London without pubs is like a garden without flowers; it just wouldn’t be pretty. Pubs have become traditional watering holes for locals, so we wanted to find a few untraditional ones to shake up the game.
The Churchill Arms
This pub is hands-down the prettiest pub in London. It is most famous for their extravagant and beautiful flower displays, quite possibly making it the most colorful building in the whole city. The Churchill Arms is also recognized for being the first pub to serve Thai food. Eccentricity is evident throughout. It was built in 1750 and contains tons of Churchill memorabilia which when combined with their florals and food, makes for quite an interesting combination. Alcohol of course is abundant.
119 Kensington Church Street
Cittie of Yorke
The 1920s were a great time for a lot of things. Style was never better, the music was classic, and apparently pubs were the place to be. Cittie of Yorke was created in the 1920s and has an interesting interior reflective of this time. This pub is comprised of a grand hall and many smaller sized rooms panning off of it. It is a set-up not seen in any other pub in the city. You can find the infamous Henekey’s long bar in the main grand hall room, a Georgian era metal stove and Victorian-style cubicles. You could say it’s a mix of many eras, but we do know that it’s a great place to be today.
22 High Holborn
Mayor Of Scaredy Cat Town
Just by the name of this pub you should know it’s going to be something unique. If a speakeasy and a pub had a baby, this would surely be it. You enter Mayor Of Scaredy Cat Town through a fridge door located in the Breakfast Club restaurant upstairs. What you’ll find is a tiny and dimly lit pub that unlike traditional pubs also serves crafted cocktails. Whilst first impressions of the pub might be strange, what you’ll find inside is pretty normal. And that’s a great thing.
12-16 Artillery Ln
The Black Friar
Don’t judge a book by its cover. This London pub is unique for the pure fact that it has an unusual exterior and interior. From the outside it appears extremely narrow; but on the inside you’ll find an atmosphere that’s larger than life. Henry Poole’s Art Nouveau reliefs are a major feature of the décor, reflecting the friary that the building once was. Hence the name The Black Friar. If medieval luxury were an interior type, this would be the prime example. It is one of London’s most historic pubs and has remained a staple for Londoners today.
174 Queen Victoria Street
Wilton’s
What makes Wilton’s pub unique is as simple as location. You can find it inside Wilton’s Musical Hall; a beautiful performance venue with cast iron pillars and balconies. Here you will encounter a very different crowd than in a traditional pub. From artists, to performers and cultural connoisseurs alike, they all frequent Wilton’s. There is also so much to do before and after your much needed pub time. Catch a show, dine at the restaurant or just people-watch. However you please, just make sure you check out this unique London pub experience.
1 Graces Alley
