De Hems

De Hems is a Dutch café bar in Soho, set just off Shaftesbury Avenue on Macclesfield Street, close to Chinatown. It has a clear identity: Dutch hospitality, Benelux beers, pub food, live sport and a long history that gives it more character than the average West End drinking spot. That history links the place with Dutch sailors and the Dutch World War II resistance, while the appeal today is more straightforward: a sociable Soho pub for drinks, food, football, rugby and relaxed group gatherings.

The Dutch character is what sets it apart. It sits in one of London's busiest entertainment areas, but the feel is shaped by more than location. De Hems presents itself as London's authentic Dutch pub, with a homely café-bar feel and a drinks list built around Dutch and Belgian influences. That makes it handy for a casual drink before or after dinner, a relaxed lunch, a group booking, or a longer evening over beer and conversation. It gives visitors a defined reason to choose it rather than just a stop between venues.

Food and drink sit at the centre of it. There's pub food, an exploratory drinks menu and informal table settings that suit lunches, dinners and bar snacks as much as pints with friends. The tone is relaxed rather than formal. It's also a strong option for live sport, showing major fixtures through Sky Sports and TNT Sports, including football and rugby. For Dutch football followers in particular, it's a natural place to watch Eredivisie matches and international games. Central, lively and unpretentious, this Dutch café bar suits anyone after a Soho spot with a bit more personality.