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Megathread of London's best historic pubs
The Viaduct Tavern
Popular during public executions opposite former site of Newgate Prison (now Old Bailey.) Has London's last remaining gin booth and cells in the basement. Supposedly haunted.
Popular during public executions opposite former site of Newgate Prison (now Old Bailey.) Has London's last remaining gin booth and cells in the basement. Supposedly haunted.
Ye Olde Mitre
Dates back to 1546 but current structure dates back to 1700s. Queen Elizabeth I danced the maypole around a cherry tree on this site. Pub featured in the film Snatch, around the corner from Ely Place and St Etheldreda's Church (1st Caltholic Church in London)
Dates back to 1546 but current structure dates back to 1700s. Queen Elizabeth I danced the maypole around a cherry tree on this site. Pub featured in the film Snatch, around the corner from Ely Place and St Etheldreda's Church (1st Caltholic Church in London)
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Rebuilt in 1667 allegedly using wood from wrecked Spanish Armada ships. Super dark and cavernous inside, was a favourite haunt of Pepys, Twain and Dylan Thomas. Walking distance to Dr Johnson's House.
Rebuilt in 1667 allegedly using wood from wrecked Spanish Armada ships. Super dark and cavernous inside, was a favourite haunt of Pepys, Twain and Dylan Thomas. Walking distance to Dr Johnson's House.
The Hand & Shears
This is the pub where cutting the ribbon was born. An inn of some sort sat on this site since 11th century but best known for being the centre of a long running cloth fair that ran for about 300 years.
This is the pub where cutting the ribbon was born. An inn of some sort sat on this site since 11th century but best known for being the centre of a long running cloth fair that ran for about 300 years.
The Crown Tavern
Said to be a meeting place of Lenin and Stalin. Based on the same street as the Workers Library (now Marx Library.) Great summer boozer.
Said to be a meeting place of Lenin and Stalin. Based on the same street as the Workers Library (now Marx Library.) Great summer boozer.
The Old Bell & Ye Olde Watling
Both built/rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of 1666. Workshop above The Old Bell began Fleet Street's relationship with the printed press.
*Correction on the video, it's Wynkyn De Woorde not Wynkyn Van Woorde
Both built/rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of 1666. Workshop above The Old Bell began Fleet Street's relationship with the printed press.
*Correction on the video, it's Wynkyn De Woorde not Wynkyn Van Woorde
Dirty Dicks
London's first theme pub. Richard "Dick" Bentley, who stopped bathing after his bride died on their wedding day. Everything he owned was out on show in the pub when he died but was shifted upon rennovation in the 60s
London's first theme pub. Richard "Dick" Bentley, who stopped bathing after his bride died on their wedding day. Everything he owned was out on show in the pub when he died but was shifted upon rennovation in the 60s
The Lamb & Flag
Poet John Dryden was attacked by the Earl of Rochester's goons on this street. Pub was later the site of a load of prize bare-knuckle boxing fights which earned it the name "The Bucket of Blood"
Poet John Dryden was attacked by the Earl of Rochester's goons on this street. Pub was later the site of a load of prize bare-knuckle boxing fights which earned it the name "The Bucket of Blood"
The Prospect of Whitby
London's oldest riverside pub dating back to 1520. Many believe the noose out back is the site of Execution Dock where pirates were hanged, some say it's a tribute to Judge Jeffreys, the hanging judge.
Please forgive the glaring mispronounciation
London's oldest riverside pub dating back to 1520. Many believe the noose out back is the site of Execution Dock where pirates were hanged, some say it's a tribute to Judge Jeffreys, the hanging judge.
Please forgive the glaring mispronounciation
The Globe
Birthplace of the romantic poet John Keates, whose father worked there and later became landlord. Second bar was added years later to commemorate his origin.
Birthplace of the romantic poet John Keates, whose father worked there and later became landlord. Second bar was added years later to commemorate his origin.
The Cockpit
Pub marks the approximate site of where Shakespeare bought a house for £140 in 1613 - just around the corner from former site of Blackfriars Theatre. Pub was mostly used as a cock fighting venue.
Pub marks the approximate site of where Shakespeare bought a house for £140 in 1613 - just around the corner from former site of Blackfriars Theatre. Pub was mostly used as a cock fighting venue.
The Nell Gwynne Tavern
Formerly the Old Bull Inn, Gwyn (actual spelling) drank here when she worked as an orange seller in Covent Garden. She'd later become an actress and mistriss of King Charles II
Formerly the Old Bull Inn, Gwyn (actual spelling) drank here when she worked as an orange seller in Covent Garden. She'd later become an actress and mistriss of King Charles II
The Carpenter's Arms
Formerly owned by the Kray Twins who bought it for their mother. Bar was said to be made of coffin lids. On the same road as Repton Boxing Club and around the corner from the site of their former home "Fort Vallance"
Formerly owned by the Kray Twins who bought it for their mother. Bar was said to be made of coffin lids. On the same road as Repton Boxing Club and around the corner from the site of their former home "Fort Vallance"
Jamaica Wine House
London's first coffee house, established by an immigrant from modern day Greece. Popular with merchants and slave traders working for the East India Company
London's first coffee house, established by an immigrant from modern day Greece. Popular with merchants and slave traders working for the East India Company
The Grenadier
Former officer's mess established in 1700s. Named after a soldier named Cedric who was beaten to death after being caught cheating at cards. Cedric said to haunt the pub so punters pin cash to the ceiling to pay off his debt
Former officer's mess established in 1700s. Named after a soldier named Cedric who was beaten to death after being caught cheating at cards. Cedric said to haunt the pub so punters pin cash to the ceiling to pay off his debt
The John Snow
Snow was a local doctor who discovered that contaminated water was the source of the 1849 Cholera outbreak. Sculpture of the water pump outside the front door marks the spot of the epicentre
Snow was a local doctor who discovered that contaminated water was the source of the 1849 Cholera outbreak. Sculpture of the water pump outside the front door marks the spot of the epicentre
The Mayflower
In 1620 a group of pilgrims boarded a ship of the same name to set sail for America to colonise it. Only pub in the world licensed to sell both UK and US postage stamps
In 1620 a group of pilgrims boarded a ship of the same name to set sail for America to colonise it. Only pub in the world licensed to sell both UK and US postage stamps
