The Harp (Covent Garden)
47 Chandos Place, London WC2N 4HS
Good for: A cosy Victorian atmosphere
Not so good for: A big gathering
FYI: Open Monday–Sunday, 11am–11pm; Sunday, noon–11pm Website; Directions
‘One of the true gems in the West End’: The Harp The pub dates from the late 18th century Despite this pub’s central location behind St Martin-in-the-Fields church, a stone’s throw from Trafalgar Square, you could easily miss it, given its narrow frontage with stained-glass windows partially covered with hanging baskets.
But this venue, known as The Welsh Harp until 1995, is one of the true gems of the West End and has a long history going back to the late 18th century.
The characterful central London pub has a loyal clientele . . . . . . and is a worthy multi-time winner of Campaign for Real Ale awards Squeeze past the handful of tables to the bar — above which hundreds of beer mats have been stuck to the wall — and you’ll notice the place is lined with old mirrors, oil paintings, pastel drawings and cartoons. See if you can spot a painting of Elizabeth Taylor and a print of Oscar Wilde.
The pub, owned by Fuller’s, serves an esoteric array of beers and was the first London pub to win the Campaign for Real Ale national pub of the year competition, in 2010. It has also won Camra’s west London pub of the year on no fewer than nine occasions.
Upstairs in The Harp is cosy Georgian-style lounge When we dropped by, there was a pale ale from the East London Brewing Co, Neotropic from the Bristol Beer Factory, Pica Pica oatmeal stout, Hophead by Dark Star and Whispering Grass IPA by Pig & Porter. It doesn’t serve food other than snacks.
There’s a narrow winding staircase lined with yet more paintings that leads up to a Georgian-style lounge room with eight small tables. In the late afternoon, The Harp is often heaving with drinkers who spill on to the pavement outside.
Lamb & Flag (Covent Garden)
33 Rose Street, London WC2E 9EB
Good for: Ye Olde London vibes
Not so good for: Embracing modernity
FYI: Open Monday–Friday, noon–11pm; Saturday, 11am–11pm; Sunday, noon–10.30pmWebsite; Directions
Head to the Lamb & Flag for a hit of ‘Ye Olde London’ nostalgia Tucked away down a side street, the Lamb & Flag oozes history and claims to be the oldest pub in Covent Garden.
Its precise origins are a little unclear. One sign outside the pub says it has served drinks since 1623. Another inside says the earliest recorded use of the premises as an inn comes from 1772, when it was called The Cooper’s Arms.
Either way, a sign above the alley invites the traveller to “rest and refresh yrself” in an “ancient tavern” enjoyed by luminaries such as Charles Dickens and Samuel Butler. Here too, or hereabout, was where the poet John Dryden was almost murdered by rogues hired by the Earl of Rochester in 1679.
Thankfully, long gone are the days when the pub was nicknamed ‘The Bucket of Blood’ because all of the bare-knuckle prize fights held there The owner Fuller’s plays up to these historic origins, with old cartoons and pictures on the walls, which are also festooned with strings of Union Jack flags.
The pub’s reputation for staging bare-knuckle prize fights in the 19th century earned it the nickname “The Bucket of Blood”.
But none of the punters were fighting (with or without gloves) on the day the FT passed through, taking note of a well-stocked bar. Drinks on tap included Seafarers English ale, Dark Star’s Hophead golden ale, Stroud Brewery’s Budding pale ale and Fuller’s Golden Rays ale.
At the bar, there are snacks on offer — not cheap — including chicken and chorizo bites, truffled mac and cheese croquettes, and crispy squid. Upstairs in the restaurant, there is also a regular menu of main courses including sausages, beef burger, pie of the day and fish and chips.
The Cask & Glass (Victoria)
39–41 Palace Street, London SW1 5HN
Good for: A swift after-work pint
Not so good for: Big gatherings
FYI: Open Monday, noon–10pm; Tuesday–Friday, noon–11pm; Saturday, noon–8pmWebsite; Directions
The Cask & Glass’s petite proportions mean the action often spills outside (weather permitting) © Marco KesselerIf The Cask & Glass isn’t the smallest pub in London — which is the owner’s claim — then it’s hard to imagine an even tinier rival. With only a single bar and a handful of chairs, The C&G has the feel of a private living room.
This local is Victorian in more than one way: first opened in 1862, it’s also not far from the eponymous train station.
It is the epitome of a no-frills pub, with no obvious pretensions at greatness. This, of course, is the secret of its charm. Sometimes less is more.
Pint-sized: the pub is said to be the smallest in London The Cask has carefully tended flower boxes festooning its black-painted exterior in the summer and is just around the corner from Buckingham Palace — although it is very much not on the tourist trail. The pub was originally called the Duke of Cambridge but changed its name in 1962.
On a shelf overhead there are historic empty bottles of Shepherd Neame ales such as Early Bird and Bonnie Brown Ale. The walls are decorated with pictures, including sketches of Victorian-looking gentlemen. Look out for the bull’s-eye windows.
Drinks on tap when we visited included Whitstable Bay’s blonde lager, Bear Island’s East Coast pale ale, Orchard View cider, Moretti and Guinness.
The basic food offering consists of toasted sandwiches and tortilla chips.
Admiral Duncan (Soho)
54 Old Compton Street, London W1D 4UD
Good for: Late-night karaoke fans
Not so good for: Real-ale aficionados
FYI: Open Monday–Thursday, 1pm–11.30pm; Friday–Saturday, noon–midnight; Sunday, noon–10.30pm Website; Follow Google News
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