London Pubs

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Pubs have traditionally been the focal point for Londoners to meet with friends and wind down after work. The most popular drinks are draught beers, which mean they are 'pulled' straight from the barrel. As each barrel is delivered from the brewery and stored away from the bar (mostly in cellars) until required, the beer is conditioned during this time. Of course, although barrel storage is of prime importance, other factors can also have a significant effect upon the beer's eventual quality (such as the length of pipes from cellar to pump). And, as you'll easily be able to tell a badly conditioned beer by its taste, feel free to ask for a replacement if served a sub-standard pint (unless of course, the owner has a rabid looking pit bull or the physical attributes of a Bulgarian weightlifter).

However, the quality of brewing in Britain has improved immeasurably over the last two decades and this is due in no small part to the efforts of CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale - who have pressed brewers into raising standards and increasing the range of beers sold.

Ironically, a number of large UK brewers such as Bass and Whitbread's have recently sold their brewing operations to foreign competitors like the Belgian firm Interbrew. Luckily however, London is blessed with two excellent large brewers in Young's and Fuller's. You'll find either company's beers sold in a large proportion of London pubs and all of their products are certainly worth a try. Our particular favourites include London Pride, Honeydew and Chiswick beers from Fuller's along with Waggle Dance, Best and Winter Warmer from Young's.

There are two main types of pub. The 'tied' pub will be owned by a brewery who employ a landlord/lady to run the establishment. Tied pubs primarily sell draught beers produced by their brewer although others will also be available. 'Freehouses' are not owned by a brewer so the landlord/lady has a greater degree of independence over which draught beers are chosen. Moreover, Freehouses are a great place to sample beers from smaller brewers who often struggle to find an outlet for their products.

There are two sizes of beer glass, a pint and a half-pint and you should always ask for a "pint" or a "half" when ordering draught beer. A pint is equivalent to 0.6 of a litre, while a half is 0.3 of a litre.

Unfortunately, London pubs are traditionally more expensive than those elsewhere in the UK, so expect to pay between £3 for a pint of beer (certain pub chains such as Weatherspoon's do offer cheaper prices though). As well as draught beer, pubs also sell a range of bottled beers e.g. Budweiser, Budvar, Becks, Fosters, apple ciders (either draught or bottles), spirits and wines. Alcopop style drinks, such as Bacardi Breezers and Smirnoff Mules are also sold.

And unlike the bad old days, when pork scratchings, dodgy peanuts and past their sell-by-date crisps were the norm, many pubs now offer a pretty decent range of hot meals, sandwiches and salads at reasonable prices. Less savvy pub goers should note that, as table service does not exists in pubs, you'll have to order drinks and food at the bar. At best, you'll get your food brought to the table, though finding cutlery and condiments usually involves a hunt for a non-descript trolley or table. It's actually an old English tradition (dating back to the early 90s), which serves as a precursor to having a go on the pub's quiz machine (hint: check in the most obscure part of the pub first).

Centrally located pubs are particularly busy on Friday evenings and weekends, when you'll find it almost impossible to find a seat if you arrive after 5pm.

The Albert

52 Victoria Street, SW1H 0NP, Tel: 020 7222 5577, Tube: St James Park, Show Map
A superb example of a Victorian style pub, with many original fittings and beautifully etched windows. The pub has a good selection of draught beers (including Theakstons) and bottled beers. It also has a good reputation for food, with the carvery on the pub's first floor always being a hive of activity.

All Bar One

48 Leicester Square, WC2H 7LT, Tel: 020 7747 9921, Tube: Leicester Square, Notable beers: Fullers London Pride, Caffreys, Staropramen, Show Map
With numerous All Bar One's located in prominent spots across London, the Leicester Square branch is one of the most popular. As a "chain pub", the group's usual selection of beers (Fuller's London Pride, Grolsch and Caffrey's on draught) is often accompanied by a good range of wines, as well as quality food served in a bright (if slightly bland) setting. However, you'll always get a good buzz here.

Anchor Bankside

234 Park Street, SE1, Tel: 020 7407 1577, Tube: London Bridge, Show Map
Historical pub on Bankside, right next to Southwark Bridge and a pleasant stop off point if you've just visited The Globe or Vinopolis. While a recent refurbishment has taken away the rickety and worn feel here, there's a pleasant dining area and good sized beer garden next to the Thames.

The Audley

41 Mount Street, W1K 2RX, Tel: 020 7499 1843, Tube: Bond Street, Show Map
This pub in exclusive Mayfair oozes character and charm, sitting happily with the exclusive shops on Audley Street. Many of the original fixtures remain, including the chandeliers and decorative ceilings. The dining room upstairs is also an excellent setting for a traditional style lunch.

The Blind Beggar

337 Whitechapel Road, E1 1BU, Tel: 020 7247 6195, Tube: Whitechapel, Show Map
The Blind Beggar is primarily known for its association with the Krays who were major players in the London gangland scene during the sixties. It was in this pub on 8 March 1966 that Ronnie Kray murdered a rival gangster, George Cornell, with a bullet in the head. This rather grisly association makes it a reasonably popular destination for tourists aware of the story. However, it's not a bad spot for a drink either, and reasonably accessible from the centre of town.

The Camden Head

2 Camden Walk, N1 8DY, Tel: 020 7359 0851, Tube: Angel, Show Map
If you're in dire need of refreshment after trawling the antique shops in Camden Passage, you could do worse than make a beeline for this pleasant pub. Tastefully refurbished about 6 years ago, the makeover spruced up the handsome centre bar, also adding pleasant booths and banquettes. Decorative engraved windows also enhance the pub's overall appeal. Decent, reasonably priced bar food is available and, on a nice day, the outside patio area makes a nice spot to watch the world go by.

The Chandos

29 St Martins Lane, WC2N 4ER, Tel: 020 7836 1401, Tube: Leicester Square, Show Map
Large, popular pub owned by the brewers Samuel Smith. The pub was refurbished to give it a Victorian feel, with hand-crafted mahogany drinking booths installed downstairs. Upstairs, a more relaxed environment has been created with comfy sofas and coffee tables. Naturally, Samuel Smith beers are available on draft.

Churchill Arms

119 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LN, Tel: 020 7727 4242, Tube: Notting Hill Gate, Show Map
Pleasant watering hole, decorated with Winston Churchill memorabilia and various bits of traditional English bric-a-brac. Decent beer from London brewer Fuller's can be had on draft, while attached to the pub is a conservatory that's home to a good Thai restaurant. N.B. the small room connecting the two, turns into an additional dining area after 6pm. Annoyingly, however, there's nothing to indicate this will happen, so non-eaters may suddenly find themselves without a seat.

Cittie of Yorke

22 High Holborn, WC1V 6BS, Tel: 020 7242 7670, Tube: Holborn, Notable beers: Samuel Smith's, Show Map
This is one of the most historic pubs in London. Indeed, there's been an inn/pub on this site since the early 15th century. The main room, with its impressive trussed roof plays host to one of the longest pub bars in England. Huge barrels are displayed on the gallery above, each capable of holding 1000 gallons (more than 4000 litres) of wine - in days gone by the only alcoholic drink you could buy here. Small cubicles on either side of the room help to emphasize the Cittie's old world charm, while in the main room, there's another smaller bar and some cellar rooms (that are frequently used for private functions).

The Coach and Horses

29 Greek Street, W1, Tel 020 7437 5920, Tube: Leicester Square, Show Map
Despite the rather spartan appearance, this pub is actually a Soho institution and a home-from-home for the neighbourhood's hardened drinkers (as well as London's rudest landlord, Norman Balon). For many years it was the drinking den of satirists from the popular satirical magazine Private Eye. Moreover, one of the pubs most well-known patrons, Jeffrey Bernard had a play Jeffrey Bernard is unwell written about him (the most recent performances being at the Old Vic last year). His drunken exploits were actually set in this very hostelry. A reasonable selection of beers, but food only extends to sandwiches.

The Coal Hole

91 The Strand, WC2R 0DW, Tel: 020 7379 9883, Tube: Charing Cross, Show Map
A pretty decent watering hole on the Strand with two bars, one of which is located in a cellar.

If you're planning to spend an evening in Covent Garden or seeing a West End show, then the Coal Hole's central location makes it an excellent stop off point for a few drinks. The selection of beers should keep you happy and the food here is good value too.

The Dickens Inn

St Katherine's Way, St Katherine's Dock, E1W 1UH, Tel: 020 7488 2208, Tube: Tower Hill, Show Map
St Katherine's Dock has proved a real draw for Londoners and tourists alike as a trendy shopping and leisure area. One of the best attractions is the atmospheric Dickens Inn. Surprisingly, the original building was a warehouse which was moved from its original home further along the Thames and remodelled as a three story, galleried inn. And we think they've made a pretty good job of it too. In total, there are five bars, a couple of restaurants, an outdoor area and balconies from where you can take in the pleasant view over the marina (slightly spoilt by the bulk of the Thistle hotel).

The Founders Arms

Bankside, SE1 9JH, Tel: 020 7928 1899, Website: www.youngs.co.uk, Tube: Blackfriars, Notable beers: Young's beers, Show Map
Well placed to sweep up thirsty visitors to the Tate Modern, this Young's pub makes a pleasant watering hole, particularly during the summer. Here, you can sit out on the large outdoor terrace, soak up the sun and watch pleasure boats plying their trade along the Thames. However, keep an eye out for pigeons if you get a table near the roof ledge!

Refurbished a couple of years ago, the pub's interior (light and airy) serves as great place in which to sample draught beers from one of London's few remaining large brewers.

The French House

49 Dean House, W1D 5BE, Tel: 020 7437 2799, Tube: Leicester Square, Show Map
Another pub with historical associations, albeit 20th century ones. During World War II the pub was effectively home to the leaders of the free French forces under Charles de Gaulle. After the war it became a favourite drinking haunt for luminaries such as the author Dylan Thomas and Francis Bacon, while the pub's French influence was further cemented by the owner Gaston Berlemont. The upstairs restaurant is a popular spot for lunch, while a quirk unique to the French House is that beer is only sold in half-pint glasses.

The George Inn

77 Borough High Street, SE1 1NH, Tel: 020 7407 2056, Tube: London Bridge, Notable Beers: Fuller's London Pride, Show Map
Another Pub with real character, the George in Borough is popular because of its large open courtyard and the historic overhanging gallery. The inn itself has a number of bars, an upstairs restaurant area and a couple of private rooms. Along with a good selection of popular draught beers, the food here is pretty good too.

The Horniman

Hays Galleria, SE1 2BA, Tel: 020 7407 1991, Tube: London Bridge, Show Map
Located in a prime spot by Hay's Galleria and facing out over the Thames (the battleship HMS Belfast is moored just alongside) the Horniman is a large pub spread out over two levels. Crowded at lunchtimes with local office workers, outdoor seating is available, although many choose to take their drinks and wander a little further along Bankside. The pub offers a good selection of good draught beers and food, with a pleasant (and large) bar area. However, if you're after a table, get there before midday to beat the crowds.