CITY OF LONDON

Warning-- a lot of pubs in the city of London are closed at the weekend due to the fact, that the offices whose staff they depend upon for trade are usually closed.

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LONDON EC1

Artillery Arms, 102 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8ND

Owner- Fullers

Beers- Fullers Discovery, Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB, Gales HSB

Telephone- 020-7253-4683

Pub on the edge of the City Of London, where the housing area begins ( hence the regular hours ). Near to Bunhill Burial Ground and a military barracks ( hence the name) giving it a back-street local feel. Inside is a lot of wood panelling, bare brickwork and brewery mirrors giving the place a nice cosy atmosphere. Good pint in a underrated pub . London pride was £2.90 a pint.

John 9/10 visit August 2009

A more 'inhabited' area. Fortunately-the concrete jungle is less obvious here, and there are some locals in the pub! Pretty stained glass screened dividers and cider jugs over bar area. A small pub that could get quite crowded, I imagine. Carnations on window ledge added a nice touch. Nice 'brickwork' walls with mirrors.

Sue 7.5/10 visit Feb 1993

Next to Bunhill fields burial ground. Central bar, wood, screens and upstairs function room. Near the Barbican.

Stuart 8/10 visit Aug 2001

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Butchers, Hook and Cleaver, 61-63 West Smithfield, London EC1A 9DY

Owners- Fullers

Beers- Fullers Discovery, Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB, Gales HSB

Telephone-020-7600-9181

Pub near Smithfield Meat Market which seems to give it a lively atmosphere. Recently built pub with tiled floor, wood panelling and spiral staircase Beers were well-kept at the time of visit. Nice Place. London Pride was £3.30 a pint.

John 8.5/10 visit August 2009

Modern, Fullers Ale and Pie pub. Big projection screen, semicircular bar, spiral staircase to upper level.

Stuart 8/10 visit Aug 2001

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Craft Beer Co, 82 Leather Lane, London EC1N 7TR..

Owner- Free House

Beers- 16 real ales on draught, 21 authentic keg beers from Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the USA plus a bottled beer menu from around the world.

Telephone -020-7460-1123

Web site- http://www.thecraftbeerco.com/

Opened on 28/06/11, this former Greene King pub called the Clock House has been refurnished and is offering one of the best selections in London of beers from the UK and around the world. Décor on the ground floor is white walls and ceiling, mirrors and chandeliers. All of the seats are bar stools. There are 16 real ales on draught from micros all over the country, making this a beer tickers dream. The prices for the two real ales I had were £3.40 and £3.75 a pint. An impressive of draught beers from Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the US are priced at a very unreasonable £3.95 a half pint! Making a pint here one of the most expensive in London! The bottled beer list is just as expensive, so stick to the real ales. Good atmosphere at the time of visit. Opens 1100 to 2300 hours Monday to Saturday.

John 9/10 visit July 2011

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Crown Tavern, 43 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0EG

Owner- Free House

Beers- Fullers London Pride, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Bateman Miss Australia. Various overseas bottled beers including Anchor Steam. Plus 20 ciders on draught and in bottles.

Telephone- 020-7253-4973

Web site http://thecrowntavernec1.co.uk/

Victorian pub with connection to the Apollo Music Hall. Large drinking area outside and inside the pub are different drinking areas The back part is cosy with wood screens, mirrors and old posters. The pub has a modern style, but the décor is traditional. Improved beer choice still last visit with a good range of overseas beers and ciders. Bateman Miss Australia was £3.20 a pint.

John 8/10 visit August 2009

There are caverns underneath the pub - connecting the courts with the place of detention. Paintings of shows. Big outside seating area. Mahogany, semicircular bar. Glass screens and dark green ceiling.

Stuart 8/10 visit Aug 2001

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Dovetail, 9 Jerusalem Passage, London, EC1V 4JP

Owner- Free House

Beers-No real ale but over 100 Belgium bottled beers on the beer menu

Telephone-020-7490-7321

Web site http://www.belgianbars.com/

Bright lighting in this modern style bar, with Bishops style seats. Not as cosy as the one in Hackney, but the same beer menu will kept the serious drinker happy. No longer has a downstairs drinking area. A small, but interesting food menu.

John 8/10 visit August 2009

A clone of the one in Hackney. Not as intimate, no real ales but a load of Belgian beers. A dark downstairs area as well.

Stuart 8.5/10 visit Aug 2001

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Jerusalem Tavern, 55 Britton Street, London EC1M 5UQ

Owner- St Peters

Beers- St Peters Mild, Best Bitter, Organic Best Bitter, Organic Ale, Ruby Red . Taddington lager on draught.

Telephone- 020-7450-4281

Web site http://www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk/london/default.htm

While the building is 18^th century, it's hard to believe that this has only been a pub since 1996. You feel like it's been like this for centuries, with its wooden seats, bare boards and raised little room at the back. Well done to St Peters for creating a pub of such character. The pub is on the small side; I wouldn't say the pub gets crowded, but sometimes it is not easy to stand, let alone sit! Beer is reasonably priced for a city pub! St Peters mild was £2.90 a pint.

John 9/10 visit August 2009

An Eighteenth Century coffee house in 21^st Century London! They have done a really good job here. The showcase pub for St Peters brewery in London. Black wood panelling, candles, fresh bread, and cheese for lunch! Ah…. all the St Peter beers on tap.

Stuart 9/10 visit August 2001

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Olde Mitre Tavern, Ely Court, 9 Ely Place, London EC1N 6SJ

Owner- Fullers

Beers- Fullers Discovery, London Pride, Gales Seafarers, Adnams Broadside, Deuchars IPA, O’Hanlon Yellow Hammer.

Telephone- 020-7405-4751

Web site http://www.pub-explorer.com/gtlondon/pub/yeoldemitrelondonec1n.htm

A gem. One of the oldest pubs in London; built in 1546, this small two-bar pub is not easy to find, but well worth the effort. Some nice wood paneling adds to the charm and atmosphere of this place. A nice antidote to the modern world, as all good pubs should be. To find this pub there is a courtyard between 8 and 9 Hatton Garden. Can get busy with lunch time drinkers; visit after 15-00.Now own by Fullers with 3 of the 6 real ales on draught are guest beers. Only opens one weekend a year, the weekend of the Great British Beer Festival. Adnams Broadside was £3.10 a pint.

John 9/10 visit August 2009

Down a side alley - iron bar splits the alley into two. Wood panelled. 500 years old. Small bar with 3 handpumps. Old prints adorn the walls.

Stuart 8.5/10 Aug 2001

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Old Red Theatre pub, 418 St John Street, London EC1V 4NJ

Owner-Free House

Beers- Fullers London Pride, Greene King Abbot, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Harveys Sussex Bitter, Hop Back Crop Circle.

Telephone-020-7837-7816

Web Site- http://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/

While this pub is in a city of London postcode, it is very close to Islington which means it is open at the weekend. The décor includes a etched-glass window entrance, red carpet and white ceiling. Nice traditional feel to the place, very un-yuppie for Islington even if it does have a fringe theatre upstairs-leaflets on tables of forthcoming events. Good friendly bar service. Former the Old Red Lion. Harveys Sussex Bitter was £3.00 a pint.

John 8/10 visit August 2009

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Worth a try

Viaduct Tavern, 126 Newgate Street, London EC1A 7AA. This is a small, but lovely Victorian gin palace pub own by Fullers. A few seats but it is mainly a city stand up pub. The pub is about 400 yards from Holburn Viaduct! No ESB at this Fullers pub!!.

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LONDON EC2

Hamilton Hall, Liverpool Street, London EC2M 7PY

Owner- Wetherspoon

Telephone- 020-7247-3579

Beers- Fullers London Pride, Greene King IPA, Abbot, Ruddles Best Bitter. Guest beers Wickover Ruby, Blindmans Siberia,Jennings Snecklifter, Adnams Biiter, Gunhill, and Old Ale plus overseas bottled beers

This pub used to be the grand ballroom of the Great Eastern Hotel at Liverpool Street Station. After years of being unused, the Wetherspoon organisation were given permission to turn the room into a pub. They have done a magnificent job restoring the place to its former glory. While it is a grand place it also has a pubby feel to it. Wonderful ceiling, lighting and large antique painting on the wall. Upstairs is not as crowded as downstairs. Guest beers are £2.60. Very popular place from 17-00 on a weekday.

John 8.5/10 visit Jan 2011

A really handy hostelry right in Liverpool St. Station. Large interior and very high ceilings. Supplying the normal Wetherspoon range.

Stuart 8/10 visit Sept 1999

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Worth a try

Old Doctor Butler’s Head, 2 Masons Avenue, London EC2V 5BT. A traditional Shepherd Neame pub which was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London in 1667. Down a alleyway between Basinghall Street and Coleman Street. Soak in the history.

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LONDON EC3

Counting House, 50 Cornhill, London EC3V 3PD.

Owner- Fullers

Beers- Fullers Discovery, Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB. IPA

Telephone 020-7283-7123

A very impressive conversion from a bank to a pub in 1998 by Fullers, so much so it won a city heritage award. The building is a grade two listed building. With a glass dome, chandeliers, marble walls and mirrors all add to a feeling of drinking granduer. If crowded there's a balcony upstairs to look down on everyone. A pint of London Pride is £3.30.

John 8.5/10 visit Sept 2009

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Cock and Woolpack, Finch Lane, London EC3V 3NA

Owner- Shepherd Neame

Beers- Shepherd Neame Early Bird, Bishops Figure, Spitfire, Invictor Ale.

Telephone-020-7626-4799

This is a small traditional Shepherd Neame pub in the heart of the city, between Threadneddle Street and Cornhill two busy roads, but in a quiet world of its own. Décor is mainly wooden panelling with photos and mirrors on the wall. At the time of visit the pub had a cosy atmosphere. A pint of Spitfire was £3.30 a pint.

John 8/10 visit Sept 2009.

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Cross Keys, 9 Gracechurch Street, London EC3Y 0DR

Owner-Wetherspoon

Beers- Marstons Pedigree, Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best Bitter. Guest beers-Nelsons Press Gang, Loose Cannon, Jack Knife, Baggywrinkle, Oakham Mompesson Gold, Butcombe Bitter, Batemans Combined Harvest. Various overseas bottled beers.

Telephone-020-7623-4824

Wetherspoons pub with 11 real ales, 8 of them guest beers from micros. Served from 4 banks of handpumps around a island bar. The real ale beers and their prices are on a screen above the bar. Large pub with lots of seating but the place was still very full. I am not sure what the building was before Wetherspoon took it over, but it's very impressive with marble columns, walls and white ceiling. Guest beers were £2.35 a pint, a bargain for the City of London. A good drinking experience.

John 9/10 visit Sept 2009

Large new Wetherspoons pub, right near the bank of England. We visited on a Friday lunchtime afternoon. The workers had not returned to work! Great pub full of different real ales (including Skinners from Cornwall). Loads of seating…….. Island bar in the middle.

Stuart 8.5/10 visit March 2001

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Hoop and Grapes, 47 Aldgate High Street, London EC3N 1AL

Owner Free House

Beers-Fullers London Pride, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Sharp’s Doombar, St Austell Tribute

Telephone-0207-7480-5739

Web site http://www.classicpubs.co.uk/thehoopandgrapesaldgatelondon/

Says its probably the oldest pub in London. It did survive the great fire of London in 1666, but no one is sure of the history before that. A nice renovation was done on this pub in the 1980s with lots of wood, wood and more wood to give the pub a lovely traditional feel; but food now takes up a fair bit of space. Long narrow pub with less choice of beers than there used to be, but the beer is good. Pub is on the outskirts of the city of London and is close to Petticoat Lane Market. Reasonably priced food menu, with the choice of standard or large sized meals. London Pride was £2.50 a pint, the rest of the real ales were £2.90 a pint. Good to see the prices on the handpump. Ale tasting sessions every Thursday at 2000 hours.

John 9/10 visit Sept 2009

My second visit here. I remember the conservatory area at the back. This pub is right by Aldgate tube on the opposite side of the High Street. Narrow front seating area but it widens out at the back with the bar to the left. This old building sits uncomfortably opposite a 1980's office block.

Stuart 8/10 May 2002

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Hung, Drawn and Quartered, 26/27 Great Tower Street, London EC3R 5AQ

Owner- Fullers

Beers- Fullers Discovery, Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB, IPA

Telephone-020-7626-6123

Pub close to the Tower of London as you might have guessed by the name. Marble columns, big panelled wooden chairs, old prints and chandeliers make for a cosy atmosphere with tourist and city worker alike. Not a lot of seats available. Reasonably priced meal with all meals under £6. London pride was £3.05 a pint.

John 8/10 visit Sept 2009

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Lamb Tavern, 10-12 Leadenhall Market, London EC3V 1LR

Owner- Youngs

Beers-Young’s Bitter, Special Bitter.

Web Site- www.thelambtavern.co.uk

Telephone-020-7626-2454

Leadenhall market is a marvellous covered market in which the Lamb Tavern is situated. The Lamb is a traditional old city stand-up boozer; it can get a little crowded. If you want a seat your best bet is to go up the spiral staircase to the upstairs bar, where you can look at the punters below. Everything about this pub is nicely understated, except the pub windows which are very impressive. The wine list has bottles of wine for £48 and Burt Champagne for £140- must be for the bankers in the nearby Lloyds Building!! Young’s Special Bitter was £3.18 a pint.

John 8.5/10 visit Sept 2009

John Wayne had a fight here in the early 70's. (He was in the film Brannigan). This pub is situated right inside the market. It has a more yuppiefied clientele now as the traders have gone up market. Large windows overlook the market area, which now has restaurants specialising in Cambodian food and designer clothes. Don’t expect to find a seat downstairs as it's normally very busy. Upstairs there is a smaller seating area accessed by a spiral staircase. This was empty, as most people congregate downstairs around the bar.

Stuart 8/10 visit March 2001

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Old Tea Warehouse, Cree Church Building, 4/8 Creechurch Lane, London EC3A 5AY

Owner- Greene King

Beers-Greene King IPA, Abbott, Morland Old Speckled Hen, Royal London

Telephone-020-7621-1913

Web site http://www.oldteawarehouse.co.uk/

A nice conversion of a old tea warehouse into a pub, with lots of different places to drink in. Lots of wood all round the place including wooden floors, walls, chairs and tables. Various tea memorabilia on the walls, which makes a change from the beer ones. If busy try the downstairs room on the way to the toilets. Royal London was £3.25 a pint. Good bar service.

John 8.5/10 visit Sept 2009

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Worth a try

Lowlander, 20 Creechurch Lane, London EC3A 5AY. Sister pub of the Lowlander in Convent Garden. Same range of Dutch and Belgian beers and same expensive prices. Down the road from the old Tea Warehouse ( see above )

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LONDON EC4

Banker, Cousin Lane, London EC4R 3TE

Owner- Fullers

Beers- Fullers Discovery, Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB, IPA

Telephone-020-7283-5206

A large modern pub under the railway arches near Cannon Street Station. Pub has a sort of basement feel to it, but the end of the pub does overlook the River Thames. Different raised drinking areas and alcoves make this an interesting pub to drink in. A pint of London Pride was £3.05.

John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2009

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Blackfriar, 174 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4EG

Owner- Free House

Beers- Fullers London Pride, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Everards Tiger, Wells Bombardier, Daleside Autumn Leaves, Newmans Wolves Ale, Sambrooks Wandle Ale. Erdinger and Amstel on draught.

Telephone-020-7236-5474

Narrow pub on a street corner, the outside looks impressive if you stand well back on the road to take it in. Inside is more impressive, with bronze plaques of friar monks above the seating area and all round the pub. Marble columns and nice mirrors add to the place; sit back with a pint and enjoy the craftsmanship. A pint of London Pride was £2.50, other real ales are £2.90.

John 9.5/10 visit Oct 2009

Spectacular architectually. Set on a corner by Blackfriars Bridge. Its very different inside. Ornate decoration in 'marble' with monks cast in relief and inscriptions. At the rear is an intimate snug. This pub serves good beer and is near the river.

Stuart 9/10 visit March 2001

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Old Bank of England, 194 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2LT

Owner- Fullers

Beers- Fullers Discovery, Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB

Telephone-020-7430-2255

A large pub with a lot of character, in what used to be The Bank of England until it became a building society in 1976, then it opened as a Fullers pub in 1994. Lots of wood, marble, separate rooms and alcoves. There's an upper floor if it's crowded on the ground floor, where you can look down on people getting their drinks. London Pride was £3.30 a pint.

John 9/10 visit Oct 2009

When I last visited there was a heatwave and we were grateful for the air conditioning. Much better use for this building. Who needs another Bank of England anyway? Big inside with a large central bar. Typically good Fullers beers served.

Stuart 8/10 visit July 1998

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Rising Sun, 61 Carter Lane, London EC4V 5DY

Owner- Free House

Beers- Fullers London Pride, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Young’s Bitter

Telephone-020-7248-4544

A small basic city pub down a back street. Wooden floorboards, seating around the side, and white ceiling and walls. Some nice old beer posters on the walls, as well as on the way to the loo. Nice homely feel to the place which is lacking in some City of London pubs. London Pride was £3.20 a pint

John 8/10 visit Oct 2009

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Ye Olde London 42 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7DE

Owner- Free House

Beers Fullers London Pride, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Caledonian Blueberry Trail, Sharp’s Doombar.

Telephone- 020-7248-1852

First go to the downstairs bar, it has 6 real ales- the ground floor only has two. Also the décor is nicer. Low ceiling, low lighting, bar stools and leather seats give this pub a nice feel. Food menu is not unreasonable; the main meals look better value than the starters and sandwiches, in my opinion. The beer was in good form. The pub has a small beer garden/patio. The etched glass front windows are still bearing the William Younger name. Nice find. A pint of Doombar was £3.17 a pint.

John 8/10 visit Oct 2009

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Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Wine Office Court, 145 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BU

Owners-Sam Smiths

Beers- Sam Smiths OBB

Web site http://www.yeoldecheshirecheese.com/

Telephone- 020-7353-6170

Famous old city pub with a big literary connection including Dr Johnson, Thackeray , Dickens, Conan-Doyle ( to name just a few ), not to mention journalists from the days when Fleet Street was the centre of the British newspaper industry. Bare boards and sawdust add to the charm as well as lots of different rooms and alcoves, so have a good look around before you choose somewhere to sit. The back has some nice old photos. An lovely unspoilt pub. OBB was £1.90 a pint.

John 9.5/10 Oct 2009

Wonderful historic pub. Many floors with nooks and crannies. It was in its hayday when Fleet Street was the centre of the newspaper publishing world. Black beams, small bars. Tourists love this place!

Stuart 9.5/10 visit March 1999

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The Castle, 26 Furnival Street, London EC4A 1JS.

Owner- Free House

Beers - 8 real ales which are ever changing. Erdinger on draught.

Small traditional pub in lawyer land! Old stand-up pub with the bar stools around the window. Nice frontage with hanging baskets. The sign above the door says 1541; good to see its survival with the modern buildings surrounding the pub. There are 8 real ales from regional or micro breweries which are on the blackboard next to the bar, along with the forthcoming beers. The beer range is ever-changing. Food is sourced from Smithfield or Borough markets; the menu is mainly snacks and no meal is over £6. Vale King Ludd was £3.10 a pint.

John 8.5/10 Oct 2009

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