no one to seat us. There was a handsome, but surly bartender who told us to come up and order our food at the bar. We ordered and were told we needed to pay right then. Odd. Now I see why. The food looked fine, but tasted so bland. My cheese, onion and potato pot pie crust was heavy and hard as a rock. The peas and carrots on the side had zero flavor or seasoning. My friend was not happy either. Also, we asked about WiFi and were told, "No, you'll need to just talk to each other". I just wanted to check in on yelp and, and since we were traveling, WiFi every once in a while is a treat. His attitude was definitely off putting. I would not recommend eating here based on my experience.

Cozy, quirky little pub with fun local color and history, named for Dr. John Snow, the father of epidemiology, who discovered that everybody's favorite public plague - Cholera - was spread via water. He famously closed doen the public water pump located right near this location, and is credited with saving many lives through more hygenic water practices. That's worth raising a pint to! The good doctor's namesake pub is a fine little establishment with a good variety on tap, cheap prices, and in convenient and lively SoHo. Upstairs dining room is spacious, with some John Snow history/decor, and a decent menu that is common to a few pubs owned by the same group. Worth popping in for a pint or two in honor of the good doctor's discovery that beer is safer than water.

Made a quick pit stop here for the public health history! For any epidemiology nerds out there apparently you can sign a book upstairs (I forgot to ask when I was there unfortunately). Wasn't crowded at all when I came on an early Tuesday afternoon (only the downstairs portion was open). Bartender was very friendly and happy to talk to us. The Sam Smith beers were good and affordable. All in all a great place to soak in some beer and some cholera history.

This pub deserves a lot more than a few words! It is by the spot where Dr John Snow found the cholera pump. From the brilliant original victorian decor, to the delightfully cheap beers considering its location. The atmosphere is brilliant in the day for a quick lunchtime pint, or fantastically buzzy in the evening for a night out or pre-drink. Especially fun in the summer when the crowd spills out into the street. There are seating areas over two floors. Punters are a mix of students and young professionals looking for a cheap night without sacrificing the feel of a genuine pub, none of this gastro/ chain/ focus on the interior design nonsense. The owners get particularly arsey around closing time as no one wants to leave! Evenings, no matter what day of the week are always heaving so if you want to secure a good spot get there around 6 o'clock. Oh and watch out for the really low door by the downstairs bar, it may look really good and give the pub it's cosy feel, but I always bash my head on it.

Adore this place. It's to me what a true pub should be. Good, cheap beer with lots of livelihood. No matter the night of the week, you can always count on the John Snow to be brimming with folks in for a pint. Nestled in the heart of SoHo, John Snow isn't your typical pub - as you can't get a Guinness or a JD & Coke. All pints are Samuel Smith's - so have a play around - try a few. You'll find one you like. I'm partial to the Alpine Lager, so start there The place can get very hot inside - in both the summer AND the winter - so feel free to take your drink out front, but don't wander off! Stay nearby!

I ordered and paid for 5 pints at the bar on saturday. The barman poured and put 4 pints on the bar in front of me. I asked for the 5th pint and was told that I had been served 5 depite there clearly only being 4 pints. The barman argued with me agressively refusing to acknowledge that there were only 4 pints, and then refused to issue a refund or to pour another pint claiming that he had served 5. He then tried to make a scene by calling the manager over, which he prevented me from speaking to, then apologising to the nearby customers for the disruption. He then walked off and the situation was not resolved. Terrible customer service to the point of absurdity.

As a public health professional, it was a must. I enjoyed the spot and would definitely go back!

I find myself yet again reviewing another Samuel Smith pub, but I do think this particular one has a special place in my heart since it the first one I discovered. Covered in wooden carvings and what I would describe as "old man" interior decoration, the John Snow is a charming place to have a pint. The downstairs is separated by a rather strange tiny door where you are bound to hit your head unless you were gifted by a hobbit-like size. Evenings here get very busy as the pub tends to fill up with the creative media types having their after-work drinks. If you are lucky, you will be able to find a seat in the comfortable area upstairs, or if the weather is decent most people end up seeping out onto the pavements. My only slight dislike about this pub is the fact that it tends to serve the drinks in cheap plastic cups rather than glass pint glasses, but I will make do with this because of the price and atmosphere.

I really like the John Snow. In the heart of Soho, but fair enough off the tourist track to ensure it stays cool, the John Snow served a range of ales, all coming in at VERY reasonable prices. It's super-charming in a ye-olde-school English way, but always packed after work with the local media and fashion types, resulting in a really cool mix of folk.

Food is amazing value for a pub in London! Really good! I got the fish finger sandwich with chips and salad. Was lovely! It's quite small but lovely atmosphere. Drinks are fab too! And not too expensive. I wouldn't go with a large group if you want a table :-)

Is it wrong of me to admit that I fancy John Snow, the Channel Four news presenter? He's so wordly, so intelligent, so polite...If I had to choose Britain's next Prime Minister, I would choose him. He's just lovely. As I walk towards the John Snow pub, these are the thoughts that shuffle around my head. Despite the fact that this pub was named after another John Snow, it's that very tall man with his selection of multicoloured ties that I imagine as I walk inside. Though I'm yet to see him in here, I'm hoping that it will happen one day. In the mean time however, I'll just have to settle for the cheap drinks and relaxing atmosphere that this pub boasts. The Victorian decor inside the John Snow is beautiful. My friend was literally amazed at the intricacy of the wall paper and wooden coving (he doesn't get out much). The best thing about this pub however, is being able to enjoy these great surroundings and cheap prices in a location just off Soho without having to suffer the tourist masses. A must visit if you're ever in the area!

This is a Samuel Smiths house without any real ales at all and for some reason the organic lager is only available upstairs. Basically, if you like beer move along, there's nothing for you here. In common with most Sam Smiths places, it's architecturally wonderful with an interior that is much like it would have been centuries ago. It's in a great location, on the edge of the Mayfair Soho border. The residents here are either millionaires or in social housing and the vibrancy of the location cannot be understated. It's not my pick of pubs round here but it's not bad.

The John Snow is awesome. The John Snow is cheap. The John Snow is full of cool people. The John Snow is centrally located. The John Snow is super friendly. The John Snow is not stuck up John Snow's arse. The John Snow is comfortable. The John Snow is good for groups. The John Snow is no frills. The John Snow is well worth a visit. The John Snow gave me a HANGOVER.

John Snow is a charming pub, like hundreds of others in London. New York City has a definite after work cocktail hour, but it does not even compare to the comfort of an after work pint in a London public house. I love the idea of popping into a pub on your way home for a quick beer with friends. It truly is a happy hour. And yet, John Snow is nothing special. The bartenders are not very friendly, though the drinks are cheap. The upstairs room is very cool, with comfy seating. The downstairs is dark with small corners at every turn. The bathrooms are a disaster...avoid them at all costs. I like a good pint in the afternoon, but I won't be back to John Snow.

Good cheap boozer in Soho, nice old pub, has a cool little hatch door you can climb though when walking through the pub. Upstairs has good seating too. Laid back crowd, from students to tourists. Bit grungy, beer is cheap for Central London - althought I always get a nasty hangover when I drink it. One of those 'good at the time' moments that I will no doubt repeat again & again & again... Gets busy, especially weekend evenings. Handy, cheap, laid back & central.

This is a solid pub. I have mixed feelings about this place but I can't give it less than 4 stars! My soul won't let me. If you want a wheat beer or pure brewed you have to go upstairs. (22 of them the guy at the bar sarcastically informed me). You also have to duck under a weird stables like contraption (unless there's another way that wasn't immediately apparent). That said, it's a solid British boozer. Sam Smiths, so cheap and cheerful, old buildings next to where (I assume) John snow and the whole cholera epiphany pump used to be. Nothing to do with game of thrones. Sorry. Winter is coming though. It's November. Beer is good. Staff are friendly (and occasionally sarcastic). The wine list consists of white, or red. Which I massively respect. The food was actually pretty good. The Mac and cheese was exactly that and pretty good, the chicken burger was decent and the onion rings were also really good, almost as good as proper chippy ones. I recommend popping in if you're nearby and fancy a drink / lunch. I'm using it as a man park for myself as my girlfriend gets her hair done...

Nice classic London boozer. Nothing special really but a decent pint if that's what you're after. Clearly very popular. Took the obligatory GOT photo with the sign. If you plan on going to BAO next door, I recommend getting the plastic cups and queuing with your drink.

Is this the best pub in London? Nope. However, when I lived in London (way back in 2006-7), I would frequent it a when I was in the area. It has lots of seating, been around forever and always had a nice beer selection (Sam Smiths served here). Prices are pretty good for the area too, which can be quite pricey. I stopped back into the pub in 2013 and was glad it appeared as nothing had changed.

Everyone is smiling at John Snow -- and it's not because they're toooo drunk (although they are quiiiiite drunk). I went here dressed as pirate for a group birthday party (celebrating the birthdays of several, myself included.) It was a great time, and no one seemed perturbed that I was...ahem...dressed like a pirate. What more can you ask of a pub and a crowd and a night? I also ran into a friend from another continent here...completely out of the blue! There must be something magical about John Snow! Fun side note: John Snow was a British physician who stopped a cholera outbreak in SoHo by identifying the local water source as the cause...ironic that the proverbial "local watering hole" is now named after him!

My current favourite Sam Smiths pub. The beer is cheap The clientelle are guaranteed to be relaxed I love drinking on the street in Soho in the summer I like the quirky divided sections downstairs Upstairs is even better I want a pound for every time we've gone to the 'snow' for a couple then stayed all night. Talk is cheap and so are the drinks. Combine the two and you've got a great spot to catch up with mates.

Pretty cool historical site with a decent pub on top of it. I would give them 4 stars, but having to duck under half a door to go to the bathroom definitely knocks one off.

The John Snow is a Sam Smith's pub which means that whilst you might not get your favourite brands the drinks are decent and really cheap for London. The clientele is pretty mixed, but with it being in Soho there are certainly lots of media types about. It is definitely an after work place so if you're not constrained get there a bit early to get a seat. The downstairs bar is split into two sections, separated by this odd human cat-flap hole, and the upstairs winds around a central bar. The upstairs is definitely more comfortable and outside on the curb is fun on summer nights.

John Snow is Sherlock Holmes' old stomping ground. It has to be. The entire interior is reminiscent of 19th century sleuth mysteries. If I had a pipe, some tobacco and a top hat I would blend in perfectly with this place's ambience. Unfortunately I'm not packin' the old school Victorian era accessories, but nevertheless I'm still happy with having a pint in this pub. They only sell obscure beers and lager from small brewers that I've never heard of. The pints are delicious though and they go for around £3 a pop. If they have a Decadent era, Oscar Wilde romp night I'm definitely crashing.

OH Sammy Boy, you know the way to my heart. Cheap beer. This is a Sam Smith Pub, so you have an idea of what to expect. I love the location of this one, close to everything yet off the beaten path a little bit. Okay: The burger, I haven't had lots of food there, but the burger is a little under other bar chains. Good: The feeling of an Old School Pub. Great: The staff. Prices, almost everything is between 2-3 Grand: Ironically the little door I love Sam Smith Pubs.

Sam Smith's pub = reasonably priced drinks in central London in a beautiful building. One of my favourite pubs in this area because the architecture is so old and eccentric and quirky. I love having to duck under posts and through little doorways to get into another drinking snug. It's pretty well located too.

Named after the physician John Snow who identified the source of the cholera outbreak in out in Soho. There is a water pump outside that commemorates his achievements. The pub itself is nice, full of history on the walls. great drink selection -- definitely worth checking out.

Stopped here to get a cold beer. Lovely pub. Bar tender was amazing, very friendly and helpful. I HS the raspberry beer. Sweet and delicious, hubby had the dark lager. Very nice place. Will return. Loved it

A great pint, served cold and with a decent head of foam. Obviously a well managed draft system at this establishment. There was food being served, but I was just killing time, so I only had the one pint. I have been here before, and will be back again. There is no music, but everyone has earphones these days, so no biggie.

Look it has history and it is a cool looking place in soho. Its a typical pub type atmosphere and the drinks are reasonable. My co workers had the steak and ale pie and I had the gammon steak and all of the meals were just blah. The service was not friendly at all and it seemed like a trouble we came in. This area has 100 better places around and I would suggest you try those. If you want a quick pint in an old pub this is not a bad option.

Oddly enough, this pub (a fave with the after-work crowd) turns into hipster's paradise around 7 on a Thursday. Beware the bulging crowd of skinny jeans and pouty faces. It's a Sam Smith's though, so it's great for your wallet. The bartender girl upstairs didn't know what I meant by ginger beer though. She thought it was a special type of beer. Apparently saying "ginger ale" changes the WHOLE concept around.

Samuel Smith beers in a pub named after the guy who figured out how cholera was being spread (not after a guy who was a bastard from the north). Been coming here for 15 (?) years and always make it a point for a pint when in London. Tight space inside, but you'll either make fast friends or take yours onto the sidewalk. Fun tip - when it's crowded you get to limbo under a half door to make your way to the restroom :)

I always end up taking my American visitors here. It's a great location -- especially if you get off at Oxford Circus and wander around the corner and through Carnarby Street's cobblestones, street performers and cool shops to get there. Cheap pints of Samuel Smith's and the epitome of a London pub atmosphere, right down to the heaving crowds spilling out into the streets. Crowd is mostly made up of students and 20-30s professionals looking for a fun/relaxing night out without the pretense (did I mention the booze is cheap here?). It's been packed every time I've come, so don't expect to get a seat right away ... or at all at happy hour time on a Friday. Instead, get a pint and a pack of crisps and stand on the sidewalk to shoot the shit and have a smoke, for that full Londoner experience. Downside is lack of food options. Ramen Seto (see review) is right around the corner but possibly closed (it appears to have disappeared off the street). Other pubs with food stop serving at 10p. We ended up wandering all the way down to Chinatown for an overpriced meal that made me ill the next day. You are warned ... fill up on scampi fries at John Snow or sort out dinner beforehand.

You know nothing about Jon Snow? (Get it) Nice charming location. They serve alcohol. Not much more to say about it given its a pub.

We went on a Tuesday at around noon -- it was empty. 2 other groups came during the time we were there. Food was fine - nothing spectacular. Around £11 for fish and chips and around £7 for a pulled pork sandwich with added chips. We shouldn't have paid for the extra chips bc the fish and chips came with plenty to share. Nothing to complain about, nothing to rave about.

After-work HH spot where your experience completely depends on who you're with. Expect cheap drinks, no space, lots of ciggies and a generally rambunctious vibe.

I LOVE this place! Cheap, Sam Smith's goodness in a great neighbourhood.

Well this place has fallen mightily in my estimations! Won't drink here again. *** A Sam Smith's pub. Looks quite nice, the drinks are cheap but lack variety. The pub is quite spacious with an upstairs and downstairs area, but still manages to be packed, due to the aforementioned prices. There is not much else to say really. I could mention John Snow. He was a teeototaller, but I won't hold that against him because he did research the cholera epidemic, which was just about the only interesting thing we studied in GCSE history (when it comes to history I always found - industries grow.transport gets faster = boring.people dying horribly=interesting)

I'd never been further into this place than the two steps between the side door and the little bit of the bar nearest it until last Friday night. The John Snow is seemingly purveyor of the finest beer jackets this side of Newcastle - every time I go past there are vast swathes of people spilling onto the kerb, road and opposite pavements - regardless of the time of day, night or year. I've spent many a happy day doing just this in times gone by but never really gone far enough inside to properly appreciate the strange little half-walls and fenced off bits. It doesn't do much for standing room; deffo wouldn't pass the TfL Maximising Passenger Numbers test. Never mind though - there's loads more room upstairs. If you turn up after 5.30 though, you're going to need to exercise your Space Generating Elbows technique alongside your Being Friendly In Order To Take The Spare Space On That Table Over There trick. Once you're comfortable in here though, you're all set - convival atmos, cheap drinks, plenty of people to meet.

John Snow is one of those great West End pubs where all the alcohol is locally sourced from a good old English brewery, the décor has stayed the same for the last 100 years and there is always a lively buzz of atmosphere the only way to drink in West! The drinks are fairly cheap too (two pints and two shots for £12!) which makes staying longer and drinking freely a lot easier on the wallet. Just off Carnaby Street, this place gets just as busy as you would expect and unless you can literally sprint down there on the dot of 5 I highly recommend you avoid this place for a leisurely Friday drink-up unless you don't mind standing as close to people as you would at a crowded gig because it gets ridiculously busy. During the week isn't quite so busy and usually you can get a table within 15 minutes which isn't bad considering the location.

Hello, I traveled all the way from Chicago, IL, United States to see this pub because of the John Snow history. When my group walked in and looked around, a very angry employee told us this "wasn't a tourist attraction" and that we needed to leave. We were going to get a drink or something but he was so rude we left. Quite sad!!!

Call me for the drink, but not the food. The food service upstairs on the surface seemed swell, but totally unhelpful. First, no gluten-free menu--dude just hands over a notebook of ingredients for us to research. When my wife tried to order just a burger without the bun, response was, "No. It wouldn't be a burger then would it?" We decided to stay anyway donI could experience the fish and chips. But, alas, they were out of fish. Oh well. Perhaps your experience will be better.

The John Snow is a Samual Smiths pub which means you know you are going to find inexpensive, excellent quality pints. This pub can be very busy with office workers at lunchtime and after work for the above reasons, but it's not normally difficult to find a nice corner for you and your mates at other times such as the weekend. I love the little nooks and crannies in this place, it's quite easy to hide away from people you don't really want to see! If you ask nicely and want to drink outside during the summer, the bar staff will give you a plastic glass and you can puff away on your cancer sticks to your heart's discontent!

Much as the other reviewers have noted The John Snow is a strange affair of a pub. Internally it's layout is almost unworkable. Little space to manageably stand, a dividing screen stuck half way across the bar (that means trips to the loo involve leaving and reentering through the back or a two foot squat under the barrier), and other such awkwardness mean this should be a very lame beast of a pub and yet there is something quite charming about the place. The beer is from the Samuel Smith's brewery meaning a decent cheap pint is always on hand. I'm a big fan of the Alpine lager (it used to be called Ayingerbrau) which is a pretty crisp tasting lager. You can have a good drink to start an evening, but if you want a seat get here early or you'll be forced to kerb cling for most of the night.

Another Samuel Smith's in a great location tucked away near Berwick Street. Cheap pints... out of all the Samuel Smith's pubs this one seems to attract the most of the younger crowd of drinkers. A fairly large upstairs area, but it still fills at crucial moments such as work-release and other emotional slumps ( I hear 5pm is a popular time for a divorce to be announced) so seats may be a luxury at times. The pavements just outside can often be found with huddles of smokers and cross-legged slurping things.