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

London pub and bar guide

Here's a guide to the pubs and bars of 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 Harp, Covent Garden

Address: 47 Chandos Place, Covent Garden, London, WC2N 4HS
Phone: 02078360291
See full pub details

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:

Very busy, but understandably so.
Great range of beers available and very knowledgeable staff on hand to serve what you want, if you get overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of ale on offer.
Tried a number of beers I'd never heard of and all were perfectly kept; my friend had Guinness, and said it was the best he'd had in central London for a long time.
Seeing as this is only a stone's throw away from my office, I'll be back and dragging along anyone who'll let me.

29 Nov 2011 09:27

This might be heresy, but I wasn't that bowled over by The Harp. Clearly to have a pub with a wide range of ale located right in the centre of London is a fantastic thing. It certainly deserves a visit and you could spend all day in here. But it's the pub itself that left me a bit non-plussed. It is very small and now that everybody knows about it, it's completely rammed! But I hope its success continues - to have decent ale available a stone's throw from Trafalgar Square has got to be a good thing. And I must admit that it must be very handy if you come in or leave from Charing Cross.

27 Sep 2011 20:15

Justifiably the 2011 national pub of the year award winner, still serving a splendid range and quality of ale, proudly. No other reason to re-review, other than to raise the score to 9 from 8, and to give prettiest barmaid of the year award to one of the staff here. The young lady with dark hair, worn up tonight, in jeans and long cardigan. Don't know the name, but she was - is - truly a thing of beauty. It's not just beer that makes pubs!

24 Sep 2011 21:18

The Craft Beer Co, City of London

Address: 82 Leather Lane, City of London, London, EC1N 7TR
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Farringdon (0.2 miles), Chancery Lane (0.2 miles), Barbican (0.5 miles)

Nearest train stations: Farringdon (0.2 miles), London Barbican (0.6 miles), City Thameslink (0.6 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Loved the Avalanche....thanks Pat for taking me to this gem of a pub.

26 Nov 2011 10:57

Very very impressive beer range - about 14 handpumps of which 5 were Stouts & Porters. I tried an Arbor ales bitter then a couple of the Stouts - all were well kept. Eventually found our way upstairs where there was plenty of space ( until about 8pm). Well worth a visit; a superb beer emporium. Yes it is expensive & my Arbor ales beer at 3.9% was £3.70 - the stronger beers (around 5%) were £3.90. Nonetheless the wide range of ales at a variety of styles & strengths (quite a few were about 5% and the strongest was 7.5%) make it a must visit. Just bite your lip & enjoy the beer!!

6 Nov 2011 20:22

Great great selection of beer. I didn't try any of the keg but the real ales I had were very nice. Quite small but with a bit of an upstairs that is worth a look if it crowded, plus there's always the option to stand outside. You could say it is "characterless" but I think it's simple layout works well, I certainly didn't find it pretentious in any way. Great to see a beer being sold at 3% alcohol too, it was a lovely Pale Ale - if they have it on give it a try, you'll be surprised how good it is!

24 Sep 2011 22:50

The Wenlock Arms, Hoxton

Address: 26, Wenlock Rd, London, N1 7TA
Phone: 020 7608 3406
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Old Street (0.5 miles), Angel (0.6 miles), Barbican (0.8 miles)

Nearest train stations: Old Street (0.5 miles), Essex Road (0.7 miles), London Barbican (0.8 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Sadly pub's being allowed to go to the wall, this is because owner steve wants place demolished and is still turning down cash offers higher than amount offered by developers Wenlock LLP. Same thing is gonna happen like the Oakdale, closure and demolition of which all boiled down to one person versus the world! Sad, but there seems little anyone can do :(

27 Nov 2011 13:09

After my last visit, I felt much the same as gaypostman, John Bonser -the erstwhile Grande Dame of BITE- and others that this place was getting too grotty for comfort. I don't know whether someone has shoved the hoover round since (yes that was deliberate understatement) but there did seem to be less grime this time. Maybe it was the time of year and the low light levels! Whatever the case I am glad that place got a reprieve and it still has more soul than many if it's gastro-ised neighbours.

27 Nov 2011 11:06

After several recommendations of the 'you must go to this pub before it closes down' type I called in after work the other week. It was a real eye opener. I'm sorry - but there is more to a pub than serving good beer. I thought I'd never say that - and I'm generally with the anti chain pub and anti gastro pub brigade - but a pub has still got to make an effort. This looked like it wasn't waiting for the demolition order but already starting from the inside! There were holes in the floor, skip furniture and - yes - the toilets stunk to high heaven. Thank God they don't fo food there any more! The place doesn't look like its had a female customer in years. And yes that is important otherwise drinking real beer just becomes a very sad pastime of sad blokes. People make an effort to go to this pub - its a crappy walk from Old Street tube - so they need to see that the pub makes an effort. I'm not asking for bells and whistles just a pleasant environment to enjoy beer.

22 Nov 2011 10:19

The Bree Louise, Euston

Address: 69 Cobourg Street, London, NW1 2HH
Phone: 020 7681 4930
See full pub details

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:

The positives first: excellent range of beers and ciders, no background music: just conversation interspersed with the hammering of opening a new cask! Negatives: very dirty, no atmosphere, unimaginative layout of interior, too bright, overpriced (unless you join CAMRA!), the toilets are dreadful but the customer does have their responsibility in this field! This pub could be so much better with a bit of effort.

4 Dec 2011 08:50

In here last night. Walked in the door and the smell from the toilets was foul. They had a problem and were fixing it. Yes it did get fixed but the smell remained. Sat at a table full of chairs that could do with replacing. One chair that everybody avoided looked like it was Farther Jacks, disgusting. I had only ever been here a lunctimes before and it seemed ok, but in the evening it just so bright. The beer was good though.

27 Nov 2011 10:41

Bounded into the Bree with two friends at 1930 on 25/11/11. Convivial atmosphere and friendly customers engaged in lively conversation. Phenomenal half of Dark Star Festival. Keep it up guys!

26 Nov 2011 23:37

The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak

Address: 139, Highgate Rd, London, NW5 1LE
Phone: 020 7485 1511
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Gospel Oak (0.2 miles), Tuffnell Park (0.4 miles), Kentish Town (0.5 miles)

Nearest train stations: Gospel Oak (0.2 miles), Kentish Town (0.5 miles), Kentish Town West (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Much more down to earth on this visit. It was like a proper old man's drinking pub this afternoon and the Welton brew (some harvest name) went down well. It actually looked and felt like an old school pub today.

25 Nov 2011 17:59

I'd echo 'beershots' comments below. Its would be great to grab a table for the afternoon and evening and run thru the whole range of beers. The owners have got it right, great beer, great service...simple .

21 Nov 2011 17:38

Proper drinkers pub located a short walk form Kentish Town LU station, not very big inside and has a small outside seating/smoking area at back of pub.

Quality selection of real ale and cider, about 10 ales and 5 ciders, served in jugs with a handle and costing from £2.95 a pint.

All beers tried were excellent quality and the bar staff were knowledgeable and friendly.

Serves simple pub food, pork pies and roast pork baps etc, did not try the food but it was selling well and looked good.

Well worth a visit on a pub crawl.

18 Oct 2011 17:01

CASK Pub and Kitchen, Pimlico

Address: 6 Charlwood Street, Pimlico, London, SW1V 2EE
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Pimlico (0.2 miles), Victoria (0.5 miles), St James's Park (0.6 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Victoria (0.4 miles), Vauxhall (0.8 miles), Battersea Park (1 mile)

Reviews by BITE users:

What a grumpy bunch of people get on here. I was drinking Dark Star Hophead and American Pale Ale last night which were on tip top form and £3.70 a pint. I agree expensive, but for a pub in central London (no doubt paying top whack business rates and rent) and near Victoria Station, actually about right. And yes it was packed when we left, unlike many of the pubs nearby, so must be doing something right.

3 Dec 2011 11:05

The only good thing about this place is the choice of beer, which I guess is all that really matters. Or is it!
The façade of the building is awful. The interior isn’t much better. The bar service area is cramped.
In busy times this place is terrible, but if you want to experience the huge selection of bottled beers then I suggest you grab yourself a table when it is quiet like mid afternoon Monday to Wednesday.
And take plenty of cash, it isn’t cheap!

14 Nov 2011 15:10

expensive but you cant complain about the choice. Looks horrid from the outside and too many blokes called Guy and Hugo for my liking (if you get my meaning) but definitely a must for the Ale drinkers among us.

It was mobbed when i went there at 7ish on a Friday night. will try to revisit mid week.

9 Nov 2011 13:46

The Falcon, Clapham Junction

Address: 2 St. Johns Hill, Clapham Junction, London, SW11 1RU
Phone: 02072282076
See full pub details

Nearest train stations: Clapham Junction (0.1 miles), Wandsworth Town (0.9 miles), Wandsworth Common (1.3 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Yep, staff problem ! Waited ages to try and get one of their interesting looking beers. Nobody wanted to serve me so after 10 mins or so I left, beerless and found a nice little boozer up the street.

17 Dec 2011 18:02

The impressive interior is worth seeing and the beer range is impressive but they really do need to do something about the staff ( definitely a couldnt care less or be bothered attitude from both of the two gentlemen we were eventually served by on a Saturday lunchtime - as has been said they appear to be "agency" workers who really haven't cottoned-on to the Real Ale scene - my second beer (Brains SA Gold) was as flat as a pancake but the barman couldn't understand what I was on about when I mentioned this to him). Great shame as this is a good spot for a beer while changing trains. Part of the Nicholsons chain with all that they offer but they really do need to get some more staff on busy days and ones who actually enjoy working in a British pub!!

30 Oct 2011 14:09

A Nicholsons pub - a lot of agency staff; some bald and Polish. Nothing special.

18 Oct 2011 22:29

The Captain Kidd, Wapping

Address: 108 Wapping High Street, Wapping, London, E1W 2NE
Phone: 020 7480 5759
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Wapping (0.2 miles), Rotherhithe (0.4 miles), Rotherithe (0.4 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Shadwell (0.7 miles), Tower Gateway (0.9 miles)

Nearest train stations: South Bermondsey (1 mile), Fenchurch Street (1 mile), Limehouse (1.2 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Visited here as the 6th and last pub on a friday night crawl

A good honest Sam Smiths pub, young staff, a fairly young crowd, nice enough atmosphere if not a bit nothing'ness for me.

The lighting was quite dark and i know it's probably good for the ambiance, but i could of done with it being a little bit brighter.

Good selection of Sam Smith ales & the Stout that i had was very well kept.

Worth a visit but not as good or charming as the Town of Ramsgate

7 Dec 2011 18:32

A group of us popped in here yesterday as part of a pub crawl from Tower Hill to Canary Wharf. We found the bar staff to be very friendly and the pub had a good atmosphere for a Saturday afternoon in early December. Excellent view of the river. The upstairs restauarnt was the only place where you could eat. We didn't, we just drank!

4 Dec 2011 13:17

Returned to the Kidd (one of my favourite pubs) on Saturday 22nd October after an absence of a couple of months. Sadly I found following a change of management it has gone down hill. Unfriendly and slow bar staff and the upstairs room with amazing views of the river closed. This could be forgiven if not for the behaviour of manager at the end of the night. He called time at 10:45pm and then at 11:10pm proceeded to 'encourage' people to leave by aggressively snatching away their unfinished drinks. In one case a snatch resulted in throwing beer over a number of patrons who were getting up to leave. Given the nature of the clientele who drink in the Kidd on a Saturday night this was completely unnecessary and quite unsettling. I won't be in any hurry to return again soon. Sad news for a once great pub.

28 Oct 2011 18:42

The Eleanor Arms, Bow

Address: 460, Old Ford Rd, Bow, London, E3 5JP
Phone: 02089806992
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Bow Road (0.7 miles), Hackney Wick (0.7 miles), Mile End (0.7 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Bow Church (0.8 miles), Pudding Mill Lane (0.9 miles)

Nearest train stations: Hackney Wick (0.7 miles), Homerton (1 mile), Cambridge Heath (1.1 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

The Eleanor Arms will be stocking the entire range of Shepherd Neame Cak Ales from next week. In rotation that is!

25 Aug 2011 13:01

The Eleanor Arms will be closed to the general public on Saturday 30th from 5pm due to a ticket only event taking place.

28 Jul 2011 13:38

Mini beer festival starting next weekend, 3 guests supplied by Sheps. Hook Norton Gold, Hogs Back Tea & Hydes Original.

2 Jul 2011 13:11

The William IV, Leyton

Address: 816 High Road, Leyton, London, E10 6AE
Phone: 020 8556 2460
See full pub details

Nearest tube station: Walthamstow Central (0.7 miles)

Nearest train stations: Leyton Midland Road (0.4 miles), Walthamstow Queens Road (0.7 miles), Walthamstow Central (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Currently visiting a pub for every station on London Overground. Did this one for Leyton Midland Road. A very good Brodies pub with a staggering 14 beers on when I visited. The Brodies Kiwi was in good condition when I went though i hear it can be hit and miss here. Very, very cheap and a nice, friendly atmosphere in here. I recommend highly!

7 Oct 2011 19:10

Rather shabby, down at heel yet characterful Walthamstow pub. Two Brodies beers tried, which were both rather unbalanced citrus bombs. I think they'd be better perfecting a smaller range of beers rather than providing the seemingly endless choice at the moment. A case of ambition and scale overcoming quality I feel.

Can't knock the prices though! Can't remember last time I got change from £4 for two pints!

15 Aug 2011 19:06

I was in last night for the first time in a while. I'm sorry to say I was disappointed. Not by the friendly service, decent food or atmosphere, but by the beer. Me and my mate tried 8 f the Brodies on between us and 6 of them were in very poor condition. They weren't quite bad enough to take back, but were pretty close. I hope this is a temporary blip, perhaps the hot weather hasn't helped. I've been coming here on and off since they started the Brodies and I hope they get this sorted.

6 Aug 2011 10:52

Ye Old Mitre, Holborn

Address: 1 Ely Court, Ely Place, Holborn, London, EC1N 6SJ
Phone: 020 7405 4751
See full pub details

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:

I'm pleased that the beer range has been kept with guest beers still available (even though it is now a Fullers pub) as this is another of London's little gems and is a classic of its kind. I shall say no more as you should make the effort to find and enjoy it yourselves.

5 Jan 2012 12:58

Spent a very pleasant hour or so in here. Had a lovely pint of Discovery - not really a winter beer but very refreshing, and then a bottle of Fullers London Porter I saw hiding at the back of the fridge. Service was good, the clientele was varied and friendly and the pub itself is really warm and atmospheric. I wish I lived next door rather than a long train ride away.

3 Dec 2011 09:35

just been in after footie, had some Oakham JHB then tried a new beer for me Exmoor Dark -brill
Been coming in here for a while now read the posting below -Troll
If you want to upset the Jock, ask about SNP party, do a Taggart impression or say is that all you've got on tonight !!, he's making a fotrtune for Fullers

15 Nov 2011 22:58

The Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden

Address: 33, Rose St, London, WC2E 9EB
Phone: 020 7497 9504
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Covent Garden (0.1 miles), Leicester Square (0.1 miles), Charing Cross (0.3 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Charing Cross (0.3 miles), London Waterloo (0.9 miles), London Waterloo East (0.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

I take the point about keeping it in the (brewing) family and the full range of Fullers beers - which sadly many of their pubs do not seem to stock - is pretty impresssive. During a recent visit to the Lamb I had a couple of pints of the excellent Bengal Lancer, though 4 quid a pint begins to make a hole in the pocket. I dread to think what a refurbishment will do to this old gem. Too many pubs start off as part of the heritage and end up as some twat's idea of what a trendy Miami bar would look like. What's that sad wreck in Neil Street? The Crown & Anchor? A terrible warning.

The one thing I hope it will do is finally get rid of the ghastly smell about which many BITE-ers have commented and which on my last visit was as persistent as ever. This is probably the reason why my intake at the L and F is always liquid and I have never had the urge to eat there.

18 Dec 2011 16:08

Dear Browntrout, I have to say your 'horror' is a little overdone. The Lamb & Flag was for many years tied to Courage (a brewery which in the seventies was not noted for being good with old pubs or real ale. Yet Courage's management did not do the pub any harm and Fuller's track record all over London and the south east speaks for itself. Fuller's will keep all that is worth keeping. I'm sure the dear old pub can do with a bit of redecoration.
As for tourists, I think they are already the majority of the clientele and love them or hate them, they do bring money into the country.
And no, I don't work for Fuller's. I just love their ales and I enjoy visiting their new pubs and re-visiting old haunts.

12 Dec 2011 13:10

Made a rare visit to old london town...so had to go to my wonderful local of 35 years ago....was pleased to see it had'nt been buggered up.......but horrified to learn that it was no longer a free house and that Fulllers, the new owners, were planning a ten week ''refurbishment'' early in 2012.....so visit while you can before it's heart and soul are ripped out.......Fullers being a family run business really should know better......And for all you folk who want a clean, sterile, corporate run pub.....go and drink with the tourists!!!!!!

8 Dec 2011 10:42

Yates's, Leicester Square

Address: 29-30 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7JZ
Phone: 020 7839 7967
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Leicester Square (0.1 miles), Piccadilly Circus (0.2 miles), Charing Cross (0.3 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Charing Cross (0.2 miles), London Waterloo (0.9 miles), London Waterloo East (1 mile)

Reviews by BITE users:

Had a beer and a burger after work last night, was not overly crowded, the food was good for the price there are a lot of staff not from england which sometimes had an impact on ordering, but they were nice enough with it. Will prob go again next time i am in the area!

21 Jan 2012 12:58

Hey, Last night for the first time went to Yates in Leicester sq, and to be quite honest I really enjoy myself like I haven't for a long time, a nice envoirement, not to cheap not to expensive! Appart the fact that was bit crowded, the service was great, the staff was super friendly not compared to some other pubs in the area with a very smily NOT faces and not really sympathetic. Summarising I really I a good time.
Appart from the nasty comments surronding this place, I think people shouldn't make a pre-concepted ideas or stade of mind, which or not really pleasant, they should check it by themselfs, I like my oppinion Its an A+.
P.s: I am not a employee from yates, just costumer, and I know how to write in perfect English!!!

13 Jan 2012 12:40

PAT - clearly you dont have a life!!!!!! so what you have had a bad experience there, get over it!!! you have nothing better to do than slate this place, why not let people go and experience it themselves..........judging by your one review and your constant irrelvant comments you dont get out much! this is not face book this is a place for people to put a review down, i will not reply after this, as i have ALREADY written my review, just thought someone should let you know, that you should do the same!!!!

13 Jan 2012 12:15

The Peacock, Tower Hill

Address: 41, Minories, London, EC3N 1DT
Phone: 020 7488 3630
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Tower Hill (0.2 miles), Aldgate (0.2 miles), Aldgate East (0.3 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Tower Gateway (0.1 miles), Bank (0.6 miles), Shadwell (0.9 miles)

Nearest train stations: Fenchurch Street (0.1 miles), London Liverpool Street (0.6 miles), Cannon Street (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

In here for an evening session in early December, and it did the job. A couple of unusual ales on tap plus a couple of standards, good range, excellent jukebox (free, if I remember rightly) and the place was unexpectedly not filled with pillocks in suits. A good pub in an uninspiring area.

9 Jan 2012 09:42

Been there once or twice, OK when you've got the upstairs to yourself for a game of darts, despite the lack of proper oches and sub-standard lighting compared to other venues, but as soon as someone gets on the pool table you might as well not bother. Also a bit irritating to be going up and down stairs every ten minutes.

8 Jul 2011 01:37

Excellent pints, worthy of the Camra awards. Ringwood, Wads 6 and Redemption all on top form.

30 Mar 2011 11:20

The Cardinal, Victoria

Address: 23 Francis St, London, SW1P 1DN
Phone: 020 7834 7260
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Victoria (0.3 miles), St James's Park (0.4 miles), Pimlico (0.5 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Victoria (0.3 miles), Vauxhall (1 mile), London Charing Cross (1.2 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

I was also in here on Thursday afternoon, from 12.00 till 16.30. There were a few noisy groups in (mine was older and a bit more sedate). The OBB was pleasant and the food OK, but I wouldn't make a bee line for here for either the food or beer. Getting served was indeed a problem- there was only one person serving and another doing the food.

19 Dec 2011 12:34

Typical Sam smiths pub. If you like the beer its great if you dont too bad. i do and as usual place was "cheap as chips" easily the cheapest on my travels in the local area

9 Nov 2011 13:55

Fantastic venue, a round of 6 beers cost us less than £13.50! Friendly barstaff and a good atmosphere. And as if that wasn't enough to attract you to the venue, it's even Phil Collins' local - and we saw him in there with a half pint of Taddy lager!

30 Sep 2011 09:39

More information

Want to find out more about pubs in London? Why not have a look at our advanced pub search or full text pub search? You might also want to browse pubs by county or region. Or have some fun with the random pub crawl generator.