The Couch

Okay I wasn’t a customer which is quite embarrassing to be honest. Stopped by the other night because we were freezing cold and needed somewhere to chill. It seemed hidden but it’s not really hidden at all. It’s a nice warm environment and we just chilled on one of the brown couches by the window.
By the time you read this you’ll realize that the Couch is closed because of Crossrail developments. They were a real friendly bunch considering we weren’t patrons but they didn’t seem to mind, or notice.

The Couch is a nice, modern, fairly upscale gastropub with yummy food and pleasant décor.
My colleagues and I went to The Couch for a Friday afternoon group lunch and had a jolly nice time. There were about 15 of us in the group, so we got a big long table (with a few other small tables added on to the ends) in the lovely, sunny corner of the room. I’m a big sucker for mismatched wooden chairs, monochromatic-​painted old chandeliers, and exposed bricks on interior walls, so I was pretty pleased with the place before we’d even ordered.
**Warning: I’ve heard this place gets quite packed at night, so do inquire about reservations if you intend to eat here after work**
The food was great – about half of our group got burgers, but what yummy burgers they were! The non-​burger-​eaters were just as delighted with their food, though we all agreed that the chips were a little bit flaccid. All it all, it was an excellent meal and we all walked away thoroughly stuffed and happy.

It’s easy to get to as it’s just off Oxford St and near Soho, and you can reserve tables so it’s perfect for bigger gatherings.
We ordered a few anti-​pasto boards as they seemed reasonabley priced (£1.50 per item). This wasn’t really the case as we only got 3 slices of chorizo, 5 olives, 2 slices of sausage and so on. The chips were good though.

The Couch is a bar/​pub on Dean Street. It is quite a large place that operates across one open plan room. The bar is on the right hand side and there are a range of sofas, tables chairs and benches. The décor is typically upwardly-​mobile pub. It is generally pretty busy, and seems popular with the after work crowd.
The bar is well stocked and the place is a decent enough option. I once went as part of a friend’s birthday night out and it worked well with a good sized group. It was an intermediate stage of the night and I don’t know that it would work as much more than that.
A decent if unexciting place to get a drink off Oxford Street.

The Bath House is quite a nice pub located on Dean St. in Soho. It definitely has a Soho vibe about it in its aesthetic. I find the interior design a little bit sterile. There are shiny hand rails, wooden floor boards, and typical pub furniture. It has a kind of contemporary English pub feel, but it isn’t as cosy as some of the pubs in the area.
The sign claims that the have the best pub food in Soho. I’m not sure if that’s true, but the Traditional English menu looks pretty good, and everything is under 10 pounds, which is not always the case in the area.

The perfect after work destination!
I often arrange to meet friends after work at the Couch. Its great location right in the centre of London is perfect especially if it turns into an un-​planned big night out!
The venue is large and spacious with comfy brown leather seating lining the window wall with large and small wooden tables. The food is delicious and perfect for lunch, dinner or sharing whilst having a drink.
It does tend to get overcrowded and too busy on a Thursday and Friday evening, people are often spilling out if the door and scattered on the pavement especially the smokers amongst us.
I always find the bouncers so friendly and that is a rarity in London! The club across the road from Couch is affiliated and you will pay discounted prices or even get in for free!
Do note that you should reserve a table if planning to go here with a big group especially on Thursday and Fridays!

If you’re looking for a great little place on an afternoon or a Sunday I couldn’t recommend The Couch more. It’s a comfy, welcoming bar with a great food menu, all freshly prepared on the premises, which even fussy eaters like my parents enjoyed and the service was excellent, the staff allowing us to try some wine before deciding and being knowledgeable of the menu.
It’s a shame then that such an obviously great little place seems to go a bit awry after 5pm weekdays. I’ve been here often on a evening and if you’re just having a drink with your mates then great but for some reason, no matter how busy the place is, the music is set to ridiculously high levels, so much that there’s no point eating as you can’t really chat to whomever your with. The vast crowds from the offices nearby don’t seem to mind and so as a place for groups of people it works, just not one for intimate chats and catch-​ups!