please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
On Friday night I was served a nice pint of unknown ale by a very friendly barmaid. I smoked a cigarette in the alley out back and then climbed the treacherous stairs to the tiny bog. I had great fun; I just wish that I could remember some more of the night!
One thing that I will say is that even though it looked heaving there was room at the back and although I couldn’t get to the bar I was informed of the ale selection by the barmaid and then served instantly.
Well worth going out of your way for!
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Just back from an excellent saturday afternoon session. Sitting by the open front windows meant some good repartee from other drinkers and passers by. Beer selection top class as usual with Otter, Sharp and Bateman ales to go with the standard choices; Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted coming on later meant for a prolonged stay. Service top class as ever.
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Sat inside on a busy Wednesday evening with the front of the pub opened up and folk spilling out onto the street. William IV St is pretty busy but it calmed down later and we very much enjoyed a few Harvey's Sussex at £2.90 a pint. The small bar was well covered by three professional staff and the previous guest ale labels plus a charming little upstairs which is rather like something from the Geffrye Museum.
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Good, well kept beer selection. Adnams Explorer was very nice.
Because of it's location and rather small interiour it does get rather rammed quite quickly.
mrse1 - 20 May 2008 13:54 |
Not much new to add seeing over 250 comments to date. Full of character and welcoming. Regulars are Black Sheep, Taylors Landlord and Harveys Sussex. Good enough without the guests, on this occasion, Harviestown Bitter and Twisted, Adnams Explorer and Batemans Valiant. Spotted the intimate upstairs parlour style room I've never noticed before.
Only one minor gripe, the front windows fold back to allow in air and light, and also smoke. It seems de riguer for smokers to stand outside chatting through the opening to friends inside so a lot of smoke blows back in.
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This was pub 10 of a crawl and to be honest all I can remember was the beer tasted Ok and there was a good choice.
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Today apart from the usual three there was Spitfire, Deuchars IPA and Titanic Captain Smiths which was very nice if a bit heavy for a warm afternoon.
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No I didn't have 3 pints in 2 minutes! The bloody "hand held device" I was using said it hadn't posted.
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The Thwaites Wainwright is excellent. Drinking it at this very moment :)
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The Thwaites Wainwright is excellent. Drinking it at this very moment :)
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The Thwaites Wainwright is excellent. Drinking it at this very moment :)
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This pub ticks all the boxes.
Happy girlies behind the bar; plenty quaffable ale; and Binnie (the landlady)is everybodys favourite Auntie.
If there's a better pub than this in the West End, I aint found it.
And ,thank the good Lord above, it's Chav-free.
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Another pub which I enjoy visiting very much because or the good range of beers which are available. The staff are always very friendly and helpful. They are also all very knowledgeable about the drinks which they sell.
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Good staff and atmosphere, and excellent beer. It is narrow and busy though. there will be times when you simply cannot get in.
The climb to the gents will burn hundreds of calories, and you should hope you don't meet a fat bloke on your way up, because you'll have to back down.
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Irony and sarcasm are my fortes.
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Love the review Chav_man! Who said irony was a dying art...
You've recognized that this is one of the best boozers in London and your pithy recommendation will be appreciated by Binnie and her staff, who will no doubt be preening themselves in the glow of your praise.
Your review will serve to make those who have yet to enjoy the delights of the Harp even more eager to abandon lesser venues, eschew lager-drinking übergits, and head for Chandos Place...
Cheers!
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Very average. People say that this pub has a great range of beers but there is hardly any of the major lager brands with their "super chilled" products. Very disappointing. Who drinks ales anyway - except for geriatrics pretending it is the 60's again.
And why the comments from CAMRA? This pub is not linked with photography is it?
The staff were trying hard but you could sense that even they realised they were fighting a losing battle trying to make this pub appealing.
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I mean The Best!
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Best pub in London! The manager is the gest, she gives us some free examples of different beers and stuff!
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I can't believe that I only found this pub about a year ago. Since then my wife and I(who have about eight years experience of cellar work in a GBG listed pub)have returned on every single visit to London, only to have our initial impressions reinforced. Namely friendly and efficient staff who serve a good range of beers kept in tip top condition. I cannot find a single fault, only cause for celebration - the decent London boozer is far from dead! So congrats to The Harp for its latest awards. Truly well deserved! Looking forward to Saturday and our latest visit..:))
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Excellent pub as per everyone's comments. I had a few excellent pints of Harveys.
One thing to note is that the Google Map has the location completely wrong, I think it is a problem with the postcodes. the streetmap seems correct.
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Congratulations to Binnie and her talented team! For the second time in three years, the Harp has been selected as CAMRA West London's Pub of the Year! Competition was fierce this year, with seven top-quality pubs on the shortlist. Chosen also as the No. 1 pub this year by the Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood. If this trend continues, the award certificates will soon outnumber the many portraits on the walls.
My rating for this pub? How could it possibly be anything less than 10.
Kimberly Martin
Chairman, CAMRA West London
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Paid a return visit on Saturday evening and was made very welcome. Enjoyed Titanic Stout until it was replaced by Saltaire Amarillo Gold which was even nicer! The pub wasn't too crowded and the upstairs room was a pleasant retreat from the bustle outside.
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It's all been said, but my tuppence-worth would add that my smoking pals were impressed with the (previously undiscovered) provision of ashtrays and little half-barrel beer tables in the ginnel out back. Got a table to the rear Sat nt & enjoyed some extra beers, rather greedy after a Reading crawl but the Saltaire Amarillo Gold was outstanding.
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Good pub. Popped in on the evening of Tuesday 11th March for a swift pint. First impression was the size of the place, very narrow. Not packed, but there were a good number of people in. Friendly service, and numerous real ales to choose from.
Extra points for the novelty of the sausage grill behind the bar - I've never seen that in a pub before!
When I'm next in London and feeling thirsty, I'm sure I'll be going back to The Harp!
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An excellent drinkers' pub with 6 real ales on offer, served in good condition.
Floyd - 22 Feb 2008 10:29 |
Excellent choice of beers, really well kept. My only minus would be the place is pretty narrow and cramped - I'd be happier if I could spread out a bit!
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This pub single-handedly restored by faith in London boozers the other day.
I'd just cought a pint of bitter and was heading to my seat upstairs when the landlady spotted the ale was cloudy. I hadn't even noticed myself.
She insisted I choose another ale and had it sent up to me.
Most licensees (and certainly most cack-handed bar keepers at lesser establishments than the Harp) couldn't give a toss about the quality of the product they serve, so well done to all the staff here.
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What a gem. The staff are really, really friendly, and even though it is often crowded in the evening the service is superb.Good range of real ales including many of my favourites, Harveys, Tim Taylor Landlord, always in excellent condition. SPBW London pub of the year 2008.
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I too am at a loss to understand how anyone can complain about the range of beers on offer in this pub.
Highly recommended when in the area, as is The Salisbury in St Martins Lane
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When I visited (Saturday 26th Jan) they had 6 real ales on tap - Exmoor Fox, Proper Job from St Austell, Hobgoblin from Wychwood, Sussex Best from Harveys, Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Black Sheep. They also had 3 ciders available - I went for the New Forest Snake Hatcher - 7.4% The Exmoor Fox, Black Sheep and Snake Hatcher all received a vote of confidence from our party.
Fairly busy but getting a seat for myself and 2 friends was not difficult.
There is an eclectic collection of dirty Victorian paintings on the wall.
A nice little pub if you are visiting the centre of London.
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Yes, quite right Allison. I was in Wednesday afternoon and had a pint of Davenport's Export which was excellent, and was only one of a number of decent ales on offer. I don't think you need to make excuses for your range of beers on offer - the selection remains one of the best in Central London.
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With regards to the comments from GuideDogSaint about are choice of real ales as being 'nothing unusal', we would just like to say that we are tied to Punch Taverns and and not allowed to buy are ales from anywhere else. We do however rotate our 3 guests ales constantly.
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"6 real ales tonight but nothing unusual: Landlord, Sussex, Spitfire, Black Sheep, Eden and Hobgoblin. Nice little pub but not as good for beer as I was expecting." . . . . ???
Sussex, Black Sheep and Landlord are permanently on here. The other three pumps rotate guest ales very quickly. You should have been in earlier. Moorhouses Pride of Pendle and another guest I can't remember at 5:30! The Rock "Eden" was excellent. I can't understand anyone knocking this pub for beer choice!
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6 real ales tonight but nothing unusual: Landlord, Sussex, Spitfire, Black Sheep, Eden and Hobgoblin. Nice little pub but not as good for beer as I was expecting.
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The Harp was packed last night for yet another award - the Society for the Preservation of Beer from the Wood (SPBW) awarded the Harp the honour of London Region Pub of the Year. All the beers were in tip-top condition as usual, and Binnie and Sarah led a super team of staff who made sure there were no queues at the bar despite the place being jammed.
If you appreciate cheerful friendly service, tasty O'Hagans sausages and a wide range of very well-kept cask-conditioned beer, then this bijoux pub is the one for you. Being so good, it does get busy tho'!
Cheers,
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First visit last nigh to the Harp and I was suitably impressed. Great range Harveys Sussex best, Spitfire, Black Sheep Bitter and Tim Taylors. This pub deserves it's high praise!
BenEd - 16 Jan 2008 13:45 |
It took a very long time to get my colleagues to come here but as soon as they walked in they've hardly left. Old school boozer with proper staff and good beers. Cider lovers rate the place too. Nice spot for a lunchtime pint!
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I had forgotten all about this place! Lovely little gaff with some nicely kept real ales on, a real find.
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The St Martins-in the-Fields real ale drinking bellringers ought to make this wonderful little pub their post-practice venue. Best-kept cask ale in central London. Why settle for second best?
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A nice little pub, six ales on tap, friendly staff, nice Christmas decs.
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cosy spot, we got in before it filled up too much, excellent cornish beers.
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Nice, friendly pub, good service
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Having worked in Floral Street for 10 years, and hung around Covent Garden for twice that; I can say that this is easily the nicest pub on the patch - and I'll happily walk past the Lamb & Flag to get to it. Beers are excellent, and service impeccable. The less-than-desirable types mentioned below are the scene and prop boys from the English National Opera next door. They can be a little 'geezery', but never seem to be installed for that long. Crowdedness is the only realy downside; but, to that extent, it is a function of its success.
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Was in there last night (Tuesday 20th October). Bini the friendly landlady is doing all the right things - great array of well kept ales (nicest Harveys I've had)which you can try before you buy, eccentric and eclectic art on the walls and hot sausages readily available. What more could you wish for? Congratulated her on having the best pub in London. Richard
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Cracking selection of beers including two Cornish ales and Landlord. Was packed on Friday night as upstairs wasn't open and some of the clientele left plenty to be desired, so a return visit at a less busy time will have to be on the cards.
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This excellent pub has just been voted London Pub of the Year by the Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood. Excellent beers and superb friendly and efficient service make this a worthy winner.
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Rocking Pub, can't remember much but rockin!
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We were in early Sunday lunchtime prior to our trip to Wembley Stadium for the NFL match. Was very quiet. Nice pub though. Recommended.
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Crowded, but a wonderful pub, and even more so in the middle of the West End. Very good beer - especially the Harvey's Best. Glad to hear they make the Stella taste foul: might keep away the sort of people who drink it. Another plus point!
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After going for my skinner's fix at the Cove, on to the best Pub in Covent Garden, and, as far as i'm concerned in London. Although the crowds frequenting the Harp spill out onto the pavement, you can usually go upstairs to the lounge and grab a seat even on a busy Friday night. Black Sheep Best, Taylor Landlord, and Harveys Best are the staples here, with a couple of guests and real cider. An excellent Pub.
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This pub is consistently good with fine beer. I think I have only ever had one bad pint in here over the years and that was changed by the barstaff without hesitation. Gets far too busy but that's just because it's such a great place to drink.
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Took a friend from Montana here for her first trip to an English pub, and she was very impressed. I feel sorry for all the tourists whose first (and maybe only) trip to the Great British Boozer is the likes of The Tottenham or the Leicester Square spoonies.
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What a gem! Great decor inside and out and beers and stuff. Shame its kinda small and lunch wasnt very exciting, but still one of the best pubs.
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This pub is fantastic, there are numerous different beers on offer and the barmaids are brilliant, they give you a good bit of banter if you want.
And yes, come here and drinkl ale, don't drink Stella or anything like that (or at least don't complain about it).
Go and find this place, it is a real gem.
arkid - 26 Sep 2007 13:45 |
Staggered upon this place by sheer chance.
Abso-bloody-lutely wonderful! Great selection of ales and ciders (got zonked on some stunning IPA at 5.4%)
Shall be making many return visits.
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Nicgooner (23rd Aug)- If your pint was foul the brilliant staff here would have replaced it instantly and given you a few more for nothing, probably. Was your review written from memory? I ask because all of your reviews were written on the same day. Are you sure you got the right pub? Never had a less than good pint here myself.
Cheers,
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With regard to Anonymous (13 of Aug) - each to their own, but coming here and drinking Stella is like visiting the British Library and reading The Daily Star.
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I have to post something on this pub as an antidote to all the depressing things I am now saying on many of my other favourite boozers. I over looked it for years - what a mistake. One of the best things about moving up to Trafalger Square for work. Wonderful.
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Visited yesterday and things were pretty much as usual - beer was good and there were six ales on handpump. It was relatively quiet when I was in but I could understand it getting a bit busier and thus uncomfortable. Good pub though.
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My pint was foul. Won't be visiting again.
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The service is very good; with a great range of well kept beers (6 last time i went) on.
The only downside is the place does get very busy, and is perhaps a victim of it's own success in terms of that, especially given it's a very narrow bar area; but if you go at quieter times it's a cracking pub.
mps77 - 16 Aug 2007 10:22 |
The real ale may get good write ups but I'm afraid the same can't be said for the lager. Recently ordered two pints of Stella which were promptly discarded (and the pub exited) as they tasted foul.
anonymous - 13 Aug 2007 18:50 |
Very interesting and vibrant pub. Loads of guest ales were available, gutted I could only stop here for one. It was packed when I went in but had no problems getting served by the very friendly barstaff, presumably the landlady, who made us feel welcome. Had a pint of Woods Pot O Gold which was fantastic.
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Went back on Thursday,a large wine and a pint of TT was £7,so not cheap but I like the way the front opens upto the street and the beer is kept rightplus the sausage sarnies are ok.
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delightful spot with good range of beers; lovely downstairs bar (although the one upstairs is a bit bland). try the sausage sandwiches.
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Great pub, especially for central London. Nice guest ales and a landlord and landlady of character!
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I loved this pub! Very friendly staff and comfort food. What more can you ask for?!
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I got refused service in this pub for wearing an England shirt! Granted I wouldn't be seen dead in a football shirt these days, but an England shirt! In London! In England! Never been back since.
anonymous - 28 Jun 2007 15:57 |
Good pub, there aren't many places like this around the area. The upstairs is usually pretty quite but the downstairs can get packed. A range of four or five Real Ales with Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Black Sheep Bitter as regulars. The guest beers aren't particularly adventurous at times, but at least they change regularly and are nicely kept. Recommended.
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Fantastic pub! Quality and range of beers is a rare treat for this area of the city. Can get a little crowded at times although there is usually space to enjoy your pint outside or the no-smoking room upstairs. Cheers!
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Excellent little pub. You can even get a pint of Harvey's! Being from Sussex, this is a rare sight in London!
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Small, but perfectly formed.
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A truly great pub. Really excellent Black sheep Bitter, and a barmaid that was so friendly, she smiled and said "Goodbye" when she went off duty. A great place for a drink, a gem.
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Excellent pub gets busy, but the staff still find time to smile, has around four or five real ales on draught, & usually a more unusual one. it also has real cider kept in a polypin, (small barrel) in the fridge.
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'Anonymous' has clearly never set foot in this gem. Places like the Porcupine, or the Brewmaster and the Sussex are 'bog standard west end boozers', which is why I never go in them.
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Superb pub; one of London's finest
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Nice traditional pub within spitting distance of Trafalgar Square. I'm with Tony Ale on this one, he's spot on.
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I live in Toronto and was in London last week on vacation. Before traveling to London I found this website and made a list of pubs to visit. Imagine my delight when quite by chance I stumbled across the Harp. Knowing it’s rating my friend and I stopped in for a pint. Well it’s a nice pub and all, I have nothing bad to say about it, but the top rated one?
It’s tiny so we had to stand outside and there isn’t much to see from the street. I have to admit I was a little disappointed. I’m glad we just happened to find it out of sheer luck because I was actually planning to make a special trip to find it. We visited several other pubs that I would have rated much higher.
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....But that's the point anonymous it isn't a "bog standard west end boozer" which is why it has rave reviews and is rated highly on this website.Most west end boozers are expensive,serve average quality ale and usually have several bouncers on the door!!This pub in no way falls into that category.
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I know this pub well,and it's a good pub, no doubt, but the best pub in the country? come on! it's just a bog standard west end boozer, nothing more, nothing less
anonymous - 21 May 2007 03:07 |
Very crowded after work, but well worth venturing inside to get a decent pint from their good choice or regular and guest beers.
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JohnBoner - probably was there about 9 30pm onwards
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I have worked within half a mile of this pub for over twenty years but have never been in until last week - driven by the consistently good reviews on this site. I'm jolly pleased I did! The quality of the cask ales was excellent - as many others on here have described. But the pub is slightly a victim of its own success being uncomfortably busy until the quick-pint commuters started to leave at about seven o' clock. The service was fine in the circumstances and the staff (all female that night incidentally) were pleasant enough.
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I have been here many times, and have to say it is one of the best pubs in Central London. Whilst it is small and gets smokey in the winter (bring on that smoking ban in July!), the place has character, friendly staff, and awesome beers (i.e. a proper pub). You can really tell a place that cleans its beer pipes, and this is definitely one. The Ales are amazing, and they serve the best pint of Guinness you will find in London. Great to just stand outside the open windows on a warm spring/summers day and watch the world go by. I havent tried the sausages, but apparently they are to die for!
anonymous - 1 May 2007 15:29 |
I was in yesterday evening - about 7 o'clock - service was fine and the Harveys was excellent.
When did you visit,Mr Chav Man ?
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I am not sure what the fuss is about. Checked this out and thought is was absolutely crap. Where's the duke box? But my main concern is with the extremely poor service. The attitude of some of the staff there is if you are asking them for a pint of their blood instead of their finest flat and warm lager!!
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Not bad but overrated
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Went to this pub for the first time on the 28th of april for my 21st. It's an absolutely brilliant place, a real pub in the heart oo London which is really rare. Had 6 ales, tried the black sheep, and titanic, both lovely. Friendly staff, very chatty locals. Just a really nice place to relax in this hectic part of london.
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Excellent pub - certainly when I'm in the area it's here (when I've just been paid) or the Chandos (when I need to drown my sorrows...)
Just one thing - I just wish it was a little bigger as it's understandably very popular and populated by some good drinkers who know a decent pub when they see one. I WANT A SEAT TOO!!!!!!
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It's all been said below. Probably one of the best pubs in London.
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Had an excellent pint of Thwaites Thoroughbread here earlier this week. I suppose at £2.90 it was the going rate for the area. This is a smallish pub with seating consisting mainly of stools round the bar and shelves. As it was a warm day the entire front of the window area was open, giving the place a welcoming feel. This is something that you don't see too often(the Lamb and Flag is one other that has the facility) and is in contrast to most pubs which turn their back on, or provide an escape from, the outside world.
Anyway, lots of original paintings and the like adorning the walls add to the atmosphere. I remember this place from when it was the Welsh Harp and it does not appear to have changed much. It's a decent, welcoming pub with good beer and definitely worth a visit.
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Following on from my previous positing, I went on a Saturday afternoon and my previous thought proved right. It was busy – but not uncomfortably so – and there was plenty of room. The ales – Caledonian XPA, Black Sheep, Titanic and Jousters were on top form and well poured and well-priced.
Excellent.
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wild boar flavoured sausages. I felt looked after in here and being in trafalgar square you meet all sorts.
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This was the first pub I had an ale in upon my arrival in London. I don't know if it was because it was my first or not but the Black Sheep was one of the best ales I've had in London. Top form. As mentioned it was a CAMRA award pub in 2006. The cellar woman was rightfully proud of this award. The Landlord from Timmy Taylor was also excellent. Good range of ales that constantly changes due to excellent turnover. Good sausages as well. Highly recommended.
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Excellent little pub good choice of ale's friendly staff had no problem finding a seat considering it was 7.30 on a Sat evening this pub is Camra West London's pub of the year 2006.
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This Wednesday evening, March 4th, will be neither lifeless nor drab, with some decent philosophical discussion kicking off at 8.00 - lubricated by some of the best kept beer in Covent Garden, if not London, served by the best team in the Universe!
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Good pub, very friendly management and staff, crowded. Ideal place for early afternoon drink before the crush starts.
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Always one of the first pubs I mention when someone asks me for a recommendation in the West End, the Harp provided the perfect setting last night for West London CAMRA's annual GBG selection bun fight. Binnie knows my fondness for Scottish bears - was the gorgeous Caledonian XPA a coincidence? A pint of 'Snakebite' real cider after moderating a lively discussion of 60 potential entries was also very welcome!
PS - if anyone from the brewery is reading this, can you please replace the sixth hand pump? We'd like our Black Sheep back!
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Popped in again on Friday, again a decent selection of beer but still not too sure about the overall quality - The Exmoor Hound Dog was good but the Mordue Radgee Gadgee was distinctly average. I'll just have to keep putting my head round the door for quality control purposes...
As mentioned in other posts, upstairs in very drab, more life in Roy Castle. Stick to the downstairs area.
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Certainly to be avoided on a Friday lunchtime if you can, but this is a very fine place. Excellent, friendly service, good ale, legendary sausages.
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Excellent boozer but very busy on a Friday.
Recommend anyone to go and try their Harvey's Best, absolutely stunning beer.
Had a quick look upstairs, seems quite drab and lifeless, better to be downstairs fighting for a table...great pub & great staff.
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Can get very busy as narrow bar but never had a problem being served by the friendly bsr staff, usually at least four interesting real ales on including Landlord, plus they have real cider from the cask in the fridge.
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nice and friendly place,bar maid with the bluest eyes was very accommodating A good pint, a little squashed at the best of times but surely thats a good sign?toilets up dodgey stairs but cant do much about that.
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This is a lovely pub - an oasis of niceness in the middle of West End chains and cavernous bars which feel the need to advertise their "Traditional English"ness. Worth watching out for the traffic in and out of the back door - musicians from the Opera House next door come in for a swift half in the interval.
One thing though. Whatever you do don't sit at the bar, especially not near the front door - glasses are piled precariously high on shelves at head-height, and I've seen them come crashing down more than once, covering some poor punter in borken glass.
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lovely old fashioned pub with a nice selection of guest beers, including Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Harveys. A must place to visit at lunchtime to sample the delicious sausage menu, yumm!
Can get busy but that's the reason to visit, it's not popular by accident.
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I must be in a minority of one, as while I liked the atmosphere, the beer was pretty diabolical. Meeting up with a few friends in London after travelling I was looking forward to my first pint of real beer for months, only to be bitterly disappointed. Barely drinkable. Had to wait until I got to Newcastle for a decent pint.
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Continues to be a great pub.
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This really is a very fine pub. We had just sat at the window and were starting to wonder if our pints of Harvey's were going to clear when the barmaid whizzed over, declared them unfit for purpose and replaced them with repeated (and unnecessary) apologies and some excellent Wye Valley ale. Top class service and very friendly. We had to resist the O'Hagan's sausages, which was a pity, but we'll be back. The Harp joins the Salisbury on our must visit list when in WC2.
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The Harvey's Best was on stunning form on Saturday. It's still a great boozer but it does amaze me that people go to it to drink generic fizzylagerpop... too often too busy, which is a shame.
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May nothing about this wonderful pub ever change (apart from its constantly updated range of guest ales of course). Great to have a pub like this in the centre of London that hasn't succumbed to offering food, fruit machines and homogenised beers in bland surroundings. Terrific place - don't hesitate to visit if yr in the area.
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I don't see what all the fuss is about, myself. Their selection of Bacardi Breezers was pretty awful and it was all a bit old. There's an O'Niells and an All Bar One just down the road in Covent Garden if you want a proper night out.
anonymous - 19 Jan 2007 14:38 |
Great little pub, only real problem is that it gets too busy at certain times.
Beer is always good - only remember having one bad pint in here over the last few years which I took back to the bar and they happily exchanged (I even got an apology). The bar staff are trained properly as they are always friendly, quick, efficient and know how to pour a pint.
Watch out for the steep stairs up to the gents though. Can be a tad smokey.
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Enjoyed this place on Sunday afternoon. Good selection of ales available, although nothing really noteworthy on the day I went. Lovely decor and an excellent barmaid who kept friendly banter with all of the customers. In a small pub on a quiet afternoon, you need to have great staff to make the difference and this place certainly did that. It's great to see a place with a functional no smoking room too (it's on the 2nd floor), unlike The Salisbury's, which is as effective as a no p*ssing section in a pool. Didn't actually use it though, as the atmosphere downstairs was so enjoyable, and it wasn't terribly smoky due to the number of customers. Could see it coming in handy on a weeknight though.
One thing bemused me about the visit though....why are there three coat hooks in the single gent's stall? Does it tend to attract heavily layered customers, or is there something else going on I'd rather not know about? :O)
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The previous reviews are spot on. This is a great pub with excellent staff and a supbern range of beers including Cider. Love the place.
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What an oasis in a desert of rather tired, unwelcoming chain pubs! Definitely a place for the real drinker with a range of well kept ales (Black Sheep was on top form). Pleasant surroundings, friendliness from behind the bar. Well worth seeking out.
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An excellent little pub - not only for the selection of well-kept real ales but also the tempting sausages that are served over the bar! Good for people watching when the windows at the front are open too.
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This pub can get very crowded but the service is second to none - friendy and efficient. Always nice to go to a pub where the people serving seem to genuinely care about what they're doing. Beer range pretty good too: Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted was on top form last night. By far the best bet in the area.
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A fine, friendly, small traditional pub handy for Charing Cross Station. Excellent pint of Landlord. Also Black Sheep on. By far the best pub in the area. Smoking allowed (yes!) but for the weaker bretheren non smoking room upstairs.
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Superb pub, very well kept ales and friendly, attentive bar staff. The best by a long, long way if you are in the area...
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Splendid pint of Timmy Taylors Landlord last Saturday morning.
I like this pub more and more every time I visit, which unfortunately isn't often enough. Always nice to get served by somebody behind the bar you recognise from your last visit, even if you're not a regular
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Visited on Sunday afternoon, the first time I've ever been when it wasn't heaving. Lovely pint of a dark ale called Barnstormer from a selection of good, though perhaps rather samey, beers. This is a first class pub, especially considering the location.
anonymous - 11 Dec 2006 12:37 |
Very handy venue for aprez bell-ringing practice at St Martin's in the Fields.
The beer is worth sallying forth for, and the bar staff are good fun and have a glint in their eyes.
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A small pleasant pub, friendly service and well kept real ales including Harveys.Will be back when next in area.
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Great pub, best in the area ! Excellent selection of Ales, decent bar staff too.. keep on returning.
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Great little pub in Central London that isn't a Sam Smith's. Pricey but well worth it for the fantastic selection of real ales.
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Very good. I had heard good things about this place and it definitely bucks the trend of appalling pubs in London's West End. A small but very homely pub with a local's atmosphere and a range of four or five real ales. When I was there both Harvey's and Timothy Taylor were in excellent condition. I'd definitely pick this as venue next time I'm in the area.
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Nice but small pub with a good selection of Real Ales. I tried the homewrecker ale which was very tasty. If the downstairs is packed, there is an upstairs room with a few tables.
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Very small and busy pub close to Trafalgar Square. Great selection of ales, and the pint I had was good. Two friendly ladies behind the bar - this is a good little pub that I will go to again.
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It's Binnie's and Sarah's commitment to Real Ale that counts. They know how to look after it, serve it, and please customers. It is definitely one of the top ten pubs in central London, but this view might alter depending on when you visit: get the place to yourself and enjoy; hit the rush hour and you might be less impressed...
A great venue nevertheless!
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This is a good pub by london standards because of its choice of beers for one,but it aint that good!Its definetly worth a visit but you would be disapointed if you thought it was going to be a top of the chart pub.Got to go now as my taxi for the pub has just arrived.
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I went to the Harp for the first time last night and had a great night. Fantastic beer, brilliant sausages, great atmosphere. I will definitely go back (and will take my veggie boyfriend even though he won't be able to enjoy the sausages!).
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I agree with Aleking completely.
anonymous - 24 Oct 2006 22:26 |
I agree with Aleking to an extent... however...a place needs to be sufficiently busy to justify turning over such a wide range of ales!!! Without the people coming through the door and ploughing through the ale this would be your bog standard pub struggling to sell a firkin of London Pride!!! Admittedly it is tight on a busy night but without us ale drinkers cramming the place it would be another bog standard tourist hole selling Fosters as its "premium offering"!
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AleKing is spot on.
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A very impressive range of ales; Black Sheep; Dick Turpin and, especially, IPA, were great and well-poured by nice staff. Didn’t sample Harvey’s, Bateman’s XXXX or Timothy Taylor as I’ve had them all quite recently.
While it is a great pub for ale (rightly regarded as one of the best in the area), I have to say I feel it is a tad over-rated – the seventh best pub in the land? There are a few quibbles that, at least from my perspective, knock a couple of points off.
Drawbacks are the slender layout, which although not on the minute scale of The Jerusalem Tavern, certainly creates “hustle and bustle”. Some people may feel is part of its charm, but – and maybe I am just getting too old – it inevitably ends up too crammed and cramped. Obviously it is incredibly popular (deservedly so) but each time I have been in there, I have felt like a sardine, floating in a sea of suits, students and everyone else – not my preferred means of sampling some quality beer. Although the staff managed the bar faultlessly, it was a bit of a battle actually getting to the bar (stuck behind plebs ordering lagers) and then a challenge to get the beer back without spilling it amongst the flailing elbows, jostles and obstacles, only to stand amongst these flailing elbows, jostles and obstacles and try to drink the pint.
I also thought the décor was a bit tacky, I'm also not a fan of high chairs, and the undersized toilet halfway up the stairs was a bit of a pain; even if some people would see that as “quaint”.
In conclusion, I would easily recommend The Harp, but probably try to go there at times when it is a bit less hectic to avoid the crush.
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My favourite boozer in London, a wonderful spot to stop off and have a drink or three before catching the train home from Charing Cross. It may sound like an Irish pub but it consistently has on at least three or four excellent English bitters, some of which are a pleasant surprise, including - if memory serves - London Pride (expected), Timothy Taylor's Landlord, Black Sheep and Harveys Best (the finest beer known to humanity, and proving that it can travel beyond Sussex!). Unlike the so-called beer festivals which run sporadically and briefly in over London pubs the beer at Harp is nearly always excellent because they always have it.
The building itself has a rather long and narrow layout, with considerably more width at the rear. The back door is also a useful escape route if things get too busy at the front during the rush hour. It really is a great place to sit (or prop) and watch city life go by in the summer when the large windows towards the front of the bar are unlatched and bolted down. The Harp is also not a bad place to watch the rugby on the small TV high in the corner wall as I did during the Six Nations; the compact nature of the interior gave it a close but friendly atmosphere.
Another thing in the Harps favour is the decor, with its dozens of paintings, is strangely different but nonetheless pleasing. Also the cooked sausages make it a good place to take a hurried snack (although the lack of plates can make actual consumption rather tricky!). I believe as well that a small upstairs room has been opened, although I only caught a quick glimpse, but I think I'll be staying downstairs on my next visit.
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If your a visitor to London and want a really good drink with a wide selection of various national brews; look no further. It get's very croded, but it's a long narrow pub, so push on to the back. Wonderful place.
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Every time I go to this pub I have a good time. Nice little buzz, good beer (6 ales)and very nice service. It's all good as far as i'm concerned.
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OH FOOLISH FELLOW THAT I AM. I PASSED ON BY THIS PUB FOR YEARS, THINKING IT WAS JUST A CUPBOARD. IT WAS CALLED THE WELSH HARP THEN. THE NAME ALWAYS PUT ME OFF. HOWEVER HAVING DROPPED THE WELSH(THAT WHY GOD CREATED THE IRISH SEA OF COURSE: SPLASH) I DECIDED TO VENTURE WITHIN. WHAT A PLACE! IT'S BLOODY MARVELLOUS. WONDERFUL BEERS. WONDERFUL SAUSAGES. GREAT STAFF; HELLO GIRLS. WHERE'S HILARY? IF YOUR EVER STUCK AT CHARING CROSS FOR A TRAIN HEAD ON TO THE HARP; IT' FOR DRINKING ANGELS!
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The drinking man's Coal Hole.
anonymous - 9 Oct 2006 12:30 |
I first put a review of this pub saying what a gem it is back on 13th July 2005 and now I'm almost beginning to wish I'd kept it to myself ... haven't been for a while now but am glad SOME things don't change and that it's still tip-top. Look forward to my next visit, hopefully SOON! Janet
anonymous - 9 Oct 2006 12:24 |
A dying breed in London, especially central London; a classic house that combines a decent variety of ales with simple, home-made grub, and surprise of surprises, genuine character. Granted, it's on the small side but surely still infinitely preferable to these soulless corporate barrack-rooms now so commonplace in the capital and elsewhere. Moreover, it stands out for being friendly, and the buzzy atmos from the mixed clientele can pervade the street when the large window is opened up. Unlike lots of London pubs the Harp doesn't need to reply on dozens of colourful hanging baskets outside to draw the punters. Keep up the good work!
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The
Harp, a true West End gem
Enables us all to
Have
A
Really good, well-kept
Pint or three
Before heading
In homeward directions,
Not wanting
Nor needing to leave.
It's the best example of an
English pub (in the Irish mode)
We have.
All I ask is Punch
Leave it alone
So we can continue to
Have good times here...
Cheers!
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The thinking man's Coal Hole.
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A nice little boozer with well kept ales. Not sure what it will be like in the winter, (purely because of its size) as I have only stood outside. Very nice though.
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Good Pub,especially in the daytime ,when the front is open ,friendly clientele,good selection of real ales sausages are good too an oasis .
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Altho' I got there late evening after the fun, Sept 19th, there was still a good and convivial atmosphere in the bar and upstairs in the no smoking room. The Black Sheep bitter had peaked, but the Harveys Best Bitter was excellent.
A much deserved award for Sarah, Binnie and the whole working team!
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CAMRA West London Branch present Pub of the Year to The Harp on Tuesday, 19 September 2006. The certificate will be awarded at 20.00 but I plan to get there no later than 19.00.
In addition to their usual range of TT Landlord, Black Sheep Ale and Harveys Sussex Best, beers on sale will include Harviestoun Schiehallion, Hop Back Summer Lightening and a guest beer. The fact
that these are all top favourites of mine is purely coincidence, although I may have hinted to Binnie that I adore Schiehallion.
Real cider and perry will also be available.
Please join us in congratulating Binnie, the landlady, and Sarah, the cellarkeeper, for running what we think is the best of more than 800
pubs in West London this year!
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This place is stunning an excellent venue to take people to.
I liked the sausages a lot and will definitely come back for more!
anonymous - 13 Sep 2006 16:49 |
This would be a pub to prize anywhere, but to find such a gem in central London is quite astonishing. The beers (a great variety of which are on offer) are always in fine condition, the sausages are delicious, and the staff maintain a cheerful and friendly attitude despite having to work so hard to cope with the crowds of appreciative punters. Definitely the best pub in London.
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The front of this place is stunning, especially when they pull the front window right back.
Six ales of interest on last weekend, tried Lees Ruddy (OK - for a Lees!) and the Kerfuffle which unfortunately was warm and quite past its best, so the quality control is a bit wobbly at times it seems. Hopefully it was a one-off?
A trip to the toilets after a few is an experience, due to the narrow winding staircase and lack of turning circle when you get to the door.
Well worth a trip for the heritage factor alone.
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A splendid example of a traditional pub in a central London location. The beer is exceptional (I particularly recommend the Harveys). Both the staff and clientele are delightful. I must also thoroughly recommend that you enjoy one of the fabulous O'Hagans sausages with your pint. The Harp is a real treat for the genuine pub enthusiast.
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Why, oh why, have I been walking past this place on my trips to Theatreland and the National Gallery and drinking in the Chandos or the Marquis of Granby. Has to be the best pub in central London. If you go midweek towards the end of the evening it is a lot less crowded. The staff know their real ale and serve a great pint, great clientele make for fun people watching.
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Excellent in every way. Went after seeing reviews here and vas completely impressed. Beer was kept as well as any I have had and the staff are more friendly than any I have met in London before. will be going back soon to try the famous sausages!
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A very friendly, small but perfectly formed pub. Very handy for a post National Gallery drink. Add in the fine beer and it is comfortably one of the best pubs in the area. However to have it as one of the best in the land, is overrating it.
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For a regularly-changing carefully-chosen selection of well-kept real ale, the Harp is probably the best pub in central London. O'Hagans sausages (pork & leek, lamb& mint, etc) are wonderful! Binnie Walsh knows how to run a proper pub, and her well-trained staff deliver a very high standard of customer care. The Harp's popularity means it can be crowded at times, so choose your times wisely and enjoy a tip-top drink a stone's throw from Trafalgar Square.
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What a big surprise; a terrific pub in theatreland that not only has a changing range of real ale, but a warm and friendly atmosphere to enjoy them in. I feel mortified that I bypassed this little pub for the Marquis of Granby for so many years or settled for hot, ugly, crowded places like the Chandos round the corner.
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AN EXCELLENT PERRY ON, AS OF 17/08/06, TROGGI.
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What a great little pub. Friendly service and good quality beer. Busy but not too busy on Saturday late afternoon and found a seat easily, I honestly could have sat here for hours drinking T.T Landlord and eating those tasty sausages if it wasn't for the fact that I had other venues to visit. Will definitely return.
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Excellent beer, gorgeous barmaid, very friendly and efficient landlady. One of the few pubs in London where you get a decent head on your pint and that's relaxed about last orders. Amazing that it's in the centre of London.
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I have been frequenting this pub for many years and i find it to be the best pub in the area. Amongst all the lifeless wine bars in the area this place is a gem.
The choice of real ales is always surprising and regularly features Harveys Sussex Best and Timothy Taylors Landlord. They also are excellently conditioned and best complimented with an O'Hagans Sausage. The staff are always friendly and willing to help and the landlady is always at hand, which is a rareity in most chain pubs which lack that homely atmosphere these days.
A top class, local pub in the heart of London.
anonymous - 4 Aug 2006 10:46 |
I always find it disappointing when having to report what was an otherwise lovely pub on previous visits, being let down on my attempted visit today : Sunday 30th July at about 12.50pm.
Basically, I only discovered this pub through the positive remarks through this website and went for the first time about 2 weeks ago. I have recommended the pub to mates aswell. The beers were great (Harveys), and I had a good talk to the wonderful landlady who excels in customer service and providing beer in tip-top condition.
Anyway, went in at a quiet time, waited for the bar-girl to finish serving the guy ahead of me, then expected to be served my pint ! Instead, all i got was the girl nodding in the direction of her drink and she continued talking to someone else, totally ignoring me. I dont normally like to complain, and rarely have bad service because I generally visit decent pubs that serve fine ales away from places where you kind of expect 3rd rate bar staff: hence the joy of finding the Harp !. Needless to say, I walked out to find somewhere else this fine afternoon, perhaps annoyed at myself for not having a go at her, as she was in the wrong. I couldnt be bothered to have a scene.
Anyway, like i said,i have been to the Harp several times over the last few weeks and intend to make it a little after work stop over etc. I was there the previous friday eve for instance and all the girls serving then were nothing short of excellent. I know today might just be a one off, and the landlady was no where to be seen (ironically, i saw her enter the pub about 1 minute after I left), she takes pride in her venue and I know she reads the stuff on here. The girl who lacked in customer facing skills was about mid 20`s, brunette, definitely foreign probably eastern european. I dont want this to put me off a future visit, because like i said, this is a fab place and i havent had a problem with staff here: Unfortunately the landlady doesnt have eyes in the back of her head and cannot account for the behaviour of her staff in her absence. Therefore i will remain anon on this, despite giving a glowing review recently on bite. I just cannot tolerate bad or rude service especially when I didnt say anything to justify such stand-offish behaviour and just wanted a quite sunday afternoon drink !
anonymous - 30 Jul 2006 13:43 |
Great place - staggered to find a pub like this so close to Trafalgar Square. I like it more and more each time I come here, which unfortunately isn't as often as I would like.
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First visit recently, was very impressed. If like me, you prefer a quality ale selection (esp an immaculate Harveys), decent food, polite and friendly service, interesting decorations and summer views outside a flower drenched frontage, this place could be the place for you. Will visit again for an hour or two and watch the world go by.
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One of the best pubs in the area with an ever changing selection of guest beers. Get there early at lunchtime for the full selection of sausage sandwiches. Down-to-earth landlady is always good fun and sometimes there's a barmaid to drool over.
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I used to work in the Charing X area and the Harp was the best pub in the surrounding area to have a lunchtime drink in the summer sun. Superb. Fair enough, you are spilling out onto the pavement, but with beer gardens few and far between in the Charing X Leicester Square & Covent Garden areas, I would certainly come here for a couple at lunch and watch the cosmopolitan female talent (and tourists) stroll by!
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Excellent place. Good boozes. Busy and the staff were still really friendly and made an effort to help out or speak to you. Still haven't got round to eating the sausages!!! A favourite, this one.
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The best pub in Covent Garden. Has character, extremely friendly staff (a very rare thing in London) and unusual cask ales for London (Elgoods, Lancaster bomber, Archers - need I say more?)
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Very Nice pub. The upstairs part is very bizarre though I think!
anonymous - 1 Jun 2006 01:59 |
She certainly does read the comments and they are all, of course, well earned. Would definitely visit more often if I lived nearer.
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The landlady of this pub happened to mention to me she reads the reviews of her pub on this website regularly. So be nice!
My pint of Harveys on my last visit was excellent. The place does tend to get packed but that is hardly surprising.
The upstairs room - which is presumably intended as an overspill - is odd.
anonymous - 30 May 2006 19:13 |
Just been for a visit this evening after a gap of several months. I can honestly say that the Harvey's I've just supped was the best pint I've ever had in London.
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Landlord, Black Sheep, Thoroughbred, Greyhound & Harvey's Best on offer in a crowded typical central London long and narrow single room pub. Genuine woody and wholesome atmosphere with a well heeled and relaxed clientelle. A conversation pub. Has a definate appeal. Upstairs room is quiet and smoke-free, but lacks the character of the main room.
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Continues to be the only real local in the area, and consistently Binnie and her staff are friendly, welcoming, and serve a good range of well-kept cask conditioned beers, including my favourite Harveys Best.
It well deserves the CAMRA listing - and its popularity with CAMRA West London.
It's not overun by bearded real ale enthusiasts though - a plentiful and varied crowd is to be found. And a recent feature is a comfortable upstairs no smoking lounge.
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Have been using this pub now for over two years, though not as much as I would like to. Always had a great welcome here. Good selection of well kept ales, and an above average selection of spirits. A good selection of hot sausages served, but get in early....they usually disappear very quickly. Varied clientelle, and always a good atmosphere
MX321 - 29 Apr 2006 12:33 |
Another satisfying visit to the harp. friendly barmaid. next time i'll have a sausage
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Afternoon visit was fantastic. 5 less usual real ales, a wonderful hostess, and cozy atmosphere. 8/10.
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Mmmmmm.... St Peter's Golden Ale and Jennings Sneck Lifter on today, both in excellent condition.
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Great selection of beer including Timothy Tailors Landlord, Black sheep and Harveys, 3 top beers, shame its so smokey.
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Saw the good reviews so thought it would be a good thing to pay a visit. Yet again it had to be on a Thursday evening so the place was rammed. However, we eventually got a pair of stools beisde the ledge parallel to the bar and settled down to enjoy some top beer. It really was that good, and the selection was excellent as well. The bar staff are outstanding, friendly yet efficient. Not normally keen on the West End but if you find yourself there this is about as good as it gets............
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The bar was crowded and rather smokey on Saturday evening, so I tried upstairs for the first time. What a super room - surprisingly stylish, with an interesting view down Adelaide Street - and no problems having my sausage sandwich served there. The Harvey's Bitter was excellent, building up a hoppy fragrance; two guys in the bar were also well pleased with their pints of Crop Circle.
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Great little pub.Has Harveys and Black Sheep as regular ales so you can't really go wrong.
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considering its location this place is supringsly good, excellent beers and sausages, worth dropping by anytime.
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Visited 8 March 2006. A proper pub. Great range of beers and excellent service
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Great cosy, hidey hole type pub perfect for summer or winter. In fact it's annoyingly good - I'd really like to go somewhere else for post-work pints, for a change of scene really, but nowhere cuts the mustard when compared to this place.
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Excellent ale and o'hagans bangers.great service even when heaving.
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A decent pub if you happen to be in central London. Many years ago I used to frequent it when it was called the Welsh Harp and run by a guy called Nigel whose dad I think ran before him.
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Splendid pub - a rare find for Central London. Good beer, friendly locals and attentive staff. Will visit again soon. Highly recommended
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A little gem I reckon. The beer was washin down well and it's little and I got a seat on a saturday night - cowa-bloomin-bunga!!
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A deep, narrow pub decorated in sort-of Victorian style (oil paintings on the wall and bare boards?). Two rapidly-changing
guest ales. A most welcome addition to (very) central London.
It can be astonshingly difficult to find good beer in the
Great Wen. The Porterhouse lies a short way to the east, as do a
numner of other good pubs.
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Quality. A fantastic range of real ales - the Titanic is superb. Friendly bar staff, nice and relaxed atmosphere, all in all it's one of the best.
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An amazing find in such a central location. Very busy and noisy on the ground floor but nice and quiet, with plenty of tables, and smokefree, upstairs. Classical music playing in the background; what a refreshing change! Didn't try the food but the pints of Deuchars, Black Sheep, and Landlord, were all very acceptable.
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The Harp (formerly the Welsh Harp) is a fairly small pub that can easily be overlooked due to the proximity of at least 4 other pubs / bars within 30 yards. This is probably one of the most homely and civilized pubs in the area with friendly staff and welcoming group of locals. The pub is long, narrow and full of character. Very much a traditional style pub with bare floor, large mirrors, several portraits, brass chandeliers, lamps and stained glass windows at the front (note the harp depicted in the door). Along one side is a ledge with built in tables at the rear. On top of the bar frame are several jugs and urns just asking to be shot at like a fairground stall. Entertainment is minimal with just a basic TV in the corner. There is also a no-smoking room upstairs. The real icing on the cake is the beer. 3 regular ales (Harveys, Black Sheep and Landlord) complimented by 2 ever changing guest ales (a selection of the pump clip-ons can be viewed above the bar). The sausages were very popular although I did not try one. Definitely one of the best pubs in the area for the serious drinker.
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Traditional pub. Excellent ale - especially Blacksheep. Good buzz. Good food. A Must.
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I like this one. Only been there twice, a Friday and a Saturday night. Great atmosphere, low lighting, just nice.
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Excellent. Long narrow pub just north of the Strand and Charing Cross Station. A friendly atmosphere combined with absolutely superb beer, makes this a must. Visited last night and had a pint of Black Sheep Bitter which was 100% on form.
O'Hagan's sausages are available at the bar and must be tried.
Staff very friendly and welcoming; locals and other customers warm and accommodating. Overall, this is a quality pub, serving quality beer for the quality customer. Recommended. 10/10!
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The Harp is becoming so popular that they ran out of sausages on Sunday afternoon! Fortunately there are four other pubs within easy staggering distance (also one of the few Post Offices in London which issues International Driving Permits - in case you ever need one). On a previous visit, I sampled the Timothy Taylor Landlord and found it well up to standard: soft, with hints of honey, rather than the slightly harsh flavour more often found in other London outlets. Full marks to the cellarers.
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Truly outstanding in every way. Friendly staff, great beer and a the pub itself is full of character. Given the location, it would have been easy to have slipped into complacency because the tourists would have come anyway. It's nice to think that visitors to London can find such an excellent example of a real British pub at a major tourist honeypot.
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I called in for a quick pub lunch midweek - they were serving one of the best ales in England: Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter, and probably the best sausage sandwich in London (I chose the Pork and Leek variety) with tasty fried onions, and a perfect baguette, chewy but not too crispy. Incredible value for £5.20 all in!
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Had a great pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord here last night. It is near to my work so is often frequented for a after work drink.
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