Central London pub guide - information about pubs and bars in Central London # beerintheevening.com

Central London pub and bar guide

Here's a guide to the pubs and bars of Central London - good or bad, we bring you the most talked about venues and the places you have to visit at least once. We've included a few user reviews, to give you an idea of what to expect when you get there. Or you can follow the links to see full details and all reviews for each pub.

The Bree Louise, Euston

Address: 69, Cobourg St, London, NW1 2HH [map]
Phone: 020 7681 4930
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Nearest tube stations: Euston (0.1 miles), Euston Square (0.1 miles), Warren Street (0.2 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Euston (0.2 miles), London St Pancras (0.5 miles), London Kings Cross - Thameslink (0.6 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Used this pub with half a dozen mates on the way to wembley satiurday and was very impressed the beers were good,plenty of real ales to choose from and some strong ones for sure!food wa adequate bit pricy but thats central london but cant fault the pub wont find many like this ain the general area.and some nice looking female bar staff which helps.

25 May 2009 14:38

Very good pub, run by CAMRA-enthusiasts. 11 real ales on plus 4 ciders. Yes, the beers don't match the website (or even the blackboards in the pub) but who cares, there are still enough on.

I bought a pie reduced from £7.99 to £5 and a pint from £3 to £2.50 thanks to my CAMRA-card, a very good pub in all respects.

25 May 2009 09:57

I hate myself for posting a less than glowing review when the Bree Louise does so much to promote interesting real ales. The CAMRA discount is great and it's always a pleasure to discover a new micro. HOWEVER. I've made journeys here to especially try beers listed on the (seemingly current) web site only to find a different selection of ales - maybe half advertised available. Even the blackboard in the bar was out of date and tonight I found the beers on the flat side. To top it all I was even short measured on a half pint! Maybe the landlord is on holiday this week? Please get back to previous high standards.

14 May 2009 21:16

The Harp, Covent Garden

Address: 47 Chandos Place, covent garden, London, WC2N 4HS [map]
Phone: 02078360291
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Nearest tube stations: Charing Cross (0.1 miles), Leicester Square (0.2 miles), Embankment (0.2 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Charing Cross (0.1 miles), London Waterloo (0.8 miles), London Waterloo East (0.8 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Really wanted to rate this pub badly to stop people going and filling up the seats, but couldn't bring myself to do it. The Harp is excellent.

10 May 2009 03:17

Great pub. Fantastic choice of beers and ciders (proper ones like), very friendly and attentive bar staff, good atmosphere, great location.

It is small, it is busy and it isn't especially cheap. But as a place to meet in that area of Central London for a few cheeky pints, you'd be hard pushed to beat it.

10 May 2009 01:43

Always rammed! Good beer and a good mix of people. It's a bit pokey (although there is space upstairs), but this gives it a friendly atmosphere. Staff were good. This pub is a 'must do' in this part of London.

4 May 2009 16:41

Ye Old Mitre, Holborn

Address: 1, Ely Court, Ely Place, London, EC1N 6SJ [map]
Phone: 020 7405 4751
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Nearest tube stations: Chancery Lane (0.2 miles), Farringdon (0.2 miles), Barbican (0.5 miles)

Nearest DLR station: Bank (1 mile)

Nearest train stations: Farringdon (0.2 miles), City Thameslink (0.4 miles), London Barbican (0.5 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Small ancient boozer frequented by tourists, pensioners and Hatton Garden jewellers. Worth a visit to see it the once, but I will not be rushing back. I hope that it does not change, but it is not my type of boozer being to cramped.

13 May 2009 10:06

I think you will find that Fullers will have the sense to allow a couple of guest beers - I do think however it is unlikely they would be happy for the pub to continue totally as a free house. Some compromise may be necessary!

8 May 2009 19:35

Despite having only been here very few times I can honestly say that this is one of my favourite London pubs - albeit a bit small during it's busier times and not open weekends. They serve some great real ales from all over the UK in tip-top condition. The last time I was there I had both the Caledonian Deuchars IPA and Sharp's Doom Bar, both of which were fantastic. It's a little sad to hear that they've been sold over to Fuller's, but I'd rather them than anyone else. Looking at the website for the pub just now, I don't think that we've got much to worry about on the guest ales front, so I wish them all the best.

6 May 2009 10:23

The Doric Arch, Euston

Address: 1 Eversholt Street, Euston, London, NW1 2DN [map]
Phone: 020 7388 2221
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Nearest tube stations: Euston (0.1 miles), Euston Square (0.1 miles), Warren Street (0.4 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Euston (0.2 miles), London St Pancras (0.4 miles), London Kings Cross - Thameslink (0.4 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Still going strong although not as good as it was in the 'Head of Steam' days. Still better than many of the other pubs around this area.

12 Apr 2009 15:17

Saturday 4th, a visit while waiting for the train. Dark and dingy and seems to have gone downhill a bit recently but better than some of the others nearby that are full of chrome lager pumps.
A Good selection of ales on but nothing I fancied so plumeted for a Discovery chilled, Fullers what have you done its awful. Ice cold and tasteless.
The Titanic White Star was a better choice but was still lacking any real taste.
They have changed to combination lock to the loo so you have to ask at the bar for the number.

6 Apr 2009 14:28

I made a rare visit to the Doric Arch recently and was pleasantly surprised.
The furniture changes are minor but have made a difference. It was nice to see that the selection of ketchup bottles etc. at the top of the stairs had gone.
The beer selection was much better than I have previously seen and I gather this is a policy that the management will continue. No Hophead but Kelham Island Pale Rider was a more than adequate substitute.
Due to the number of Fulllers beers it stock, it will never be able to offer the wide selection that the Bree Louise can. But it had one thing that the Bree Louise often lacks - Atmosphere.

6 Apr 2009 09:50

The Princess Louise, Holborn

Address: 208-209 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7BW [map]
Phone: 020 7405 8816
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Nearest tube stations: Holborn (0.1 miles), Covent Garden (0.3 miles), Tottenham Court Road (0.4 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Charing Cross (0.7 miles), Farringdon (0.8 miles), City Thameslink (0.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Great traditional pub with real character, though can be crowded. A good pint at under £2 in Central London just shows how much we are being ripped off by the other pub companies.

20 Mar 2009 12:46

Went there for the first time and liked it though crowded on a Friday night.
Got served easily and staff were on the lookout for people waiting, so good.

Again as already said, the mens toilets are a disgrace, it reeks of urine and they look like they came out of the ark, also no signs telling the men or woman doors apart!!

Would go back because of the overall good atmosphere though load as packed..

8 Mar 2009 22:09

Did a 'split shift' here on Wednesday last week - popped in for a couple or three at lunchtime when it was reasonably quiet, then again at teatime when it was a lot busier. I can understand to a point people's comments about it getting very busy, but I got served no problem and you've got to expect a bit of a wait at busier times. In this day and age, I'd much rather see a thriving, busy pub than a boarded-up derelict one, and in my opinion if a pub is busy then it's got to say something about the place. Yes, I am biased towards the P.L. and always have been since I started going there, but in my opinion a pub in Central London that features well-kept ale, attentive service and staff that actually take the time to talk to punters should be supported and not pilloried

3 Mar 2009 22:46

The Jerusalem Tavern, Clerkenwell

Address: 55 Britton Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 5UQ [map]
Phone: 020 7490 4281
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Nearest tube stations: Farringdon (0.1 miles), Barbican (0.3 miles), Chancery Lane (0.4 miles)

Nearest DLR station: Bank (0.9 miles)

Nearest train stations: Farringdon (0.1 miles), London Barbican (0.3 miles), City Thameslink (0.6 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Oh... and I know this is a recreation opened in 1996. I was told (red faced) on the evening. But it's still straight out a film set.

25 Mar 2009 20:56

I adored this pub. Visited for the first time on 20/03/2009. We were on a private history tour (three of us) of The City and was particularly looking for historical pubs and this was the best of the lot.

The atmosphere here was exactly what I was looking for. Loved the tiny gallery table spot and the frontage was straight out of an 18th Century history book.

We got there relatively late and that was great. Got a table right in the window and was dizzy with thoughts of the people who may have sat in our place over the last 2 centuries.

The St Peter's Honey Porter was delicious.

Will definitely pay this tavern a visit whenever we're back in The City.

25 Mar 2009 20:48

Brilliant little pub and fantastic range of beer. Favourite was the cream stout, but all worth a try. The pub is a little pokey and suffers when the city boys invade. After 4pm prepare to be barged around by yobs in suits.

23 Mar 2009 14:56

The Salisbury, Leicester Square

Address: 90, St. Martins Lane, Leicester Square, London, WC2N 4AP [map]
Phone: 020 7836 5863
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Nearest tube stations: Leicester Square (0.1 miles), Covent Garden (0.2 miles), Charing Cross (0.2 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Charing Cross (0.2 miles), London Waterloo (0.9 miles), London Waterloo East (0.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Lovely proper Pub. Bit difficult to find a seat early on but clears out later, worth hanging on. Had some good bar food in here and the efficient and friendly staff even gave us a spare dish nobody had claimed (we do a good impression of hungry). Good choice of ales, including two of my favourites, Deuchars IPA and Landlord.

20 Mar 2009 21:55

Had a lovely pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord in here yesterday. Servce was prompt and very friendly, in fact almost spot on. £3.05 a pint was a bit excessive but I suppose it is to be expected given the location. Good friendly pub and I will most certainly be back. Well done all!!

17 Mar 2009 11:22

A well preserved interior, a nice old horseshoe bar splits the main area effectively into two spaces. Lots of etched glass in the front windows, interior screens and mirrors. Carpetted with a mixture of seating. There is another small room to the rear of the left side. Stairs lead up somewhere but this was roped off. The walls of the stair down to the toilets are covered in theatre flyers, reflecting the location. A sign in the window states "Sport Free Pub, no TV".
Very busy but well staffed and no issues with the service apart from needing to prompt for a top up.
6 pumps in two banks of 3, each side, serving at the time Bombardier, Youngs Bitter, Deuchers IPA, TT Landlord, Doom Bar and Brain's St Davids Ale, curiously priced at £3.09.

1 Mar 2009 08:50

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street

Address: Wine Office Court, 145 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2BU [map]
Phone: 020 7353 6170
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Nearest tube stations: Blackfriars (0.3 miles), Chancery Lane (0.4 miles), Temple (0.4 miles)

Nearest DLR station: Bank (0.9 miles)

Nearest train stations: City Thameslink (0.2 miles), Blackfriars (0.3 miles), Farringdon (0.4 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Tourist trap? 95% of West End pubs must have tourists in them at any given time. Are they all "traps" too?

The Cheshire Cheese gets its fair share of visitors (and why not? we're all tourists somewhere) - Disneyland it definately ain't.

24 May 2009 12:57

A pub that, if anything, overplays its history (the Dr Johnson connection is tenuous at best) - but hey, the current building dates back to 1667 so there's plenty of history to play with! Be warned that this is no bright, modern or open-plan pub – the dark wooden interior is a maze of narrow corridors and staircases, leading to numerous bars and dining rooms. Fairly cold inside, so nice to visit in the summer. Sam Smith's beer is the order of the day here, meaning that by Central London standards this is home to that rare creature, a reasonably priced pint.

19 May 2009 19:10

Still an over rated tourist trap, playing on the Doctor Johnson connection. There's no written or published proof that he ever used the place;it's all built on one comment by a 19th centuryjournalist drinking here; pure rubbish. Howeverthat aside,I had a very pleasant couple old old Ales served by the charming Aussie in the front bar this afternoon. Informed,cheerful and on the ball beer wise. The place was empty, except for 3 Bankers in the corner on fruit juice. This was such a great bar to sit and smoke in once;nowkilled off or left to die by this governments antismoking polcy. How many more pubs will go as a result?

30 Apr 2009 08:32

The Speaker, Westminster

Address: 46 Great Peter St, London, SW1P 2HA [map]
Phone: 020 7222 1749
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Nearest tube stations: St James's Park (0.2 miles), Westminster (0.4 miles), Victoria (0.6 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Victoria (0.6 miles), London Charing Cross (0.9 miles), Vauxhall (0.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

This is a nice enough boozer with an experienced governor and barman. Spitfire, Ordinary, Blessed Thistle and Helmsman were all available alongside Standard lagers, Guinness and Stowford Press Cider.

The food selection is very basic with sandwiches, ploughmans and baked potatoes making it a great pub with no sign of any jus drizzled anywhere. I had a packet of jalapeno pepper crisps which were fantastic, especially as they are from the Real Crisps Company and the last time I had some in another pub I was charged £2, but in here a mere 60p.

The pub is not very big and was barely comfortable on my visit, but that is the price that must be paid when finding a good pub and I would make an effort to revisit at a quieter time.

25 Mar 2009 11:26

Not a regular haunt of mine, but one where I've always found well-kept real ales and polite service. My latest visit last Friday was no exception. Definitely one of the better pubs in the Westminster area

9 Mar 2009 12:07

I echo the opinions of a few previous reviewers, this is a welcoming and relaxing spot to spend an hour or so, a pleasant street corner single room pub, lots of wood panelling, caricatures of politicians in keeping with the location. A couple of more unusual display cases, one of a range of corkscrews and another more strangely of quarrying explosives! Perhaps this is a Guy Fawkes link....Large windows all round give a clear view of life passing by outside. Youngs Bitter, Spitfire, Marlow Rebellion Mutiny and Tring Jack o Legs on yesterday.

14 Feb 2009 07:44

The Edgar Wallace, Temple

Address: 40, Essex St, London, WC2R 3JF [map]
Phone: 020 7353 3120
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Nearest tube stations: Temple (0.1 miles), Chancery Lane (0.4 miles), Blackfriars (0.5 miles)

Nearest train stations: City Thameslink (0.4 miles), Blackfriars (0.5 miles), London Waterloo East (0.6 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Hadn't been here for a couple of months until my latest visit last week - and I was pleased to find that nothing had changed. An excellent selection of well-kept ales served by friendly staff. If you're a real ale fan then it's definitely worth going out of your way to pay a visit here

3 Mar 2009 22:29

A nifty ale pub, tucked away just off the Strand.

There's two floors; comfortable drinking on the bottom floor whilst the upper area is set for diners. As the pub floorspace is limited I found myself upstairs, which was lacking a bit in atmosphere.

As noted elsewhere, there's a really good selection of unusual ales (8 if I recall) which were served well. The prices weren't too bad for the area.

There's a lot of old rugby memorabilia dotted around the walls and the place is clean and tidy.

Recommended for a good session but I'd like to see a bit more life about the place...perhaps I caught it on a quiet afternoon.

18 Feb 2009 19:11

What a find, 8 real ales on, all (that I tasted) in good condition, friendly staff good basic food and a relaxed atmosphere. A must to visit.

10 Feb 2009 17:16

The Enterprise, Holborn

Address: 38 Red Lion Street, London, WC1R 4PN [map]
Phone: 020 74048461
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Nearest tube stations: Holborn (0.2 miles), Chancery Lane (0.3 miles), Russell Square (0.4 miles)

Nearest train stations: Farringdon (0.6 miles), City Thameslink (0.8 miles), London Kings Cross - Thameslink (0.8 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Staff need to learn how to smile and be pleasant..... Otherwise just going to turn away customers

15 May 2009 09:25

Went there purely on the rating from this site. Closed to the public on a Saturday night? Shouldn't have deviated from The Harp...

10 May 2009 03:09

I have been here a few times and most visits dissapointed.

First time was on a weekday evening and found it understaffed for demand and the music too loud to hear myself, Tables and chairs all over the place and hardly a dry spot on the bar....

The second time i went was with my girlfriend for lunch, one girl and manager on duty, the girl was rude, did not seem that she wanted to even be there, no eye contact and messed our food order up - supprising as it was 2 sandwiches - instead of the fish finger and club, we recieved a ploughmans and a cremated fish finger sandwich. Wont be returning unless staff pick up their ideas......

6 May 2009 16:22

The Lord Moon Of The Mall, Whitehall

Address: 16-18, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DY [map]
Phone: 020 7839 7701
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Nearest tube stations: Charing Cross (0.2 miles), Embankment (0.2 miles), Leicester Square (0.4 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Charing Cross (0.2 miles), London Waterloo (0.7 miles), London Waterloo East (0.8 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Massive 'spoons pub in a prime location. Some interesting fact sheet type things around the place giving some history of the nearby attractions. Not at all bad in general.

12 Apr 2009 14:55

I don’t know about ‘Boomerang Gold’, but maybe the author in question should be known as ‘boomerang beercritic’, since they keep going back to this apparently awful pub and keep coming back here, to tell us just how awful the place is:

December 2008 “This pub has become the pits.”
April 2009 “Most days the staff can't cope and the pub is a mess.”

‘Most days’? Several months after describing a pub as ‘the pits’, the author is still regularly visiting the same place? If it is ‘the pits’, why are they returning there at all?

No doubt the boomerang beercritic will be back again, to tell us why they keep visiting a place this apparently terrible pub, over and over again.

12 Apr 2009 13:49

I wanted to write lots of nice things about Jenna, who does a fine job and will be missed. But having read all of beercritic's posts, I thought it's far more fun to be an old curmudgeon.

A few days ago I bought a pint of Torpedo Gold. It was the most disgusting pint I'd sampled in eight years drinking in the Lord Moon. On raising this with the bar staff, I was told emphatically that there was nothing wrong with it. A couple of days later I was at the bar when a gentleman brought back a whole round, no fewer than seven pints, of the very same beer. Two other people at the bar were also protesting at the vile quality of this unpleasant brew, and still the staff were equally vehement that there was nothing wrong with it.

Perhaps they should rename the beer Boomerang Gold since every pint seems to come back.

The other beers were pretty good though.

10 Apr 2009 10:18

The Lamb, Bloomsbury

Address: 94 Lambs Conduit St, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 3LZ [map]
Phone: 020 7405 0713
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Nearest tube stations: Russell Square (0.3 miles), Holborn (0.4 miles), Chancery Lane (0.5 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Kings Cross - Thameslink (0.6 miles), London St Pancras (0.6 miles), Farringdon (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

As per previous poster. Finishing point of a crawl and good one to finish in. Will go again when more sober.

5 Mar 2009 13:00

Good pub, though it gets busy. Good Youngs ale. Nice original decor.

13 Feb 2009 14:14

Popped in for a pint lunchtime for the first time a few days ago; Winter Warmer and Discovery I think was on...The Warmer was ok, not brilliant.
Typical pub of yesteryear with some nice features but didn't try any lunch from the predictable menu as nobody else was, usually a sign...!
I think its just a drinking pub but pleasant enough...

30 Jan 2009 10:13

St Stephens Tavern, Westminster

Address: 10 Bridge Street, London, SW1A 2JR [map]
Phone: 020 7925 2286
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Westminster (0 miles), St James's Park (0.4 miles), Embankment (0.5 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Charing Cross (0.5 miles), London Waterloo (0.6 miles), London Waterloo East (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Too crowded and impossible to move about in. Barmaid stared at me without any hint of a greeting went I got to the bar - maybe I caught it at a bad time (thursday evening at about 6:30pm) but nothing to recommend a return visit I'm afraid.

25 Mar 2009 23:02

I was lucky enough to wander into here just as a large group of tourists were leaving so there was plenty of space in both of the small downstairs bars. The range of badger ales was ok and Peroni, HB and HB export, Guinness and Dry Blackthorn cider were also available from the cheerful barmaid. If memory serves me correctly there was a little background music, but there were no TVs or other distractions.

I don’t think that this place really stands out from many of the boozers in the immediate environs, although I would take no issue with popping back in if passing.

24 Mar 2009 12:54

Nice to see somewhere selling Badger Beer (I played safe and stayed on the excellent Hopping Hare) and nice too to see such a traditional looking pub. Went there around 9pm on a Thursday and it was very busy.

20 Mar 2009 16:51

The Old Fountain, Old Street

Address: 3, Baldwin St, London, EC1V 9NU [map]
Phone: 020 7253 2970
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Old Street (0.1 miles), Moorgate (0.6 miles), Barbican (0.6 miles)

Nearest train stations: Old Street (0.1 miles), Moorgate (0.6 miles), London Barbican (0.6 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Unassuming exterior in an unassuming location hides a traditonal gem. It is larger than you would think, with a long bar that stretches back to a higher level up some steps. Plenty seating provides for the mix of customers that keep the place busy, especially in the early evening. A great range of beers from London Pride to microbreweries I'd never heard of. The evening food was generous and superb- biggest bowl of soup I've ever seen! Service friendly and prompt. I look forward to returning when next in London.

28 Mar 2009 10:10

Fantastic little pub. Very convenient for Old Street. Lovely bar staff who served a great pint of ale. Well worth a visit. Will go again when more sober.

16 Mar 2009 17:39

Excellent pub and close to my place of work. Last night they had eight ales on and the three I had were good. I had Essex Nights by Crouch Vale,Woodforde's Wherry and a Red Squirrel Conservation ale. All priced at £2.80. Wanted to try some more but was on my bike ! Friendly staff too. I will be back.

13 Mar 2009 13:40

More information

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