The Blue Posts (Rupert Street)

The Blue Posts has stood on the corner of Rupert Street since 1739, making it one of the oldest pub sites in Soho, though the current Grade II listed building dates from around 1900. A proper freehouse, it has been a Soho meeting point for the best part of three centuries, and today pairs that history with a serious drinks list and a surprising amount going on over its several floors.

It is far more than a traditional pub in Soho at street level. The ground-floor bar specialises in British craft beer, with rotating taps of independently brewed cask ale alongside lagers and ciders, while upstairs and below sit the Mulwray wine bar and a Michelin-starred eleven-seat basement restaurant. Bar food is served from early evening, so it works for a quick pint or a full night out.

What to expect from this traditional pub in Soho

The heart of it is a well-kept freehouse bar: changing cask ales from independent brewers, craft kegs, and a proper pour in a historic, characterful room. Come for an after-work pint on the ground floor, move up to Mulwray for wine, or book well ahead for the tiny basement restaurant. It is a rare Soho pub that rewards both a five-minute visit and a whole evening.

History and the upstairs rooms

Few Soho pubs carry this much history, and fewer still back it with a Michelin kitchen and a dedicated wine bar under the same roof. The multi-level set-up sets it apart from the street's other bars. It sits among Rupert Street's food and drink names, near The Palomar, with more of the area's venues in our Soho pubs and bars listings.

How a visit works

The Blue Posts opens from late morning (from noon at weekends) until late, with bar food from 5pm and separate booking for the basement restaurant and Mulwray wine bar. The ground-floor pub is walk-in. Current details are on its official site, and it is listed as a Grade II heritage pub by CAMRA.