’Oysters and stout, a great pint of real beer and the best gin and tonic in town’ is the mission statement of the Coach Makers. Sold!

The Venue
The Coach Makers has been around for over 140 years and has that kind of traditional, olde worlde charm that is so often faked at pubs across the capital. The large building dominates an entire corner with period windows, grand arches and a clean, monochrome colour scheme. Inside, the pub is set across two floors and a basement, charmingly named the Oyster Bar, Speakeasy and Gin Palace with the upstairs reserved mainly for diners although it has its own second bar. A mix of lounging sofas and a few small wooden tables fill quickly and it can be difficult to find a seat come 5.30pm. Flourishes to the decor include the chandeliers, which seem a little redundant given the evident age of the building and its inherent charm. Still, this is Marylebone so the appearance of ornate gold gilded mirrors only serves to add to the extravagance, which is counteracted by exposed brick walls.

The Atmosphere
After 5.30pm the Coach Makers fills with the after work crowd, making getting a seat something of a mission. Still, the atmosphere is certainly merry and upbeat and it’s easy to get lost in it. If you’re dining, it almost seems a shame to head upstairs to the more chilled out, albeit beautiful, dining area.

The Food
The Coach Makers menu is more restaurant like than your traditional pub offering, with a choice of oysters served four ways giving you a taste of what to expect. Unusual selections like New Forest cider braised shoulder of pork or roast organic Forge Farm pumpkin and beetroot salad sit alongside more traditional offerings such as an Aberdeen Angus burger, Caesar salad and fish pie. With prices mainly at the £15-£20 mark it’s not so expensive that you can’t indulge.

The Drink
The wine list is lengthy and reads well, although the cheapest bottle starts at £30, which is very steep. Luckily, they have a big selection of draught beer, including Amstel, Kronenbourg, Heineken, Birra Moretti, Bulmers Original, Symonds, Murphys and cask ales. This is bolstered by a choice of Becks, Budvar, Corona, Heineken and Tiger in bottles.

The Last Word
Although it is exepensive, the Coach Makers fits well within affluent Marylebone. With close attention paid to the food menu and beer offering, it holds its own against the hefty local competition.

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