The John Snow

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 27 reviews

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39 Broadwick Street,
Soho,
London,
W1F 9QJ

0872 148 1911
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.

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31/01/2012
Terrible terrible place.Nothing like it claims to be. Wouldn't go back.period.
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Reviewer londonistar
18/04/2011
I'm gay. A militantly political gay couple insisted on going snogging-overboard in the pub one evening and were subsequently asked to tone it down or leave. Any hetero couple would likely have been asked to moderate overly sexual behaviour but no...any opp to make a story and here we go again. This was and remains a pleasant place to drink in Soho, a great pub, in spite of the stupid and unnecessary militantly political stance some have taken towards the place in order to drive the owners out of business for some absurd reason. There are plenty of places in Soho where you can go and act out teenage fantasies to annoy your parents. I'll be drinking here more often than previously to demonstrate that nasty bullying by a militant extreme won't succeed. I can't stand it.
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Reviewer Deanoi
18/04/2011
I used to drink here a couple of times a month but since a gay couple were thrown out for having a kiss I won't be going until the Manager is reprimanded and the brewery offer an apology to the LGBT community and more importantly to the couple concerned. If this has been done to a heterosexual couple also then I will reconsider my position but I'm afraid this bigoted establishment has no place in this great city of ours.
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Reviewer Vampster
16/04/2011
A nasty place for nasty people - spit on the cesspit and step on.
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31/01/2012
dead on!
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16/04/2011
Terrible staff and atmosphere. Plenty of better bars in the area. Avoid.
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Reviewer Abson76
16/04/2011
"If people don't like the house rules, drink and cavort elsewhere."
That sounds like 'time' at the bar at The John Snow.
a tenner says the land it's on gets turned into flats.
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Reviewer Innes5
16/04/2011
If people don't like the house rules, drink and cavort elsewhere. This is not a gay bar, have some consideration for those who find the lifestyle choices and antics of some people offensive,

Respect and tolerance works BOTH ways
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Reviewer anthonyn
16/04/2011
Whether you like or not, we have anti-discrimination laws which bans all services from refusing people because of their gender, ethnicity, sexuality. However, fear not, there is an abundance of intolerant countries that would welcome you with open arms. I hear Iran still has the death penalty for being gay.
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Reviewer AFR
21/04/2011
i thought the place was alright, i doubt i could enjoy a drink if there were two blokes getting off in the corner. sounds like the owner was pretty reasonable about it and people are over reacting, not every bar in soho has to be a gay bar
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Reviewer AFR
21/04/2011
i thought the place was alright, i doubt i could enjoy a drink if there were two blokes getting off in the corner. sounds like the owner was pretty reasonable about it and people are over reacting, not every bar in soho has to be a gay bar
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Reviewer alexcn
15/04/2011
A man has told of how he was ordered to leave a central London pub after a staff member objected to him kissing a man he was on a date with.

James Bull, 23, said he and Jonathan Williams, 26, were thrown out of the John Snow on Broadwick Street, Soho.

Mr Bull said he was "shaking" after a woman claiming to be the pub's landlady removed them for being "obscene".

The Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident, while the John Snow pub is yet to comment.

Samuel Smith's brewery, the owner of the pub, declined to comment on the incident.

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Reviewer griffingeorge
15/04/2011
disgusting dirty pub with terrible staff and beer. I hope it closes down.
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Reviewer Matt2010
15/04/2011
Have frequented the pub quite a few times in the past. Work near Soho and i know quite a few people from our office go here to. It was decided today that none of us would enter the premises again until an apology is made and an example made of the bigots who run the pub. Shame.... that's about 25 of us who wont be spending money here again.
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Reviewer alex247days
16/04/2011
Well done the John Snow, if these guys want to kiss why don't they do it in a gay club or pub. The fact is that some gay people tend to be insensitive to the feelings of other people and feel that they have a right to behave in an obscene manner where ever and without regard for the general public. These idiots on the TV were a prime example. Anyone sitting at a table in a pub with a man and woman kissing would feel uncomfortable let alone a couple of men. I'm sure if it had been a quick peck on the check there wouldn't have been a problem.The point is, I am tolerant up to a point, but I resent when this is abused by people who behave in a selfish manner. I would not be surprised if this had been staged to get some media coverage. That fact is that these people are now trying to close this pub down, you only have to look at the other comments. If I was in London I would make a point of going there and spending some money to show some support. In my opinion the landlord did nothing wrong and if this pub is forced to close, with the loss of staff jobs, then I feel it is a sin. I hope it plays on these two guys conscience. Who are the intolerant ones now!
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15/04/2011
This used to be unpretentious, easy going place that I felt comfortable going to, especially as its local to work. I could think of dozens of alternatives nearby but this place used to be very relaxed - a bit different from the swankier wine bars and pre-dinner venues I would go to with colleagues or the gay venues I might go to with colleagues or gay friends, but even as a straight single woman Id feel uncomfortable here now regardless of my personal beliefs as I don't really know who they cater for or if I'm welcome here as a woman let alone some of my gay friends.
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Reviewer jcassidy
15/04/2011
Disgusting behaviour from John Snow who have shut their doors and won't open comment on the incident of throwing out two blokes from Wednesday night. Not only are they discriminatory and narrow minded, but have clearly missed an opportunity to market themselves and make amends. Show your support whether you gay, straight or transgendered and avoid this pub at all costs.
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Reviewer glenstreatham
15/04/2011
shame on you john snow for your horrible discriminatory attitude. I will walk past on the opposite side of the street tomorrow and hope to see you have no customers, straight or gay. This is truly unbelievable. When I heard the story on the radio, I thought it was somewhere in the outback of unenlightened middle England and then realised it was the john snow. Despite all the legislation, gay equality has many mountains to climb.
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Reviewer jameswhy
15/04/2011
Cannot believe a landlord in the middle of SOHO kicked out a couple of guys for kissing, this chain should be ashamed of their backward attitude. They should sack the manager now . Shame this type of attitude exists especially in the middle of London.
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Reviewer achonacho
15/04/2011
Shame, whilst most Samuel Smiths pubs seem to be really good, this one leaves a lot to desire. Poor service, and bad management attitude. A change would be welcome
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Reviewer bigal3
15/04/2011
it's in SOHO, could the area be more gay? did they really think they wouldn't get a gay couple in-ever?
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Reviewer bigal3
15/04/2011
it's dirty and common with horrible staff. Even as a straight guy i feel unwelcome, why do nasty people go into the hospitality industry?2 guys kissing doesn't bother me-but then i'm happy within my sexuality and don't feel threatened.
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Reviewer bigal3
15/04/2011
The John Snow was named after the 19th century physician who traced an outbreak of cholera to the water pump on Broadwick Street. The problem was solved by removing the handle to stop people drinking there. Remove the pub landlord to stop the spread of this outbreak of vile bigotry!
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Reviewer Notfriendly
14/04/2011
Perfect pub for right wing, jack boot wearing drinkers. The rest of us will be looking for more tolerant establishments.
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Reviewer equinox
14/04/2011
The shame of this pub for rudely ejecting a gay couple for kissing is made worse by the attitude and reaction of the staff to requests for an explanation..

This kind of prejudiced attitude to customers and lack of understanding of the multicultural nature of Soho in London where it is based is shameful in this day in age.

I wont be drinking there again.
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Reviewer albasquash
15/04/2011
I wouldn't be surprised if dozens of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people descend upon the bar, order gallons of tap water and start a kissathon. How fabulously demonstrative if they do. I would not be avoiding the pub, id be there kissing the face off customers.
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Reviewer diuegdig2
14/04/2011
I work in Soho & have been here several times. Never again, & i'm straight. Will tell my workmates to stay away.
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Reviewer anthonyn
14/04/2011
no stars, shameful to expect a pub to do this in London. I have currently been living in South America for over a year and i am constantly telling people how open-minded people are in the UK and especially London and how our anti-discrimination laws have sent out a clear message to society and particularly the service industry. Well i am going to take it all back!

funny thing is now you have managed to properly get noticed, nationally/even internationally and not in a very good way. You obviously messed with the wrong people!

Looking forward to the next instalment
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Reviewer leegrant
14/04/2011
A great pub that I have frequented many times over the years, I definitely wont be frequenting this pub ever again particularly after reading the recent stories in the Guardian and the Pink Paper.
Rest assured i will be telling everyone about this, and i will display the newspaper cuttings in all of our staff-rooms.
These kind of people shouldn't be allowed to run pubs. I sincerely hope business hits an all time low for the John Snow Pub - Broadwick Street - Soho. LS
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Reviewer iansmith
14/04/2011
It is a nice pub that does a good pint.......Your point is based on one side of a story in the Guardian.....
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14/04/2011
Serious note. The John Snow operates a 'no gays' policy and actively removes gay couples from the premises. Not a gay friendly pub!
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Reviewer wurzel
22/02/2011
Popped in for a pint after having read in the guide booksabout the Broad Street Pump. Had a pint of Alpine lager which was very good. The man behind the bar was welcoming, and there was plenty of seating available. Liked the quirky door from the saloon bar leading to the other bar. A very enjoyable Half an hour
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Reviewer DenverNancy
19/09/2010
I went there with a friend because of the name association with John Snow, my being an epidemiologist. I just had a pint upstairs, no food. We found it comfortable, friendly, and not too noisy.
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Reviewer Anonymous
12/10/2006
The John Snow pub does a good pint and a good dinner. It is a very comfy pub with a good range of beers and very friendly staff. I often come to the John Snow of a lunchtime to get away from the office and it is always a welcome relief.
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Reviewer terry.w
19/08/2009
I used to use this pub a lot in the late 70's early 80's with my good friend George when we used to work just over the road. It has changed a lot but is still a nice pub.

It's named after Dr. John Snow who, in the 19th century discovered that cholera was spread by water. As good an argument as you are going to get to drink a beer in the John Snow.

I have fond memories of this place, especially lager at 50p a pint, and that was 1979 by the way, and not served by Dr. John himself in the 1840's!

Terry
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