London Pubs — An Institution

The Pub (Public House) is Britain's most important contribution to world culture — and there are over 3,500 of them in London. A good London pub has leaded glass windows, dark wood, real ale from the hand pump, and a history spanning centuries.

Legendary Pubs

• Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (145 Fleet Street) — Since 1667! Dickens, Mark Twain, and Dr. Johnson drank here. Winding cellar rooms, low ceilings, open fire. The pub that best embodies London
• The Lamb and Flag (33 Rose Street, Covent Garden) — Since 1623, one of the oldest pubs in the West End. Tiny, quaint, always full
• The Churchill Arms (119 Kensington Church Street) — London's most famous facade: completely covered with flowers and plants. Inside: Thai food and over 1,600 Churchill memorabilia
• The Prospect of Whitby (57 Wapping Wall) — London's oldest riverside pub (1520). Samuel Pepys, Charles Dickens, and Turner came to drink and paint the Thames view
• The George Inn (77 Borough High Street) — London's only surviving galleried coaching inn from the 17th century. National Trust, Shakespearean atmosphere

Pub Rules

• Order at the bar — Table service is only available in some gastropubs. Queue at the bar, make eye contact with the bartender, order, pay
• Rounds: In groups, drinks are bought in rounds — everyone takes turns buying for all. "It's my round" = I'm paying for this round
• Real Ale: Order from the hand pump — that's real ale, room temperature, with natural carbonation. No lager!
• Last Orders: "Last orders!" = Last call. "Time at the bar!" = Finish your drinks. In London, most pubs close at 11:00 PM (Sun–Thu) or 12:00 AM (Fri–Sat)
• No tipping at the bar. You can offer the bartender an "and one for yourself" — they will take a half pint on your tab