| Pub | Comments | Location |
|---|---|---|
| BETHNAL GREEN | ||
| The Approach Inn | A rather nice traditional interior with dark wood panelling and a high ceiling. There is also a large ugly conservatory extension at the front. The Fullers range plus a guest are on hand pump. The food is reputed to be good. There's an art gallery upstairs!
Last visited March 2004. |
Approach Road / Robinson Road |
| The Pride of Spitalfields | Five real ales are available in this plain traditional back-street boozer. Friendly staff, drinkers and pub cat.
Last visited June 2008. |
Heneage Street / Brick Lane |
| BRENTFORD | ||
| Waterman's Arms | A small friendly one bar local, serving Greene King ales and good food. The menu features English and Japanese dishes, and the unpronouncable dish I chose was very nice.
Last visited July 2007. |
Ferry Lane |
| CENTRAL LONDON | ||
| A typical bar in the airport terminal style, with prices to match. Worthington Smoothflow on tap. Now closed as Eurostar have moved to St Pancras.
Last visited November 2002. |
Waterloo International Station, after passport control | |
| Argyll Arms | A stunning Victorian gem dating mainly from 1895. Three small drinking areas lead off from the entrance corridor, and there's a larger room at the back. Superb cut glass mirrors and partitions, decorated iron columns and a splendid wrought iron balustrade all contribute to the decor. A selection of real ales are available and the menu looks good.
Last visited October 2008. |
Argyll Street / Oxford Street |
| Betjemen Arms | When I visited Saint Pancras Station just after its refurbishment was completed in late 2007 I complained that while it boasted the longest champagne bar in the world, there was no real ale. I am pleased to report that this omission has been rectified by the opening of the Betjemen Arms, a large pub with pleasantly understated modern decor including the inevitable bare pipes and ducts above, and a nice wooden floor. My pint of London Pride was served in a now uncommon "dimple", presumably as part of the "British Pub Experience". The menu looks good but it's certainly not cheap.
Last visited May 2011. |
St. Pancras International Station |
| Bree Louise | What a find! One fairly plain but well cared for open room in this corner house in a back street close to Euston station. Half a dozen real ales on hand pump and more served by gravity, and they always seem to include some unusual brewery I've never tried before. The Acrow prop holding up the ceiling was a bit worrying but it's now gone. The food is good, I had a very nice pie. There's money off each pint for CAMRA members, so make sure you take your card. Only one negative thing to say about this place - it's deservedly popular and you will have difficulty finding a seat.
Last visited May 2011. |
Coburg Street |
| Calthorpe Arms | A pleasant traditional one roomed street corner local serving real ales from the Wells and Young's range. There's another bar and a dining area upstairs as well. Very quiet at lunch time mid-week.
Last visited December 2008. |
Greys Inn Road / Wren Street |
| Cittie of York | Wonderful! A completely fake, as it was rebuilt in the 1920s, attempt at Ye Olde England, with a high-ceilinged hall as the main room, decorated with giant vats, wood panelling, stained glass and wrought iron partitions which divide off a number of dinky four-seat booths. There's also a front dining room and a cellar bar which are not open at quiet times. Amazingly, the Sam Smiths Old Brewery Bitter was only £1.86!
Last visited October 2008. |
High Holborn |
| Coopers | This pleasant basement bar on the station concourse serves a fine pint of Bass along with a number of other hand-pulled ales. Nice and peaceful at 10.30 in the morning; wedged and lively during a world cup footie match.
Last visited February 2005. |
Waterloo Station |
| Counting House | This member of the Fuller's Ale and Pie chain serves the full Fullers range on hand pump in an extremely impressive interior with mosaic floor, marble and dark wood panelled walls, plasterwork ceiling and a large domed lantern. There's also a fine mural on the wall at the front.
Last visited January 2008. |
Cornhill |
| Devereux | Five real ales are available in one large l-shaped room which has some nice booths with glass partitions. There's also a dining room upstairs, I think.
Last visited January 2008. |
Devereux Court, off Fleet Street |
| Doric Arch | Formerly the Head of Steam, and the excellent real ale continues under the new owners:
About ten handpumps serve an impressive range of real ales in this splendid pub hidden in the first floor of an office block by Euston Station. The decor includes lots of railway signs of course. Last visited November 2007. |
1 Eversholt Street |
| Duke Of York | A plain busy station bar serving a fine pint of London Pride. Noted boarded up for redevelopment work in September 2009.
Last visited November 2007. |
Platform 8, King's Cross Station |
| Edgar Wallace | About eight real ales on sale in this very pleasant two-storey pub, decorated with dark wood panelling. Don't panic when you go in and see only lager, the hand pumps are just behind the pillar! The food looks good.
Last visited June 2008. |
Essex Street off The Strand |
| Euston Flyer | This Fuller's house has rather good traditional decor, perhaps a little plastic. A full range of Fuller's ales is available on hand pump, along with draught Hoegaarden. The food is pretty good, I had Bangers and Mash. The time bell is located in the middle of the pub, worked from behind the bar by a rope and pulley system.
Last visited June 2002. |
83 Euston Road, opposite the new British Library |
| Euston Tap | A new member of the cluster of real ale pubs round Euston station, this minute pub is squeezed into one of the two 1870s "lodges" located at the front of the station. A vast selection of craft beers is offered on draft and in bottles. The cask ales are served from eight electric or gas pump taps, a very unusual method of dispense outside Scotland, but are none the worse for that. Well worth a visit, but I don't think I'd bother at peak times, you won't get in the door.
Last visited May 2011. |
Euston Road |
| Founder's Arms | A very busy modern plastic pub/restaurant serving Young's beers on hand pump. The patio overlooks the Thames. The food looks good.
Last visited June 2002. |
South Bank, by the Tate Modern |
| George Inn | This wonderful bit of pub history is the remaining part of a great coaching inn of the seventeenth century. It was built after a fire in 1676, but part was demolished in 1890. What remains includes a three storey gallery with balconies overlooking the yard. Now owned by the National Trust, it serves real ale from Greene King.
Last visited October 2009. |
Borough High Street |
| Horse and Bower | A pleasantly decorated one room corner house, very quiet on a Tuesday afternoon. Real ales from Shepherd Neame were spot on.
Last visited September 2009. |
Horseferry Road / Monck Street |
| Mabel's Tavern | This pleasant friendly local is a Shepherd Neame house and serves all of their brews. Conveniently located just across Euston Road from St Pancras station.
Last visited September 2007. |
Mabeldon Road |
| Mad Bishop and Bear | A rather fine Fuller's house located upstairs in Paddington Station. A full range of their own brews plus guests are served in this nicely decorated pub which features ceiling plasterwork, some wood panelling, cut glass mirrors and a tiled and wood floor. I think it's all fake, but very nice nonetheless.
Last visited July 2010. |
Paddington Station |
| Marquis of Granby | Splendid traditional decor with dark wood panelling in this small pub which was serving seven real ales when I visited. The menu looks nice, and there's a restaurant area upstairs.
Last visited September 2009. |
Dean Bradley Street, Westminster. |
| Princess Louise | Wow! Cut glass and carved wood partitions, cut, engraved and gilded mirrors and some fine ceramics make for a stunning interior which dates from a remodelling in 1891. The island bar back is surmounted by a short decorated clock tower. Part of the counter is surrounded by small ornate booths for private drinking. The marble urinals in the gents are worth a look as well. The real ale is a remarkably cheap pint of Sam Smith's.
Princess Louise was Queen Victoria's fourth daughter. Last visited October 2009. |
208 High Holborn. |
| Railway Tavern | Nice traditional decor and excellent ale in this popular pub conveniently located by the main entrance to Liverpool Street Station.
Last visited April 2006. |
Liverpool Street, directly opposite the station. |
| Red Lion | A tiny achitectural gem, this one. The beautiful two-room interior has cut glass mirrors, a stained glass partition, and some dark woodwork. Five excellent real ales on pump, and the food looks good.
Last visited November 2007. |
Duke of York Street, Piccadilly |
| Salisbury | A stunning interior surrounded by cut and etched windows and mirrors on all sides. One or two small separate drinking areas remain, presumably there would have been many more of these when the pub was fitted out in about 1900. Happily, a restoration in 1999 consisted mainly of a deep clean and reupholstering the seats. A selection of real ales is available, not cheap.
Last visited October 2009. |
St Martin's Lane. |
| Southerner | This New Zealand bar serves the full range of Speights Brewery beers in one rather ordinary basement room. It didn't seem particularly New Zealand-like to me when I visited on a quiet Monday lunchtime.
Last visited June 2008. |
Essex Street / The Strand |
| Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese | Hidden down an alley off Fleet Street is this antique pub, parts of which date from 1667. A number of rooms, including a 1990s extension. Some of the panelling in the older parts might be original. Sam Smiths Old Brewery Bitter was only £1.86 when I visited. Mind your head going to the gents!
Last visited October 2008. |
Fleet Street |
| CROYDON | ||
| Old Fox and Hounds | Rather nice antique decor with wooden walls and floor. Hand pulled ales included Greene King Abbot and IPA, and Old Speckled Hen when I visited. Pool tables upstairs.
Last visited June 2002. |
1 London Road, opposite West Croydon station |
| HACKNEY | ||
| Chesham Arms | A nice traditional local serving two real ales. The Sunday lunch looks good.
Last visited June 2008. |
Isabella Road / Mehetabel Road |
| Dove | A nicely done out pub / restaurant very busy on a Saturday night. Quality real ales and a good selection of Belgian bottles.
Last visited December 2008. |
Broadway Market / Ada Street |
| The Globe in Morning Lane | One long narrow room, filled with older people enjoying the rather good jazz band when I visited on a Sunday afternoon. A couple of real ales available, I had a fine pint of Youngs.
Last visited June 2008. |
Morning Lane |
| Pembury Tavern | Hidden behind a rather unassuming exterior is this wonderful purveyor of real ale and good food. The beer festivals are well worth a visit (or two), and it's a great destination at other times as well.
Last visited May 2011. |
Amhurst Road / Dalston Lane |
| Old Ship | I'm told this used to be a rather scruffy pub, but it's now been very nicely refurbished with very up-market decor. Three real ales were on when I visited, and the food looked very good. Check out the TV in a mirror!
Last visited June 2008. |
Sylvester Path |
| HAMPSTEAD | ||
| Railway | Four real ales and an impresive array of imported draft beers including Hoegaarden Grand Cru in this pleasant traditionally decorated pub, knocked through into one large open room. The menu, rather up-market, looks good. Sit on a bed if you like!
Last visited January 2008. |
West End Lane, by West Hampstead tube. |
| HARROW | ||
| Castle | A rather impressive early 1900s interior which, I'm told, is mostly genuine and untouched. There is one bar counter in a large room which is divided by a wood and leaded glass screen, plus three more side rooms. Fine real ale, and the food looks good.
Last visited June 2008. |
West Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill |
| HEATHROW AIRPORT | ||
| O'Neills | A standard plastic Paddy airport bar. The food looks good.
Last visited December 2007. |
Terminal 3, Airside |
| Shakespear Ale House | The fake antique decor is very well done in this member of a chain of airport pubs. They serve an excellent pint of hand-pulled Bass.
Last visited December 2001. |
Terminal 3, Airside |
| HENDON | ||
| Greyhound | Real ale from Youngs in this nicely decorated multi-roomed pub. Quiet on a Monday afternoon.
Last visited June 2008. |
Church End |
| HIGHGATE | ||
| Flask | An excellent ancient-looking multi-room multi-level interior with dark wood panelling and floor boards. Plenty more space on the terrace out front. Food looks good and the ale is excellent. Very busy with diners late Sunday afternoon.
Last visited June 2008. |
West Hill |
| Gatehouse | Usual Wetherspoon's fare in this large pub with antique-style decor including booths with wood and glass partitions. How much is genuine? None, I suspect, but it looks very nice.
Last visited June 2008. |
North Road |
| KENTISH TOWN | ||
| Junction Tavern | Four real ales on tap in this splendid two sided pub with dark wood panelling and plasterwork ceiling. There's also a large conservatory and beer garden, both full of diners when I visited on a Sunday afternoon. CAMRA North London Branch's Pub Of The Year 2008.
Last visited June 2008. |
Fortress Road |
| LEYTON | ||
| Drum | An unusual Wetherspoon's in that it was converted from a traditional pub and it still looks like a traditional pub. None the worse for that, and the beer is excellent.
Last visited May 2011. |
Lea Bridge Road / High Road |
| King William IV | The brewery tap for Brodie's Beers (The brewery is next door) has umpteen of their own brews on tap as well as some guests, and all at £1.99 a pint. It has a traditional multi-room interior. The food looks good.
Last visited May 2011. |
High Road / William Street |
| NEW CROSS | ||
| Amersham Arms | A plain but nicely decorated pub with old wooden tables and floor, looking perhaps a little tatty in places. Two handpumps, I had a rather mediocre pint on my visit. Menu looks good and good value.
Last visited July 2010. |
New Cross Road / Amersham Road. Opposite New Cross station. |
| Hobgoblin | A rather scruffy pub with a large knocked through main room surrounding the counter, plus a smokers' patio. I had an excellent pint of Wychwood Hobgoblin when I visited on a very quiet Monday lunchtime. Two other real ales were also on offer.
Last visited November 2007. |
New Cross Road / St James's. Opposite New Cross Gate station. |
| ROMFORD | ||
| Golden Lion | A very nice antique-looking town centre pub very busy on a Friday evening. A good choice of real ales is on offer.
Last visited April 2006 |
High Street / South Street |
| Wetherspoon's Moon and Stars | This standard Wetherspoon's has some nice booths along one wall with leaded glass screens. There's a Lloyds No. 1 two doors down if you prefer.
Last visited May 2011 |
South Street |
| ROTHERHITHE | ||
| Mayflower | A splendid tiny pub with an historic-looking interior (Is it fake?). There's a restaurant upstairs and a terrace overlooking the Thames. I had a fine pint of Greene King Abbot.
Last visited May 2011. |
Rotherhithe Street |
| WAPPING | ||
| Prospect of Whitby | This pub claims to be oldest riverside pub in London, dating from 1520. Inside is a large stone-floored main bar with antique decor, the rear windows offering a view across the Thames of a rolling bascule bridge on the other shore. There are other rooms behind and upstairs, plus a terrace overlooking the river. Five or more real ales are available - I had a fine pint of London Pride.
Last visited November 2007. |
Wapping High Street / Garnet Street |
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