How to Find the Best Pubs in London
October 22, 2011 by TravelGuide
Filed under Travel Insurance, Travel Tips
Pubbing forms a great part of the culture of London. The city is known for its varied pubs that are dispersed through every area. Each street has its own specialized pub and reputation.
London has maintained some its old and traditional pubs. There is much history behind these. Among them are The Olde Dolphin Inn, Golden Lion, Duke of Wellington, and Pheasant Inn. In earlier times, these pubs were centers of social life. They were hubs of gaming and cockfighting. Big names from the literary and arts circle were regulars here. Fascinatingly, people often got jobs by hanging around here. All kinds of people came together here and often employers and employees met up. This had led to some amount of fame to these pubs. Many of them have stories behind them and it is interesting to dig them out from the bartenders.
Among the newer ones, the Barrio Central, Red Monkey, Bar Pepito, and White Horse are hailed as the best. While the older pubs pride themselves on being crowded where conversations go round all the time, the newer pubs use the feature of minimalism. They are more spacious and open. In fact, nowadays, one will find nightclubs connected to pubs, thereby changing the old tradition a fair bit. And also, the pubs are no longer purely ‘English.’ The Barrio Central has a lot of Mexico in it and the Red Monkey has Japanese food.
Both the old and new pubs ferment their own ale. Ale is traditional English beer; it is also called Bitter. Other types of beers are Stout, Lager, and Shandy. Wine is now attaining the next status.
If you are a backpacker or a student, a reasonable place to check out is St Christopher’s Village. It is an extension of a chain of budget hostels. It is an energetic pub that draws a lot of young people. There is great food here and usually there are some discounts on them almost every day.
If your budget is tight, there are still several places you can go and have a good time. The Chandos is one such place. It makes its own beer and the prices are affordable. The Court also has a realistically priced menu. Rocket and The Auctioneer are other options.
If it’s a good view you want along with your drinks and food, check out Ice Wharf. You can watch the boats go by as well as see the market that is just nearby.
Happy hours are usually between 5 to 7pm on week days in most pubs. The happy hours at Potion are the best, during 4-9pm all days except the weekend. The menu is priced rather low to begin with; the happy hours reduce it further. There is some great music too.
There are a few rules to remember though, while in an English pub. There are no waiters, you have to go to the bar yourself. If you are with a group, select one person who will go and order for everyone. And the payment is typically in cash. The last rule is that never try to tip your server, buy them a drink instead.
