De Hems

What De Hems is in Soho's Chinatown

De Hems is a Dutch cafe bar at 11 Macclesfield Street, on the corner of Chinatown in Soho. It describes itself as London's one authentic Dutch pub, and a visitor goes there for draught Dutch and Belgian beers, bottled Trappist and lambic styles, and Dutch bar snacks in a busy two-floor room a few steps from Shaftesbury Avenue. The pub sits at the western edge of De Hems Chinatown, so it works equally as a pre-theatre stop or a meeting point before dinner among the neighbourhood's restaurants.

The building has a long history. The pub takes its name from a Dutch seaman who took it on in 1890, and it later became a gathering place for Dutch sailors. During the Second World War it served as an informal meeting point for members of the Dutch resistance, which is part of why it still draws Dutch and Belgian visitors today.

Beer and food at this Dutch pub

The draw at De Hems is the beer range. The bar pours Dutch and Belgian draught beers and stocks a wide bottled list that runs to Trappist, lambic and saison styles, so it suits drinkers who want something beyond a standard London pub line-up. Alongside the beer it serves Dutch-style food and snacks, with bitterballen among the items most associated with the place.

The ground floor holds the main bar, and there is additional space upstairs that is used for larger groups and bookings. The pub shows live football, which makes it busy on match days, and it can be booked for private hire. Its position on Macclesfield Street keeps it slightly off the main Gerrard Street thoroughfare while staying inside the Chinatown block.

Visiting and opening hours

De Hems is open daily, trading from late morning into the evening through the week and keeping shorter hours on Sunday. The nearest stations are Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, both a short walk away, and the pub is easy to reach on foot from the theatres around Shaftesbury Avenue. For exact current hours, table bookings or private hire, check the pub directly by phone on 020 7437 2494 or through its website before travelling, as hours can change around holidays and events.