The Porterhouse is a funky but traditional bar in Covent Garden. An Irish-owned place, it carries lots of non-traditional brews. Screens inside for watching sports, lots of tables, large pub. Good service at the bar. Decent prices. Really good food & menu.

I’m a big fan of The Porterhouse. If you’re in the mood for beers, it’s probably one of the best places to go. The beer list is extensive, with several beers from many different parts of the globe. Prices are decent given the location and there’s great entertainment provided by the house band that play in the basement level in the evenings. It can get very busy on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as special occasions, making it almost impossible to move. It doesn’t detract from the ambience making The Porterhouse one of the best atmospheric pubs in Central London.

If you like large, impersonal pubs full of sharp suits and skirts, selling improbably named beers and playing music to crush the soul of any conversation, then this is your Nirvana. Every corner is packed; every corner has music or a screen; everybody is hyperactive. There is a large screen downstairs for sports events followed late evening by dubious soundalikes. Not aimed at my age group but even in my more tender years, this would have been hard work. I scoffed at the bouncers on the door but was grateful when they moved quickly to stop a fist fight between co-workers and it was only 6.20 p.m. Beer was good though and you can’t deny the buzz.

Having heard a lot about how great this place was, I have to say on finally going, I was a bit underwhelmed. Perhaps because I’m not a big beer drinker, I didn’t think it had much to offer that you couldn’t find elsewhere.

A huge sprawling establishment, it’s definitely useful if you’re in a big group, though be sure to arrange a meeting place as it’s a bit of a maze. I think what put me off was the lack of atmosphere. Perhaps it was the clientelle on the day I went, but the rowdy queues at the bar and the big groups of ‘lahhhhhds’ made me feel more like I was in a local Wetherspoons on a Friday night than a Covent Garden beer haven. There’s nothing wrong with that but not what I expected on a Tuesday night when I was out for a (relatively) quiet drink.

I’d say this place is better for big nights and loads of laughs than quiet drinks and dates. I’d be interested to see what it’s like on a Friday after work - I’d imagine the queues to get to the bar are too big to even bother.

The Porterhouse is a popular Covent Garden meeting (and drinking) place. Being tucked down Maiden Lane means that the traffic and pedestrian crowds aren’t as bad as most places in the area.

There’s a large patio area in front. Inside is also large, and benefits from having several areas: tables for groups, open spaces, poles with shelves for the standing drinkers, and a raised level with tables suited more to those who are eating. Food is decent here, and more like restaurant fare than just pub food.

The big attraction is the selection of beers. There will always be dozens of beers on tap, half of which you’ll never had heard of. And they stock bottled beers from all over the world. If you’re hankering for a taste of beer from back home, there’s a good chance the Porterhouse will have it.

Gets very busy on evenings near the end of the week as the work crowds lets off some steam.

Pretty decent place to grab a drink. Its usually busy and its nice to hang out with the people that spill into the street when the weather is good. They have a good selection of beverages, although I usually find myself grabbing some white wine. They are also open until midnight with no cover which is a plus if you find yourself kicked out of a nearby bar and just have to have another before you stagger to the night bus.

They also seem to have a high percentage of cute guys there, not sure how they manage that, and no guarantees of course, ladies, but its a decent bet if you have a wandering eye!

A good place to go on a Friday or Saturday night when the pubs shut. This place is huge, cavernous even. Interesting selection of lagers on tap. I found myself drinking one called "chiller". I was tied in by the picture of the angry looking polar bear on the tap. Try "Temple Brau" or "Weiss" too if you are into wheat beers.

This place gets really packed late in the evening. Particularly if there is a band playing. It's a great place to pull though. Popular with the ameican tourists and foreign language students. Everyone seems to be up for a good time. Reminds me alot of university!

I've been here a few times now, the first time was to meet friends to go on for dinner. It's a really welcome place and a bit of a rabbit's warren inside.

The staff are friendly and you get served pretty quickly considering how rammed it can get by the bar.. I've only had wine here and by the half carafe - I was surprised to find out that the wine was on tap! Quite reasonably priced too and the perfect place to head pre or post dinner.

Ultimately one of my favourite drinking establishments in London town! I first went in there when I was working in Covent Garden last year and it is a great all round pub.

With a small front terrace at the front which is very packed in the warmer months, with a very good vibe about the place. As you enter the front doors you feel instantly welcome as you walk down into a delightful decorated establishment. A pub with an unusual layout over 3 floors, you have the ground floor with a big, shiny bar and nice lighting, plenty of seating. Then down below there is cellar level which has a slightly different vibe to it and is a bit darker, with it's own bar and separated into smaller areas all around, nicely decorated with cabinets full of 'every beer imaginable' from across the globe!

Then you have the windy staircase going up to the top floor where you can walk around via a balcony looking over the floor below. I just love this pub, and if you especially a lover of world beers, you will love this place. I highly recommend this place for all type of nights out, whether it's a quite mid-week beer to watching live bands in the basement on a Saturday night.