Itโs laborious to beat a superb pub. These communal residing rooms might be discovered on excessive streets and facet streets all through London, and so theyโre a few of my favourite locations to spend time with mates. Whether or not we go to a contemporary gastropub or an inn with wealthy historical past, townโs watering holes are at all times a deal with. Iโve hung out discovering the highest ones over time, and right this moment Iโm going to share my information to the very best pubs in Clerkenwell with you. Learn on for an inventory of my go-to locations on this a part of central London. Iโve included an interactive map as properly.
Clerkenwell Pubs
Clerkenwell is considered one of my favourite locations in London. The realm manages to strike a steadiness between being central and being native, and Iโve been coming right here since I moved to the UK capital.
In so doing Iโve frequented a superb variety of pubs. Theyโre a few of the finest locations within the neighborhood, and the highest ones are price coming again to repeatedly.
Whether or not Iโm right here to spend a heat afternoon at an out of doors desk, a chilly night cozying up in a wood-paneled room, or a Sunday lunch having fun with a roast, thereโs at all times one thing to tempt me to spend time within the pubs on this a part of town middle.
Which is to say Iโve come to know a good few Clerkenwell pubs since shifting to London (it helps that I’ve loads of native mates who dwell within the space). At the moment I wish to let you know about my favorites.
Whether or not youโre after conventional British fare or traditional English drinks, otherwise you wish to discover Clerkenwell pubs which are historic or ones with worldwide model, this space has you sorted.
Every pub on my listing is price a devoted journey in its personal proper, however you’ll be able to see a number of in a single go to by occurring my free self-guided Clerkenwell strolling tour. Itโs a good way to find the neighborhood and cease for meals and drinks as you discover.
If you wish to have sufficient time to provide every pub its due, thereโs a variety of good lodging on this a part of central London. My prime choose is The Rookery. This Georgian boutique lodge is in a fantastic location close to Farringdon station, and itโs considered one of my favourite quirky resorts in London. You’ll be able to ebook a room right here.
You’ll be able to see different choices for locations to remain and ebook one right here, too. And if you wish to name a pub home-away-from-home, you’ll be able to check out my information to the very best pubs with rooms in London (it mentions a pair locations on this listing!).
1. The Fox & Anchor
Iโll begin my listing of the very best pubs in Clerkenwell with the Fox and Anchor. Situated simply off Charterhouse Sq., this place encompasses a slim entrance room with an extended bar, a number of darkish wooden, and loads of Victorian particulars.
Behind it youโll discover a warren of historic wood-paneled areas the place you’ll be able to cover away for a night. The pub is a superb place if you wish to immerse your self in all issues historically British. It does good fish and chips, too.
The Fox & Anchor has visitor rooms upstairs. Theyโre cozy and stylishly adorned. Iโve loved a fantastic keep right here, and itโs considered one of my prime picks for distinctive lodging in London. If you wish to comply with in my footsteps, you’ll be able to ebook a room right here.
2. The Eagle
Subsequent on my listing of the very best Clerkenwell pubs is The Eagle. This watering gap on Farringdon Highway is understood for being the UKโs first gastropub.
Again in 1991, The Eagle began serving good meals as a substitute of the same old uninspiring pub fare. It sparked a culinary revolution that almost all of us now take with no consideration. The delicacies continues to impress, and the ambiance is at all times buzzing.
Inside, this conventional British pub has a comfortable eating room with rustic picket furnishings and plenty of pure mild. There are tables exterior if you wish to get pleasure from meals or drinks al fresco, too.
3. Outdated Pink Cow
The Outdated Pink Cow is one other of my prime picks for pubs in Clerkenwell. Situated on Lengthy Lane, this Victorian quantity encompasses a easy split-level inside.
The Outdated Pink Cow is a pub loverโs pub. With few frills and little ornamentation, it focuses on good meals and drinks.
This place serves traditional British pub meals, together with fish and chips, hearty pies, and conventional Sunday roasts. Itโs additionally identified for its vary of craft beers, each on draft and in bottles.
4. The George & Monkey
The George & Monkey is one other of my favourite pubs in Clerkenwell. Situated on fairly Amwell Road, this conventional unbiased London watering gap is a superb place to get into the realmโs neighborhood spirit.
A nook pub, it encompasses a brick facade with eye-catching signage. Colourful awnings shade outside tables which are good for sunny afternoons.
Inside, The George & Monkey encompasses a traditional pub ambiance with a superb craft beer menu and a powerful wine listing. Be certain to reach hungry, because the kitchen serves nice stone-baked pizzas.
5. Craft Beer Co.
Subsequent on my listing is the Craft Beer Co. Situated on Leather-based Lane, this place is all about, properly, beer. From micro-brewed cask ales to small-batch craft beers and a whole lot of bottles from all around the world, it has your inside hops lover coated.
The Craft Beer Co. was based in Clerkenwell in 2011 by two London college mates. When the pub opened, it had probably the most beer faucets within the UK (it was overtaken by their Covent Backyard department in 2014). It nonetheless performs host to a few of the finest breweries throughout the globe.
The inside of the pub is understood for its distinctive glass ceiling and gorgeous chandelier. Whereas sipping a pint in these historic environment, you’ll be able to tuck into sharing platters, pies, Scotch eggs, and different snacks.
6. The Outdated China Hand
On Tysoe Road, the Outdated China Hand is one other well-known pub in Clerkenwell. Grade II-listed, this place is just not solely steeped in historical past, but additionally well-known for being the one pub within the UK that serves an all-British drinks menu.
With a comfortable, chill ambiance, the low-lit pub with its easy inside is a superb place to get pleasure from a spherical of drinks with mates. If itโs good climate, you’ll be able to head outdoor to one of many pubโs iconic barrel tables.
The Outdated China Hand can also be identified for having ping pong, darts, and quite a lot of board video games. Itโs a fantastic place to come back if you’d like some leisure to go along with your drinks (they donโt serve meals right here, however you’ll be able to deliver your individual).
7. Clerk & Nicely
Subsequent on my listing is The Clerk & Nicely. Conveniently positioned on Clerkenwell Highway close to Farringdon station, itโs a fantastic place to get pleasure from meals and drinks should youโre in search of someplace central.
The Clerk & Nicely claims to be one of many oldest pubs in central London. Refurbished in up to date model, it has a contemporary ambiance and nice ambiance.
There are rooms you’ll be able to keep in, too. Every one is uniquely adorned, and so they all have nice particulars. You’ll be able to ebook a keep right here.
8. Hand & Shears
On Center Road close to Barbican station, the Hand & Shears is one other of Clerkenwellโs finest watering holes. A uncommon Grade 1-listed pub, this conventional spot is understood for the whole lot from its traditional exterior to its choice of actual ales and craft beers.
Established in 1532, the Hand & Shears is now housed in a Victorian constructing from the nineteenth century. Exterior youโll see a brick facade with an enormous signal that reads โfinal ales earlier than Newgate public executionsโ, a nod to the realmโs grim previous.
The dark-wood inside is on the Marketing campaign for Actual Aleโs Nationwide Stock of Historic Pub Interiors. Whereas inside, you’ll be able to get pleasure from award-winning pork pies and a spread of different meals and drinks.
9. The Exmouth Arms
Within the coronary heart of Exmouth Market, The Exmouth Arms is one other of the very best pubs in Clerkenwell. The intense inexperienced tiled exterior of this Victorian quantity is tough to overlook.
As soon as in right here, youโll uncover a spread of craft beers, actual ales, and pub meals to get pleasure from (the burgers are their signature dish).
However what I actually love about this place is its outside scene. On heat days, the realm across the pub will get full of folks having fun with drinks within the sunshine. Itโs a fantastic vibe, and properly price a visit.
10. The Fortress
Proper by Farringdon station, The Fortress is one other of the neighborhoodโs hottest pubs. Having fun with a nook location on Cowcross Road, this Grade II-listed public home is a neighborhood favourite.
Inside, youโll discover a historic-meets-modern inside and a bar serving the whole lot from craft beers to wine and cocktails. The meals menu options classics like burgers and fish and chips, too.
Uniquely, The Fortress additionally has the fitting to commerce as a pawnbroker. Legend has it that this privilege was granted to it by King George IV. Youโll even discover the three gold balls of a pawnbroker on the pubโs facade.
11. The Dovetail
After I spent a summer season working in Brussels, I used to be amazed by what number of totally different sorts of beer Belgium produces. From Trappist ales to lambic brews, thereโs one thing for each man, girl, and monk to get pleasure from.
So itโs just about a no brainer that I’d select a Belgian pub to spherical out my choice of the highest pubs in Clerkenwell.
With a number of Belgian beer indicators adorning the partitions and no scarcity of brews on supply, The Dovetail is a superb place to attempt a few of Belgiumโs well-known exports.
Map of Pubs in Clerkenwell
As promised, Iโve created an interactive Google map of all of the pubs I discussed on my listing. You’ll be able to see it right here. It will possibly provide help to see the place they’re in relation to one another so you will discover those which are handy to you.
Greatest Pubs in Clerkenwell
I hope youโve loved this information to my favourite Clerkenwell pubs. This space is a enjoyable place to eat and drink in central London, and Iโm positive youโll love these spots as a lot as I do once youโre within the space.
There are heaps extra, too. From the Sutton Arms to The Sekforde, Clerkenwell has no scarcity of watering holes to spend time in.
If you wish to see extra, Iโve written quite a bit about pubs in London. You’ll be able to check out my pub itinerary and my information to the very best pubs in London for a begin.
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