Anchor Bankside
The Anchor is an iconic pub in the London Borough of Southwark, specifically in the Bankside area on the south bank of the River Thames. During Shakespeare’s time, this district was the center of theater, and the Thames served as London’s main highway. The Anchor is the only remaining riverside inn from that period, and it used to be a favorite spot for actors from neighboring playhouses such as the Globe, the Swan, and the Rose. It was also where diarist Samuel Pepys witnessed the Great Fire of London in 1666, as he took shelter in “a little alehouse on bankside … and there watched the fire grow.” Sadly, the pub was destroyed by fire because its primary construction material was oak. However, it was rebuilt in 1676 and has undergone several additions over the centuries. The Anchor has a rich history of attracting river pirates and smugglers. During repairs in the early 19th century, a massive oak beam was discovered, revealing cleverly hidden hiding places most likely used to store stolen goods and contraband.
Browns Brasserie & Bar
Coach & Horses Mayfair
The Coach & Horses Mayfair boasts a long and impressive history dating back to 1744, making it the oldest pub in Mayfair. As the only remaining establishment in this esteemed area of London that adheres to traditional pub-keeping, it stands out amidst the designer fashion houses and boutique shops. Locals and tourists flock to this exquisite pub to experience the allure of tradition. The Grade II listed building is a testament to its longevity, retaining its original features, such as cellars and an old-fashioned cold room. The bar exudes charm and character, adorned with rich, dark wood and featuring a delightful fireplace and cozy corners for patrons to unwind.
Dishoom
Granary Square Brasserie
Granary Square Brasserie, an all-day dining haven that opened in December 2017, is located amid the lively bustle of London’s King’s Cross. The restaurant replaced the Grain Store restaurant. It offers a mix of British classics and international cuisine — and vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Great Court Restaurant (British Museum)
The Great Court Restaurant in the British Museum offers a refined dining experience in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere within the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court and beneath the Foster and Partners glass roof in the museum’s Great Court. Its menu includes traditional British and European fare, and afternoon tea is also available. The British Museum was founded in 1753 and opened its doors in 1759.
Greenwich Tavern
Located at 1 King William Walk in Greenwich, London, The Greenwich Tavern is a pub with a deep history. It was previously known by several other names, including the Gloucester Hotel and Gloucester Arms.
Records show that in 1902, the Gloucester Hotel was built on land that previously housed a prison used to confine Protestant prisoners during the reign of Mary I in 1555. Later sources also mention a debtors’ prison in Greenwich in 1812, near a Court of Requests. This term may refer to a law court linked to the nearby Greenwich Royal Palace of Placentia or a small claims court created in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
The current building that houses The Greenwich Tavern dates back to the mid-19th century. In December 1851, a fire was reported at The Gloucester Hotel on the corner of Nevada Street (formerly Silver Street) and King William Street (formerly King Street). The hotel was rebuilt and later transformed into The Gloucester Arms, The Greenwich Park Bar & Grill and, today, The Greenwich Tavern.
Kings Arms
The Kings Arms was built in 1742 and was once known as the Three Jolly Butchers, which is more reflective of its traditional English menu.
Noble Rot
San Carlo Cicchetti
The Argyll Arms
The Argyll Arms dates to 1868, though a pub has apparently stood on the spot since 1740. Designer Robert Sawyer redesigned the Argyll Arms, named after the second Duke of Argyll, in 1895. The Duke lived in a mansion where the London Palladium now stands, and according to legend, a secret tunnel once connected the pub to the Duke’s mansion.
The Clachan
The Clachan dates to 1827 and was originally known as the Bricklayers Arms. It was a favorite haunt of the local police officers and firemen. It was renamed the Clachan in 1897 or 1898. Its name is Gaelic for “meeting place.” The pub was owned by Liberty’s until 1983, when it joined the Nicholson’s pubs.
The Delaunay
The Ginger Pig (Borough Market)
Borough Market in London is the home of The Ginger Pig. Tim Wilson, who farmed his North Yorkshire pasture, producing cattle, sheep, and pigs with a passion for sustaining rare breeds, was asked to join the market’s relaunch in the 1990s. It all started with one man on a butcher’s block with a chopper, preparing chops and roasts by day and sleeping in his van at night. As well as a full raw offering, visitors can buy pork pies, scotch eggs, and famous hot sausage rolls.
The Ivy
Abel Giandolini opened the original Ivy restaurant in 1917 as an unlicensed Italian in the West End. The Ivy has since blossomed into a restaurant popular among celebrities and theatergoers. It has expanded into locations across the United Kingdom and Ireland, known as the Ivy Collection. According to legend, the restaurant’s name originated from a remark actress Alice Delysia made. She overheard Giandolini apologize to a customer for the inconvenience caused by building works. When he said that it was because he intended to create a restaurant, she interjected, “Don’t worry – we will always come and see you. ‘We will cling together like the ivy'”, a line from the then-popular song “Just Like the Ivy I’ll Cling to You.”
The King William IV Pub & Rooms
The Market Porter
The Market Porter was officially established in 1890 during the reign of Queen Victoria. However, there has been a pub on the corner position since at least 1638, and it was apparently renamed The Market Porter in 1890. Why it took the name is open to debate. Previously known as the Harrow, the pub was the site of a grisly 1890 murder.
The Red Lion
The Red Lion pub has a rich and fascinating history, built on the site of an old medieval tavern called the Hopping Hall, dating to 1434. Over the years, the pub changed hands and names several times before the Crown eventually purchased it in 1531.
In later years, the pub was known as The Red Lion and was a popular spot for many notable figures. One of its most famous regulars was the renowned author Charles Dickens, who frequented the pub and praised the kind-hearted landlady who ran it.
Located just a stone’s throw away from Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament, The Red Lion was a popular spot for British Prime Ministers. Every Prime Minister up until Edward Heath in the 1970s visited the pub, including famous names like Sir Winston Churchill and Clement Atlee.
The Shipwrights Arms
The Shipwrights Arms, designed by George Treacher of Treacher and Fisher and constructed in 1884, is now a Grade 2 listed establishment that showcases an original tiled mural depicting the ‘Shipwrights’ working. The pub has been intentionally maintained in a traditional style, featuring a unique central island bar offering an extensive selection of continental lagers and up to six real ales that are “Cask Marque quality assured.”
