BITE user comments - Antiquarian
Comments by Antiquarian
An unchanging gem hidden down a passage off Hatton Garden and within really easy range of both Farringdon and Chancery Lane stations. Always a good, changing range of well-kept beers. Ye Olde Mitre has retained the old fashioned pub approach to food for people having a few drinks – things like pork pies and scotch eggs. It is small and can get very busy at times, but equally you can find it pleasantly quiet. Oodles of character and a very long history.
29 Apr 2015 10:53
The Jerusalem Tavern, Clerkenwell
An early 18th century building with original features, this atmospheric place is a favourite location with film and television crews, and it's easy to see why. As other reviewers say, it is quite small and crowds routinely spill out on to the pavement at busy times. However, time it right, and you will find it pleasantly quiet, tucked away in a side street near Farringdon Station. The St Peter's beer range is extensive and well-kept. In my experience, the food has been quite limited, but then it is not a pub I would go to specifically to eat – this is primarily a drinkers' place, a role it performs extremely well.
29 Apr 2015 10:47
Normal central London beer prices, but always an interesting, well-kept range of beers from all over the country, and also often from London, too, so they are doing their bit for the smaller brewers. Good, tasty bar food in a spotlessly clean pub. Service is efficient, and the fires are lit in winter. It can get busy at times, but you are just as likely to find it pleasantly quiet at certain times during the week. Its location in Cloth Fair, within stumbling distance of the wonderful and ancient St Bartholomew's church, and Sir John Betjeman's former flat (see the blue plaque) is fabulous. An atmospheric, well-run pub.
29 Apr 2015 10:41
The Grenadier is a timeless classic. Yes, the beer prices are high, but no worse than in other prominent central London pubs these days. The point is that running costs for places like this are going through the roof and it really is a case of 'use it or lose it'. So... don't choose it for a huge leaving do where a round is going to bankrupt you, but do use it for a pleasant pint or two in a fabulous slice of backstreet London history. It really is in a surprising, atmosphere-soaked spot.
29 Apr 2015 10:34
The George, London Bridge
A rare historic survival of London's old galleried coaching inns, The George is, i'm afraid, a rather poorly-run pub in a fantastic building. It is well worth visiting in order to experience having a drink in a 17th century building. Beer and food is generally OK, but service can range from cheerful and friendly, to surly and unhelpful. What I found unforgivable on one visit in winter was the bitter cold in one of the bars – the National Trust which owns the pub really must look to its laurels about this kind of thing. A pub should be a warm, welcoming, happy place where you get the impression they are glad to see you. When I was there last, a group of tourists were shivering with the cold. Not good. To sum up, then, rather like Dr Johnson, I'd say it is worth seeing, but not worth going to see.
29 Apr 2015 10:59