visualAd

I have not managed to find a thread dedicated to the multitude of great drinking establishments in London. So I am going to create one. Will limit this to 3 of my favourite, favourites otherwise my list will be too long. I am biased towards the city as I work in the area:

- Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (Fleet Street)
- Old Bank of England (Fleet Street)
- The Hoop and Grapes (Aldgate)

Swiss Tony

Whilst this probably isn't entirely without merit, I think you should probably have to add 5-10 words qualifying what makes it a favourite pub.

For me, the thing that marks out my favourite pubs is staff and my fellow patrons - two things that are a lot more variable in the heart of the smoke rather than out in the country.

So, if I had to pick three in London - and with my added qualifier - i'd say...

1) The Lamb in Leadenhall Market - earthy, old school pub, good sandwiches to boot in a wonderful location.
2) Old Doctor Butler's Head - suitably tucked out of the way
3) Gordon's on Villers Street - this went through a phase of being a bit overrun with tourists but it seems to have calmed down again a bit now. No beer mind you - wine only!

JanePond

While not a pub in the traditional sense, the American Bar at the Stafford Hotel in St James has a great staff and pub grub par excellence! It's fun to see the collection of 'memories' sent by adoring patrons. Jacket for men still required. There is also a lovely outside area for those beautiful and sometimes rare English days. Can enter directly off St James, though Blue Ball Court.

Swanhunter

Good thread. ^

* The Harp on Chandos Street. Fabulous beer, a good buzz and pavement to loiter on and watch the world go by. CAMRA regional pub of the year 2011
* Market Porter, Borough Market. Good beer, but the really thing is the area with a mix of visitors, workers, locals. Just avoid in Saturday when it gets a little over-run with Gortex clad tourists from the market
* Windsor Castle, Crawford Place. One of London's quirky pubs with a strong Royal theme and surprisingly good Thai snacks. One to enjoy some local colour, especially if you coincide with the monthly London Handelbar moustache club meet. They even have groupies.

Showbizguru

Most of the pubs mentioned would get a thumbs up from me as well but I'm going for three of some of the terrific new old pubs that have opened recently.

www.holbornwhippet.com
www.masonandtaylor.co.uk
www.thecraftbeerco.com

plon

The Jerusalem Tavern (Clerkenwell) - Great St. Peter's Beers
The Euston Tap (Euston Square) - Tiny Place, but full of great microbrews and nice ales, also has sister pub the Cider Tap across the way
The Three Kings (Clerkenwell) - Good All around boozer.

JohnnyP

The Thomas Cubbitt (Belgravia)
The Orange (Sloane Square/Chelsea)
The Hampshire Hog (Hammersmith)

And, not really a pub, but the Kernel Brewery at Maltby Street market has awesome beers.
http://thekernelbrewery.com/

WC_EEND

I found The College Arms in Store St to be quite good as well.

dodgeflyer

A fellow patron. How nice.

Prefer The Orange to the Cubitt although not keen on the sign that they put up going to LHR.

jerry a. laska

See also the recommendations here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/u-k-i...ght=london+pub

realjd

The Craft Beer Company on Leather Lane. It's currently the highest rated pub in the UK on ratebeer and is currently #21 worldwide. They have a very impressive amount of craft beer.

http://www.ratebeer.com/places/top-rated/

rwoman

theguardian.co.uk: Historic pubs and places to eat in London

The list includes:

The Old Bell (Fleet Street)
The Lamb, Lamb's Conduit Street
The George and Vulture Tavern, Cornhill
Ye Olde Mitre Tavern, Holborn
The Barley Mow, Marylebone
Twining's Tea Shop, the Strand
Simpson's Tavern, Cornhill
Gordon's Wine Bar, Embankment
The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping
The Windsor Castle, Notting Hill

visualAd

The Old Bell is one of my favourites too. There is also ample drinking space outside the back near St Brides Graveyard. You can sometimes here the "bells" of St Brides if you go for a day time lunch there; although a little research suggests that St Brides has had no bells since heavy WW2 bomb damage and it is simply a recording.

adagio

Founders Arms, near Tate Modern, great outdoor space, view of St. Pauls and the Thames.

The Opera Room above The Chandos on William IV St, near the National Gallery. Fireplace is great on a cold, rainy day.

PICA

The Westbourne and The Cow in Bayswater. Good food and the chance to spot the odd local celebrity!