Five pubs not to be missed in London, five characteristic places to have a beer or eat a typical dish in the company of the locals.
London it is full of pubs, although many have succumbed to the charm of design and renovation and only a few have kept their appearance and above all their characteristic atmosphere. Between the contradictions and the enthralling charm of this multifaceted capital, here are 5 places where to relax in front of a good beer and maybe a nice plate of roast beef with potatoes.
The Anchor
(34 Park Street, Southwark, London. Underground / London Bridge)
Located along the promenade from London Bridge tube station runs along the Thames, appears to have been opened in 1615. The proximity to the Globe Theater, renovated and rebuilt since 1997, suggests the fascinating hypothesis that Shakespeare himself sat at his tables to draw inspiration from a pint of beer. It certainly seems that Samuel Johnson, another English literary figure of a certain depth, spent long afternoons writing inside the pub and that in 1666 many people witnessed the Great Fire from here that destroyed the city, remaining unharmed. This place, besides being very charming and picturesque in its external and internal aspect, overlooks a very pleasant little square which in summer turns red with its umbrellas that recall the colored wood of the windows. Rich in history it also offers a great selection of food and fresh fish. Try the Special Pale Ale, since 1730 an amber beer with a rich flavor and a fruity aftertaste.
Punch And Judy
(40 the Market, Covent Garden Piazza. Metro / Covent Garden)
Built in 1787, it is located in one of London's most famous and characteristic markets: Covent Garden. In the center, it is impossible not to visit this square topped by one romantic glass and iron dome, which is colored at Christmas and comes alive with music every day of the year. Punch and Judy are the names of two masks from an ancient puppet theater and the name Punch in particular derives from our historic comic Pulcinella mask. The tables on the square are ideal for enjoying the performances of local artists, who enchant the audience with real orchestras or arias of opera. Inside, on the other hand, corners obtained in small niches with vaults covered with bricks, give a more intimate and reserved atmosphere, for drink a beer with friends in a corner of apparent "tranquility", while outside London he continues to run unstoppable.
The Iron Duke
(11, Avery Road, Mayfair, London. Metro / Oxford Circus, Bond Street)
In heart of the West End, with its theaters and its shops, this pub is located in a small street a few steps from the Bond Street stop, one of the many crossroads that cross the famous Oxford Street. Great for relaxing on one of the leather sofas that smell of antique, or sitting on a table near the window, to continue enjoying the comings and goings of people and colorful flowers that descend on the small black painted facade. In fact, this place takes on a truly fascinating aspect when it is covered with fragrant and colorful flowers in spring and summer, which make the entrance romantically unique and of sure impact. Rich selection of beers and spirits and the upstairs room is very characteristic.
The Mall Tavern
(71-73 Palace Garden Terrace, Notting Hill, London. Metro / Notting Hill)
Unmistakable corner building painted white, within walking distance of Notting Hill tube, The Mall Tavern is one of the most charming and characteristic pubs of a now very famous district in London. The dishes are refined and always served in an original way and the furniture is refined and refined. If you decide to dine there, book the Kitchen table, a private table located in a finely furnished kitchen, where you can taste the dishes chosen for you by the chef. For a quicker stop and a beer opt for the counter at the entrance or, on a nice day, sit at the tables in the beautiful internal garden, with very realistic paintings on the walls, depicting lanterns and imaginary windows populated by characters who seem real.
The gun
(54 Brushfield Street, Metro / Liverpool Street Station, Aldgate)
A traditional pub in the truest sense of the word, right where you least expect it. Near one of the largest stations in London, a few meters from the market Old Spitalfields Market, in one of the areas recently rediscovered by tourism but where you can still walk meeting English and locals, The Gun represents a corner of the past, surrounded by a neighborhood in modern expansion. It is the beauty of London's contradiction, it is its amazement at every corner. In this pub you can eat and drink in a relaxed and welcoming environment, guns and guns on the walls signs depicting beers, the restaurant upstairs and everything seems to have remained like "the old days", without going through design changes or trying to resemble the surrounding neighborhood. A little pearl resistant to urbanization, to try.
