The Literary Pub. 📖
Rebuilt in 1667 after the Great Fire. It is a warren of dark, wood-paneled rooms and sawdust-covered floors. Charles Dickens drank here; you can sit in his favorite chair.
The Cellars
Go deep underground into the stone vaults. It feels like drinking in a medieval dungeon. There is no phone signal.
The Fire
In winter, open coal fires roar in the grates. It is the coziest, smokiest, most atmospheric spot in London.
Churchill Arms. 🌺
The most photographed pub in London. The exterior is completely covered in £25,000 worth of flowers (or Christmas trees in December).
The Interior
Inside, it is packed with Winston Churchill memorabilia. Every inch of ceiling is covered in pots and pans.
The Food
Surprisingly, it was the first pub in London to serve Thai food. The Pad Thai is excellent and spicy.
The Ales
It is a "Fuller's" pub. Order a pint of London Pride. It is the standard-bearer for British bitter ale.
No Service
At The Table
Pub Rules. 📜
You do not wait to be seated. You walk in, find a table (or lean on a shelf), and go to the bar to order.
The Round:
If you are with a group, one person buys drinks for everyone ("getting a round in"). Do not buy just for yourself. It is social suicide.
The Sunday Roast. 🍖
The most important meal of the week. It is hearty, heavy, and designed to make you nap afterwards.
The Components
Roast beef (pink in the middle), roast potatoes (crispy outside, fluffy inside), vegetables, and gravy.
Yorkshire Pudding
A savory batter pudding cooked in hot fat. It rises like a balloon. It is the vessel for the gravy. It is non-negotiable.