The Malt TravAle Podcast
MalTravAle Podcast Episode 15
In this week’s Episode 15 we get competitive & each pitch our best 3 London pubs (we have all gone North of the river) and there may well be too many Sam Smith pubs discussed, we catch up on beer news & our #CaskIsBack adventures and plan for our live ‘in the flesh’ podcast next week from some of Yorkshire’s finest Spa towns
Mike’s 3 Choices
The Harp Chandos Pl, London WC2N 4HS. Just on the edge of Covent Garden (and close to Sam Smiths Chandos) traditional London boozer – drinkers often spill onto the street – now a Fu7llers house but still retains its tradition of offering a great range of beers
The Queens Larder 1 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AR, heart of Bloomsbury and close to Russel Square. Their own website waxes the QL is a very small and intimate venue, characterised by its nearly private, club-like atmosphere. We dare say it is the cosiest place to have a pint in the neighbourhood, range of beer and good food – if weather good a nice outside area with very little traffic. (Close to Euston, St Panc and Kings X)
The Crown 51 New Oxford Street, Holborn, London, WC1A 1BL can be easily missed with the usual Sam Smiths dictat re minimal exterior signage – so look for the Umbrella shop – 2 entry pub, don’t forget to have a look upstairs if it is open – there is an extensive seating area in a lovely square at the rear under a magnificent tree, also normally (were) serving Sovereign which is becoming a rare bird in Sam’s pubs these days.
Nick’s 3 choices
The Red Lion, Duke of York Street, St James SW1Y 6JP – there are apparently 26 Red Lions in London so get the right one (Bruce and I had our 1st ever London pint in the Red Lion, Westminster (That one use to have a division bell for Parliament just down the road) ) - Fullers Pub What pub describe is @an absolute gem – not to be missed by fans of Victorian Pubs – hence Obadiah Nicholas’s choice. Famous Trumper’s men’s barbers is next door – pub famed for its pies and sausages rolls.
The Lamb, 94 Lamb's Conduit St, London WC1N 3LZ, another Victorian splendour between Holburn and Russell Square, building dates back to the early 1700’s look out for the snob screens, a Youngs Pub did use to house beers from Sharps.
Princess Louise, High Holburn, WC1V 7EP, marble, dark wood and etched windows another Sam Smiths classic London gin palace, had a major, but sensitive, refurbishment in 2007 – gents loos still worth a visit, again try and have a look at the Art Nouveau inspired upstairs room if open
Bruce’s 3 choices
Lyceum Tavern, The Strand, Aldwych WC2R 0HS round the corner from the Theatre of the same name, another Sam Smiths classic – boozy downstairs and a nice lounge upstairs – nice courtyard out the back if weather good.
Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street EC4A 2BU – down a narrow alley off Fleet Street – yes another Sam’s pub, but this one is a bit different with vaulted barrelled ceilings and lots of nooks and crannies – nice real fire in winter again becoming a bit of a rarity in London
Coach & Horses, Greek St, London W1D 5DH – home to racing and press glitterati for many years and famously the haunt of one Mr J Bernard, another Fuller pub with a very retro feel inside – though as any may be drinking outside. Norman the landlord who rule for over 60 years was quite proud of his ‘London’s rudest landlord’ label