| A city as culturally rich and diverse as London is | | | | is a series of triangular coal fires that keep it nice and |
| bound to have a great number of historical pubs and | | | | cosy during the winter. Some find the interior a little |
| buildings sprinkled throughout its centre, from the | | | | too standardized and manufactured. Usually full of |
| East End alleyways to Oxford Circus. And with real | | | | office workers during the day and early evening. |
| ale breweries still standing tall against the tyranny of | | | | (Mon-Sat 11.00-23.00, 22 High Holborn, nearest tube |
| fizzy lager and alcopops, there's never been a better | | | | Chancery Lane) |
| time to sample the delights of Ye Olde London. But | | | | Princess Louise |
| with so many establishments going for that 'authentic' | | | | The interior of the Princess Louise, unlike many of its |
| look, how can one distinguish the genuine from the | | | | competitors, has been left pretty much intact from |
| impostors? With this small guide, that's how. Of | | | | a, then modern, refurbishment back in 1891. Richly |
| course, there are too many good old fashioned ale | | | | furnished in Victorian glasswork and ornate |
| houses to possibly mention, so here's a shortlist of | | | | plasterwork and tiling, this bar is understandably one |
| my favourites in no particular order. All of these | | | | of the most popular historical pubs in London, and |
| alehouses can be visited in a single day. I'll try to | | | | appeals to a very mixed crowd. |
| keep the history lessons to a minimum. | | | | (Mon-Fri 11.00-23.00, Sat 12.00-23.00, 208-9 High |
| The Black Friar | | | | Holborn nearest tube Holborn) |
| The Friar is a most peculiar tall wedge-shaped oddity, | | | | Punch Tavern |
| largely famous for the statue of a laughing monk | | | | As much a restaurant as a pub, this recently |
| that hangs above the main door. This delightfully | | | | refurbished bar may seem a little too modern for |
| bizarre Victorian building, built upon the site of a 13th | | | | some tastes. A good place to stop off at for some |
| century Dominican priory is host to an even more | | | | decent quality food at a reasonable price. Situated |
| elaborate interior, decked out with illustrations and | | | | along Fleet Street, the punch is an easy find, and can |
| bronze reliefs of monks, and brilliant stained glass. | | | | get very busy. |
| (Mon-Sat 11.30-23.00, Sun 12-22.30, nearest tube | | | | (Mon-Fri 11.30-23.00, Sat 11.30-18.00, Sun |
| Blackfriars) | | | | 12-15.00&19.00-22.30, 99 Fleet Street, nearest |
| Old Cheshire Cheese | | | | tube Blackfriars) |
| Entering the Old Cheshire Cheese is like walking | | | | Salisbury |
| through the wardrobe into Narnia. Best avoided by | | | | The Salisbury's lavish light fittings and etched glass |
| those suffering from claustrophobia, or the freakishly | | | | interior really come to life when lit up in the evening, |
| tall, it is easy to get lost in this dimly lit, low level | | | | as does the pub itself which is bustling from the late |
| maze of various rooms and restaurants. A cosy open | | | | afternoon onwards. During the day it is more of a |
| fire greets visitors into a room that has been host to | | | | quiet restaurant. Filled with nymphs and cherubs, this |
| the likes of Charles Dickens and Samuel Johnson. | | | | is one of the better traditional style Soho bars. |
| (Mon-Sat 11.30-23.00, Sun, 12-15.00, Wine Office | | | | (Mon-Sat 11.00-22.30, Sun 12.00-23.00, 90 St Martins |
| Court near Fleet Street, nearest tube Blackfriars) | | | | Lane, nearest tube Leicester Square) |
| Seven Stars | | | | Dog & Duck |
| One of the few buildings on this list to have survived | | | | A very small little Soho pub, the Dog & Duck |
| the Great Fire of London, the Seven Stars is a | | | | attracts big street crowds during the warmer |
| surreal, narrow little bar is usually packed with | | | | seasons. Covered wall to wall in original Victorian tiles |
| lawyers and the likes. The meals, though relatively | | | | and mirrors the interior is a sight to see, if you |
| pricey, are as good and plentiful as pub food can | | | | manage to squeeze in that far. |
| possibly get. Rather cramped, but all the more | | | | (Mon-Fri 12.00-23.00, Sat 18.00-23.00, Sun 19.00-22.30, |
| atmospheric for it, the pub is smothered in antiquities | | | | Frith St/ Bateman Street, nearest tube Tottenham |
| and old artwork. The Seven Stars most unusual | | | | Court Rd) |
| regular is Tom Paine, a large black cat in a white | | | | Lamb & Flag |
| ruffled collar who sits atop the bar like he owns the | | | | Just off from Covent Garden, the Lamb & Flag |
| joint. I wouldn't mess with him. | | | | is a popular pub and lunchtime restaurant. Has a |
| (Mon-Sat 11.00-23.00, Carey Street nr Lincoln's inn | | | | slightly standardized feel to it and does tend to pull in |
| fields nearest tube Holborn) | | | | the tourists due to its location, but is slightly more |
| Ye Olde Mitre | | | | spacious than many other historical alehouses. Nicely |
| Discreetly tucked away in a small alley just off Ely | | | | tucked away from the tourist ridden Covent |
| Place, this Elizabethan alehouse has an old-world feel | | | | Gardens, the Lamb 7 Flag is a good place for a |
| like no other, with both the exterior and exterior of | | | | breather. |
| the pub left mostly intact. The bar staff, decked in | | | | (Mon-Thurs11.00-23.00, Fri-Sat 11.00-22.45, Sun |
| traditional attire, bow ties and aprons are the | | | | 12.00-22.30, 33 Rose St, nearest tube Covent |
| friendliest around. Despite its location and size, the | | | | Garden) |
| Mitre does get very busy, so expect to stand. Men, | | | | Argyll Arms |
| be prepared to queue for the single toilet cubicle | | | | This Victorian pub is still divided into three sections, |
| outside, though there is a woman's restroom inside. | | | | still unchanged from the days of class separation, and |
| (Mon-Fri 11.00-23.00, Ely Court, Ely Place, nearest tube | | | | is one of the few places to have kept such an |
| Chancery Lane) | | | | interior intact. These carved wooden partitions, with |
| Cittie of York | | | | decorative interior windows are indeed stunning, but |
| The Cittie was demolished and rebuilt in 1890 though | | | | can make the place seemed cramped during its busy |
| parts of the original building still remain, and the cellar | | | | hours, which is pretty much all day long. |
| has been converted into a quirky, if somewhat white, | | | | (Mon-Sat 11.00-23.00, Sun 12.00-21. |
| downstairs bar. A good place for a quick lunch, there | | | | |
