16 Iconic Pubs To Go to In London (+ Our Bucket Checklist)

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Fancy a cheeky pint and undecided what essentially the most iconic pubs in London are? Who doesn’t need the reply to this query. Nonetheless, with over 3,500 pubs to select from, it’s nearly unattainable for anybody to definitively reply it.

Going to a pub is a quintessentially English factor to do. Pubs have been part of British tradition for centuries, and are the locations the place individuals meet family and friends to socialize, watch a dwell band play, dine on farm-to-table meals, and become involved in ol’ original chinwag (that’s Brit communicate for dialog).

Being an enormous a part of British heritage and tradition, any outdated pub received’t do. You bought to hunt out the perfect of the perfect, not simply the closest to vacationer points of interest.

That’s the place we are available. We’ve put collectively this information to essentially the most iconic pubs to go to in London which give worldwide guests a really feel for the pub tradition, join them to England’s historical past, and possibly even discover some pleasant locals to have interaction in banter with (one other Brit phrase for light-hearted dialog).

Essentially the most iconic pubs in London

Virtually any pub you stroll into will provide you a similar ambiance – the scent of beer soaked carpet, the sound of laughter and males cheering, a fruit machine buzzing within the nook cozy, and a pleasant barman welcomes you with a smile and presumably a “hiya guys!”

Pubs in London are usually a heat expertise, regardless of if you’re visiting as a household or with pals. However pubs are available many styles and sizes, some are fashionable and a few are historic, and a few have rowdy regulars you may wish to keep away from. So we’ve listed a variety of various kinds of pub under that we’ve visted and loved.

1. Lamb & Flag, Covent Backyard

What a pleasant discover this outdated pub tucked away down a cobblestone alley in Covent Backyard was. How I had by no means heard of the Lamb & Flag once I lived in London I’ll by no means know. 

It’s probably the most well-known pubs in London and the oldest pub in Covent Backyard (the oldest pub in London remains to be up for debate, however this will surely be a contender) with a historical past that spans 2 hundred and fifty years. 

The very first point out of a pub on this website was in 1772, when it was generally known as The Coopers Arms till it turned The Lamb & Flag in 1833, though the constructing is claimed to this point again to 1623.

Within the early nineteenth Century it was generally known as “The Bucket of Blood,” for the bare-knuckle prize fights held right here. And the Lamb and Flag was additionally a favourite pub of Charles Dickens.

As to be anticipated, inside is slim with small rooms, creaky flooring, and ceilings made for 18th Century drinkers. I cherished the little alleyway to the facet of the pub – watch your head as you duck to exit. 

Patrons will crowd the entrance entrance on a heat day – leaving extra room for you upstairs within the eating space. 

The standard English pub meals was glorious and felt just a little extra upscale than you’d anticipate (with cheap costs contemplating). We couldn’t go previous bangers and mash and pie and mash! 

This can be a nice pub to go to if you end up exploring the West Finish of London. That’s the area of Covent Backyard, Leicester Sq., and Soho.

2. The Founder’s Arms, Southwark

The Founder’s Arms was certainly one of our favourite pubs in London due to the magnificent views of the River Thames, Millennium Bridge, St Paul’s, and the North Financial institution. 

Fingers crossed you possibly can snag a desk outdoors, particularly if the solar is out and you’ve got a uncommon t-shirt climate day. (Luck was in our favor!)

They’ve flooring to ceiling views from inside by means of their glass home windows so you possibly can’t go incorrect even if you’re caught inside.

Pimm’s & Lemonade is the drink to match this London view. And this might be an ideal spot for a pub lunch as effectively. I used to be very happy with my chips and mayo – a favourite London dish I ate nearly each day. For the People, that’s chips as in fries.

The Founder’s Arms is close to many London points of interest together with St Paul’s, Tate Trendy gallery, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and Borough Markets.

3. The Anchor – Bankside, Southwark

The Anchor Bankside was a favourite London pub of ours for its historical past and River Thames location in Southwark. Its giant beer backyard with its personal tiki bar was enjoyable.

The Anchor’s historical past dates again to the 1600s, however the present pub was constructed within the 1800s! It’s stated to have been frequented by none aside from Shakespeare! It’s additionally on the positioning of a Roman grave and plague pit. 

On a sunny day, it is going to be exhausting to discover a place within the beer backyard or rooftop, BUT, you possibly can simply simply stand on the cobblestone walkway in entrance. It’s the London approach. 

The Anchor is surrounded by many London points of interest and is close to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, London Bridge, and Borough Markets, and the Clink Museum.

4. Waxy O’ Connors, West Finish

All the time a favourite from my days residing in London was Waxy O’Connor’s, an Irish pub situated on the sting of Soho / Leicester Sq.. Because it’s not likely baby pleasant, we didn’t go to on our final journey to London, however I like to recommend you do!

The rationale I most love this London pub is the gigantic tree rising in the course of it. We have now an analogous pub in Raleigh, however the tree is nowhere close to as spectacular.

Sitting amongst tree branches and tree trunks carved right into a seating space feels such as you’ve been transported into magical Pixie Land. And if you get tired of that, you discover the labyrinth of 4 distinctive bars masking six ranges all linked collectively by a maze of staircases and passages.

This can be a get together place for certain – particularly on St Patrick’s Day, throughout dwell sporting video games, and after they have dwell music. Come early as this place will get packed. Waxy’s is an iconic London pub to not miss – particularly for time!

5. The Crown & Anchor, Covent Backyard

We loved this small pub in Covent Backyard unfold out over two flooring. We met up with a good friend right here for dinner – gluten free fish and chips with scrumptious mushy peas and nice sausage rolls for the children!

The workers listed below are very pleasant. The downstairs can get crowded rapidly, and with our youngsters we loved the extra consolation and area of the lounge upstairs – though you’ll most likely should go downstairs to order.

They’re situated within the Seven Dials space of Covent Backyard proper close to the meals market, and lots of purchasing streets (nice on your teen! Covent Backyard was on our London for teenagers checklist). It’s not an outdated pub for London requirements, opening within the early 1900s, which is taken into account fashionable for London’s requirements!

It’s additionally very near a number of West Finish theatres so its nice for pre or post-theatre meals and drinks.

6. Tattershall Citadel on the River Thames

A favourite sunny time out once I lived in London was a few pints on the Queen Mary floating on the River Thames on the embankment. She is now not there!

However, you could have choices for the same expertise at Tattershall Citadel. Sit on the deck beneath that tilted pink and blue chimney with a drink and views of the London Eye.

Earlier than being a raucous London Pub, she was a floating artwork gallery and passenger ferry on the Humber Estuary within the Nineteen Seventies.

This can be a distinctive London pub expertise. In addition they have meals, specializing in fish and chips – and a child’s menu!

7. Edinboro Citadel Pub, Camden

Considered one of our favourite pubs in London (we went right here twice) was the beer backyard of the Edinboro Citadel Pub close to Camden.

Positioned a couple of streets again from the primary Camden City and fewer grungy than most of the different pubs within the area, the Edinboro is an excellent place to relaxation your ft, absorb neighborhood vibes with a scrumptious pub lunch and native brew.

The beer backyard is decked out with small pink heated consuming cubicles and lights strung up between the shady timber. Inside is simply as good should you choose that.

On Sundays, they’ve their Sunday roast, which, aside from the Yorkshire Pudding, is gluten free, together with the gravy!

They’d a scrumptious gluten free beer on faucet right here too. For those who go to on every other day of the week, it’s nonetheless price coming to the Edinboro for lunch, and even only a pint.

8. Hawley Arms, Camden

Referred to as Amy Winehouse’s pub as a result of she frequented it usually, however would additionally soar behind the bar to drag pints for drinkers. (see the poster if her within the high left window within the {photograph} above!)

The Hawley Arms has the Camden really feel of outdated – punk, grunge, and filled with enjoyable. It’s an eclectic combine of individuals and deep conversations in quiet corners and raucous laughter on the ground.

It’s susceptible to singing and dancing breakouts by workers and clientele. There’s an upstairs addition to the pub that now hosts dwell music occasions, and lots of well-known individuals could be seen right here. A few of which embrace Liam Gallagher, Kate Moss, and Pete Doherty.

9. Dublin Citadel, Camden

Dublin Citadel is a legendary London pub for its dwell music scene that has spanned a long time. It has been ran by the identical household for over 28 years and options 4 dwell bands each evening in addition to an ideal number of beers, ciders and wines.

It could really feel just a little grungy once you stroll in with its dim lighting and posters plastered over the pink partitions, however that’s precisely whey individuals prefer it.

There is no such thing as a stuffy pretense wanted right here. It’s merely a spot to show up along with your mates for time listening to good music!

The Dublin Citadel helped begin the careers of Blur, Coldplay, The Killers, Arctic Monkeys and Muse! It was additionally frequented by Amy Winehouse.

10. The Plough Pub, Bloomsbury

This can be a nice watering gap within the coronary heart of Bloomsbury in London, and a brief stroll from the British Museum. The pub has been been round since late Victorian occasions, and was as soon as generally known as the ‘Child’s Backside’, presumably for its as soon as pink colour.

It was frequented by artists and writers earlier than the warfare. Bloomsbury was an space the place many well-known individuals lived and roamed together with Virginia Woolf, Charles Darwin, and Charles Dickens.

Our good pals from Raleigh, Curt and Jenny, really helpful The Plough Pub to us as their favourite pub in London. Curt’s dad’s ashes sit on this pub, so we popped in to say G’day and have a drink with him.

There’s first flooring lounge room with further seating, nevertheless it was closed once we visited. It’s a clear and conventional wanting London pub and is kind of small. Service was very pleasant!

11. Camden Head Pub, The Angel

For those who’re exploring the Angel Islington area of North London, chances are you’ll wish to cease in on the Camden Head Pub for lunch and a pint.

We discovered our approach right here after visiting Platform 9 and three/4 at Kings Cross Station and exploring a couple of Harry Potter movie places within the space. 

There’s a very cute pedestrian avenue referred to as Islington’s Camden Passage which is legendary for its vintage markets and unbiased retailers. Tucked away right here is the Camden Head Pub with a big terrace overlooking the Passage. 

The Camden Head was first established in 1849 as a tavern on Islington Inexperienced and rebuilt in 1899. 

This pub is what is named a traditional gin palace – the ancestor to pubs. Inside you’ll discover an inside that fits this elaborate Victorian fashion with wooden paneling, chandeliers, engraved window panes for a contact of glamour. We had an ideal pub lunch right here. I cherished its homely ambiance.

12. The Gipsy Moth, Greenwich

In step with the maritime really feel of Greenwich in Southeast London is the quirky Gypsy Moth, named after the small boat by which Sir Francis Chichester sailed single-handedly all over the world.

With its darkish blue inside, wood flooring, grand bar, wood wall lining, and nautical art work you’ll really feel such as you’re about to set sail beside the well-known Cutty Sark you possibly can see from outdoors the window or from the beer backyard out again. 

We solely stopped in right here for a drink, however you’ll additionally discover a menu with conventional pub favorites.

The close by Cutty Sark pub is a Greenwich establishment. It’s greater than 200 years outdated and has an ideal riverside terrace and views throughout the Thames.

Close to right here in Greenwich is the Cutty Sark Museum, Royal Naval Museum, Queen’s Home, and Royal Observatory – all unbelievable issues to do in London!

13. Hereford Arms, South Kensington

The Hereford Arms was merely steps away from our lodge, the Millennium Gloucester in South Kensington. 

This Vicotirian pub constructed within the late nineteenth century had fairly a refined, cozy attraction about it with its rustic wood inside, quirky mismatch of furnishings and wall hangings, and white exterior with flower packing containers on the home windows. 

It’s rumored to be the consuming hang-out of Jack the Ripper, however since nobody is aware of who that was, that story can’t be confirmed.

We got here only for a drink however the menu regarded fairly spectacular with its conventional pub meals combined in with extra unique and fashionable sounding meals like lamb neck filets, roasted butternut squash, and asparagus cheese tarts

Ideally situated for exploring Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Victoria & Albert Museum, and Knightsbridge.

14. The Stanhope Arms, South Kensington

One other pub in South Kensington situated throughout the street from our lodge. 

I cherished experiencing the extra neighborhood vibe of those pubs, and the Stanhope had fairly an upbeat ambiance with mixture of ages and other people. 

Because it’s proper throughout from Gloucester Highway tube station, the Stanhope Arms will see an attention-grabbing combine of individuals revolving by means of every day from enterprise individuals and vacationers through the day to extra native and college students within the night.

The Stanhope pub was in-built 1835, and has been visited by many well-known individuals equivalent to soccer icons Dennis Smart, Frank Lampard and the American actress, Eliza Dushku.

15. The Lamb Tavern, Leadenhall Markets

As quickly as we walked previous and I noticed the “blokey” vibe of the after-work drinkers spilling outdoors on the cobblestoned lanes of the market, I knew we had been within the Liverpool St space of London!

That is Bankerville and I used to serve related clientele in a pub I labored in across the nook close to Liverpool St Station. 

Whereas we didn’t go to the Lamb Tavern in Leadenhall Markets, we did pop in for a fast lavatory break and I cherished the beautiful outdated and small inside and the Rickety steel spiral staircase main upstairs. 

The Lamb Tavern has been working as a bar since 1790. The menu is impressed from Leadenhall markets’ heritage of meat, poultry and recreation and their Sunday roast is widespread. Their first flooring restaurant overlooks the market. 

I needed to advocate this pub as I preferred the look of it and wished we’d stayed for a drink, however largely due to its location within the beautiful Leadenhall Markets in Central London.

These stunning lined markets had been initially established in 1321 as a marketplace for butchers and fishmongers (Nonetheless historical past says it was the middle of Roman London as a bazaar space within the 1st Century!)

A lot of the ornately embellished inside and cobbled laneways that you simply see preserved at the moment is from a redesign in 1881.

It’s now a purchasing precinct with fashionable bars, cute cafes, boutique shops and a few taverns. One of many causes vacationers come right here is that it was used as the outside for Diagon Alley within the first couple of Harry Potter movies.

16. Slug and Lettuce, Richmond

Slug and Lettuce is a sequence of pubs widespread with college students. They get a foul rep due to this clientele, however the S&L in Richmond is something however a dank, dive bar pupil pub.

I’d ceaselessly go to the Slug and Lettuce on the banks of the River Thames in Richmond once I lived in London. 

Whereas it’s an space a primary time traveler to London could not go to, if you’re a returning customer, or a traveler with much more time and want to discover London’s neighborhood – and a quieter, native vibe – this might be a unbelievable day journey in London. 

This can be a standout London pub merely for its riverside location and views. Fortunately, it’s all collectively an ideal pub expertise as effectively for everybody in your touring get together. 

The Slug and Lettuce is a enjoyable English pub chain, often attracting a youthful crowd (particularly at evening), and are embellished with a Bridgerton floral, color-pop vibe. You’ll usually discover nice offers on foods and drinks too. 

They’ve actually cheap children meals, who’re welcome till 8pm. 

And if you wish to add a contact of English class to this London pub expertise, the Slug & Lettuce has a excessive tea for you at an inexpensive value. 

You’ll be able to mix lunch right here with a go to to the close by Kew Gardens, the Tudor Palace of Hampton Court docket, or the beautiful Richmond Park. And I extremely advocate taking a stroll alongside the river whereas right here.

Extra London pubs on our Bucket Checklist

There are such a lot of different pubs we didn’t get to go to, however are on our checklist because of suggestions from others. Listed below are some high contenders on our checklist to take a look at subsequent time:

• The Churchill Arms in Kensington. This common hang-out of Winston Churchill’s in West London is thought to be one of many prettiest pubs in London with its flower-clad façade. It was in-built 1750 and is among the oldest pubs within the metropolis.
• Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on the opposite facet in East London (in Fleet Avenue), is that this historic pub rebuilt after the good Fireplace of London and frequented by Charles Dickens. 
• Inbuilt 1550, the Mayflower is the oldest pub on the Thames. People will love figuring out that this London pub is near the place the Pilgrim Fathers set sail in 1620 for the (now) USA.
• Ye Olde Mitre, Excessive Holborn, established 1546 and constructed by Bishop Goodrich and is claimed to have been frequented by Queen Elizabeth I and her favorite member of court docket, Sir Christopher Hatton.
• The Dove in Hammersmith was as soon as within the Guinness Bork of Data for having the smallest bar within the UK. It’s rumoured King Charles II visited right here together with his mistress. 
• The Viaduct Tavern, close to St Paul’s Cathedral is rumored to be constructed on the positioning of a former jail. This gin palace nonetheless has 5 cells seen within the basement. 
• Mentioned to be London’s oldest pub, The Prospect of Whitby in Wapping, although it’s nonetheless out for debate. Established in 1520 and identified to draw smugglers, thieves, and pirates, which gave it the nickname “the Satan’s Tavern.”
• The Spaniard’s Inn in Hampstead is claimed to be the place to stumble upon a contemporary celeb because it’s situated in certainly one of London’s most prosperous neighbourhoods. It’s the Beverly Hills of London and the place celebrities dwell to “get away” from all of it.
• The Grenadier Belgravia is a tiny pub which is legendary for being “probably the most haunted pubs in London.” It has yellowed newspapers on its partitions explaining its haunted historical past.
• The Grapes, Limehouse is a pub owned by Sir Ian Mckellen, who famously performed Gandalf in Lord of the Rings.
• The George Inn, Southwark a seventeenth century pub situated close to London Bridge and is the one surviving galleried teaching inn in London.
• Ye Olde Cock Tavern in Holborn is legendary for its gins. It’s a Grade II listed constructing constructed within the sixteenth century.
• The Riverside Pub Trafalgar Tavern, is claimed to have been a daily hang around for literary, creative and political individuals, equivalent to Charles Dickens, who even used it because the setting for the marriage breakfast in his novel Our Mutual Good friend.

Issues to know earlier than visiting pubs in London

For those who’re visiting London for the primary time, listed below are some suggestions and issues to learn about pub tradition in England:

• In case you are touring with children like us, it’s useful to know that many London pubs received’t be household pleasant after 5pm – so all the time examine on the web site earlier than visiting! In the event that they serve meals, it can often be okay to go to with children, but when they don’t, then they’re unlikely to be household pleasant. Meals is the primary giveaway should you’re ever not sure.
• Beer is dear in London, you’re between £7-£10 a pint, relying on how central you might be and what pub you’re in. Nonetheless, I LOVED that most of the pubs have gluten free beer and cider choices, which had been low in sugar and alcohol. It was nice to get pleasure from a drink with lunch and never stroll out buzzing like with what appears to be the usual 6.5+% beers within the USA now.
• Select a craft beer. Most pubs can have a craft beer providing from someplace native. In Camden, select a Camden Hell, or in South London, select a Gipsy Hill Brew. You may get Guinness and Carlsberg wherever on this planet.
• Some pubs might be older than the existence, and a few even older than your tradition (in our case Australia) with fascinating historical past and tales to inform. Make sure you study the story of the place you might be visiting. Have a look at the memorabilia on the partitions and if there’s no story talked about wherever, strike up a chat with the pub landlord, they’re often all the time glad to share what they know of the place.
• Many pubs, even historic pubs, might be owned by the similar firm. Widespread pub chains in England embrace Youngs, Fuller’s, and Inexperienced King. A famously low-cost pub chain is known as the Wetherspoon, which has actually low-cost pub meals which isn’t often good, nevertheless, they do have a tendency to purchase historic buildings and switch them into pubs. I’ve drank in outdated church buildings, factories, and renovated townhouses earlier than. They could be owned by chains, however retain their very own tales and character. Nonetheless, it does imply you’ll discover the identical menu at a few of them.
• One factor to notice is most London pubs have a tendency to shut at 11pm, with final name drinks at 10:30pm. Once more, this can be a good factor so that you don’t get temped to have a LONG evening with exploration deliberate for the following day!

Last ideas

Most of the pubs can have dwell music, beer gardens, and stunning London views, and there’s loads of distinctive pubs with a extra fashionable, modern flare as effectively. 

What I like about pubs in England are their names, which often have some type of animal within the title – the perfect I’ve come throughout are the Thirsty Camel, Canine & Duck, and Fox & Hound.

They may even have the phrase Queen or King in between.

Visiting a pub is a real English cultural expertise, and one of many coolest issues to do in London.

On this information, we visited all of the pubs talked about, and a few we visited within the night whereas the children stayed in our close by lodge. (We have now a teen so we will do that).

I’ll by no means be so daring as to say these are the “greatest pubs in London” – who of their proper consuming thoughts can decide that? However, they’re a couple of of our favorites after a brief time frame exploring London (and a pair thrown in that I cherished visiting once I lived in London!).

Every so often we’d combine it up with a excessive tea or a café or restaurant, however pubs had been by far our favourite.

We didn’t come near checking off all essentially the most iconic pubs in London, however at the very least we now have some extra to go to on our subsequent journey to London, as a result of we’ll undoubtedly be again.

Make sure you go away your favorites (and why) within the feedback under.

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Have you ever discovered a pub you’d like to go to from this checklist? Have you learnt of any extra nice pubs in London we should always add to this checklist? Inform us extra within the feedback.