Our 10 favorite local pubs and bars in central London
When in London, drink as the locals drink, right? That means, of course, a visit to the pub.
In previous articles, we’ve explained the etiquette of visiting a traditional pub, where to find a lovely (and affordable) Sunday roast, and how to save on London nightlife and culture, but where should you go for an authentic (and not too costly) pub experience?
Well, we’ve picked out 10 of our favorite London pubs below. They’re all located in central London, and are all highly recommended for providing a well deserved respite from the bustle of London streets. These are pubs that are popular with locals, given their histories, locations, specialties, and — of course — drink prices!
And if you need a place to stumble back to after a fun night out on the town, you can check out these centrally located budget hotels in London. After all, you can afford to grab an extra pint or two when you save on your accommodations!
Here are our top 10 favorite pubs in central London. The next round’s on us!
1. Lamb and Flag
33 Rose St, London WC2E 9EB
Tube: Covent Garden
The Lamb and Flag is ideally placed for escaping the throngs of Covent Garden. Slightly tucked away from the main streets, you’re more likely to be rubbing shoulders (it does often reach a rubbing shoulders level of busy) with a Londoner than with a fellow tourist.
The building has a great history — reflected in its appearance — having been on this site since 1772. Beloved of Charles Dickens, it once was called the “Bucket of Blood”, as it was known for bare-knuckle fighting. It’s much more welcoming now — so much that if you sign up to their mailing list, you can get yourself a free pint.
2. The George Inn
77 Borough High St, Southwark, London SE1 1NH
Tube: London Bridge
Another Dickens recommendation: this pub was actually mentioned in Little Dorritt. It’s an amazing building — a rare surviving example of a galleried inn and the exterior dates all the way back to 1677. Its uniqueness makes it one of the most expensive options on this list, so we recommend savoring a pint in their courtyard on a sunny day, and then moving on. We named the George Inn one as our favorite traditional London pubs for historic drinking.
Princess Louise pub. Photo: KotomiCreations
3. Princess Louise
208 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EP, UK
Tube: Holborn
The Princess Louise is an all-round winner. First of all, it’s run by the Samuel Smith brewery, who serve up some of the cheapest pints in London. Then there is its astounding Victorian interior. Entering is like stepping back in time — it’s divided into small compartments, each seating just a handful of people, arranged around a central bar. Mirrored, frosted glass and mosaics create a visual feast that’s unlike most pubs or bars you’ll ever visit.
4. Bradley’s Spanish Bar
42-44 Hanway St, London, W1T 1UT, United Kingdom
Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Despite the name, this is less bar and more pub. The name does have some truth in it, however, as it serves a good line of very well priced Spanish beers and wine. This unpretentious, fun but battered around the edges venue spans several levels. The star attraction is the much-loved vinyl jukebox.
5. The Harp
47 Chandos Pl, London WC2N 4HS, United Kingdom
Tube: Charing Cross/Leicester Square
Another oasis of civility in the middle of one of the busiest area of town. Behind this pub’s charming stained glass windows, you’ll discover plenty of choice for ale aficionados. The two narrow floors make it a tight squeeze, but drinkers spill out onto the alley outside in the summer. As with the Lamb and Flag, it’s operated by Fuller’s, so sign up on the site for your free drink.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Photo: George Rex
6. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
145 Fleet St, London EC4A 2BU, UK
Tube: St Pauls
You’ll find the entrance to popular Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in the narrow alleyway coming off Fleet Street. That sets the tone for the pub — rebuilt after Great Fire of London, it’s a maze of rooms and passageways. It’s undeniably atmospheric, with its dark corners and open fires, and past famous drinkers are said to have included Mark Twain, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and, yes, like many other pubs, Charles Dickens. Like the Princess Louise, it’s a Samuel Smith’s pub, so it offers some of the most reasonably priced drinks in central London.
7. Scootercaffe
132 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AE, United Kingdom
Tube: Waterloo
The Scootercaffe is definitely the least pub-like of all the drinking establishments we’re recommending, but it’s a charming cafe-bar of the type that’s surprisingly hard to find in London. Their coffee machine keeps going into the night, but there’s bottled beers and wine to be enjoyed here, too. Spread over two higgledy-piggledy floors, with vintage furniture and sometimes even a cat, it’s a dark and cozy place to enjoy a few drinks.
8. The Lyric
37 Great Windmill St, London W1D 7LU
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Looking for a small, but a perfectly formed Victorian pub in a busy part of town? The Lyric is a great example of a good British boozer — there’s a great selection of craft beer, an open fire, reasonably priced tasty grub, and the likelihood of a football game showing on the screens.
9. The Lexington
96-98 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9JB
Tube: King’s Cross/Angel
The Lexington’s drink selection differs from the traditional British boozer in that it favors U.S. bottled beers and whiskies. That’s in keeping with its rock n’ roll spirit — the Lexington is one of the city’s best places to see up and coming bands. In fact, it’s a brilliant place to spend an afternoon that tips into an evening, as there’s plenty to entertain here — from music quizzes to club nights. It pulls off feeling just decadent enough while still being welcoming.
Enjoying a couple of pints at Holborn Whippet. Photo: Tom Anderson
10. The Holborn Whippet
25-29 Sicilian Ave, London WC1A 2QH
Tube: Holborn
London has some great traditional pubs, but the Holborn Whippet goes to show that good drinking doesn’t have to involve dark rooms with brass fittings. This is a tiny place, close to the British Museum and, while it’s stripped back in decor, it definitely doesn’t stint on the drink. They pride themselves on the different craft beers — there’s some good food, too — and it’s a favorite with local workers. In better weather, you’ll see them spilling out of the pub onto Sicilian Avenue outside where there’s not that many better ways to spend a sunny London evening.
Cheers!
About the author
Nice article Frances! I also believe that London has the best pubs and the best nightlife and the best way to enjoy it isto get the best concierge services it can offer. Just a suggestion!
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