When Pints Are a Rarity — and April Fools’ Day is Sacred
In the heart of Soho, among the bustling pubs of London, there’s one place that proudly defies convention: The French House. Known for its bohemian charm, rich cultural history, and strict anti-technology policy, this pub also boasts one of the city’s most peculiar drinking traditions.
For nearly the entire year, The French House refuses to serve beer in full pints. Instead, every customer receives only a half pint, and that’s non-negotiable. But once a year, on April 1st, the taps are freed, the rules are bent — and pints are back on the menu, for just one day.
A Pub Like No Other
Located at 49 Dean Street, this iconic Soho watering hole has long been a gathering spot for writers, artists, actors, and eccentrics. Originally known as The York Minster, it later adopted its French name and cultivated an atmosphere where conversation reigns supreme.
Here, you won’t find TVs, loud music, or people scrolling on phones. And until recently, you also wouldn’t find pint glasses — at least not in use.
According to pub lore, the pint ban dates back to a barroom brawl in the 1920s, allegedly involving some sailors who used their pint glasses as weapons. The publican, in a moment of inspired damage control, banned pints altogether — and the tradition stuck.
April 1st: A Glorious Exception
Each year on April 1st, or the nearest weekday, the pint ban is lifted for just one day during an annual event known as Pints Day. On this day:
- The pub opens early, and people queue up for a taste of the forbidden full pint.
- The first pint is often pulled by a celebrity guest bartender — past participants have included Suggs (lead singer of Madness), Ken Stott, Angela Hartnett, and even political journalists.
- The pints are served in rarely used glassware, carefully washed and brought up from storage just for the occasion.
- Much of the day’s profits go to charity, often supporting the local Soho Parish School.
- Items such as pint glasses, artwork, and memorabilia are sometimes auctioned for fundraising.
The entire day takes on a festive, almost sacred atmosphere, as locals and loyal patrons savor a simple pleasure denied to them for 364 days a year.
Why No Pints the Rest of the Year?
The pint ban might sound absurd, but it has become a kind of sacred rule — part of The French House’s identity. Serving beer in half-pints encourages slower drinking, better conversation, and — in theory — fewer drunken mishaps. It also adds to the mystique of the place.
In a city saturated with cookie-cutter pubs, The French House stands out by deliberately doing things its own way. And when something is forbidden, even temporarily, it only becomes more desirable. That’s the psychological genius of Pints Day — it transforms the everyday into something worth celebrating.
Pandemic Exception & Public Response
Interestingly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the pub temporarily allowed pint servings — not as a rejection of tradition, but to reduce queues and limit contact at the bar. However, as soon as circumstances allowed, the ban returned — and so did Pints Day.
For many Londoners, especially those living or working near Soho, the first of April is now marked not by pranks, but by a cherished ritual in a small, iconic pub, where community and character matter more than convenience.
Conclusion
If you find yourself in Soho, don’t expect to walk into The French House and order a pint — unless it’s April 1st. But do come for the atmosphere, the conversation, and the timeless charm of a place that remembers what pubs were always meant to be: not just places to drink, but places to connect.
And if you are lucky enough to be there on Pints Day — raise your glass. You’ve earned it.
Sources:
- londonist.com/london/drink/pints-day-french-house-soho
- timeout.com/london/blog/hooray-its-pints-day-at-french-house-033117
- londonshoes.blog
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_French_House,_Soho
- mylondon.news/whats-on/reviews
- readsector.com/grade-ii-listed-french-pub-in-londons-soho-lifts-100-year-ban-on-pints
