#london pubs

[galina]

Me and my book, people-watching in Soho

[haxanbroker]

Mr Fogg's Tavern, London, March 2024.

[alessandro-accebbi]

THE SHIPWRIGHTS ARMS, a colorful, traditional English pub between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, LONDON, UK 🇬🇧

Ph. Frank Kovalchek on Flickr 🍺

[thisisengland]

Golden Eagle pub, Marylebone, London.

[jmurhop]

[acs-streetsoflondon]

Big Bastard Ale

Oh God, this one has bits in. I've changed my mind, I don't want to do this any more. No. No, I have to. This is bigger than me. This is important work for culinary archeology.

Tell my Mum I love her.

Gfolfdkgfip:jk.j9[p3i8ksupi[y

[africansafarideals2024]

London's oldest pubs

London's rich history is not confined to its grand landmarks and majestic buildings alone. Tucked away in its labyrinthine streets are historic pubs that have witnessed centuries of tales, laughter, and camaraderie. In this blog post, we embark on a spirited journey to explore some of London's most iconic pubs, each with its unique charm and fascinating history.

The Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden: A Literary Oasis Nestled in the heart of Covent Garden, The Lamb and Flag stands as a literary haven with a history dating back to the 17th century. Frequented by the likes of Charles Dickens and other literary giants, this pub has retained its historic ambiance. Its low ceilings and wooden interiors transport visitors to a bygone era, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and literature lovers alike.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese: A Time Capsule in Fleet Street Venturing down Fleet Street, one cannot miss the allure of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Stepping inside is like stepping into a time capsule, with its dark, oak-paneled interiors and nooks that echo with centuries of conversations. The pub has stood since the Great Fire of London in 1666 and has hosted literary figures such as Mark Twain and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The Prospect of Whitby: Riverside Elegance Overlooking the Thames in Wapping, The Prospect of Whitby boasts a history that dates back to 1520, making it one of London's oldest pubs. Originally a tavern frequented by sailors and smugglers, it has evolved into a charming riverside pub. The wooden balcony, offering stunning views of the river, adds to the pub's timeless appeal.

Ye Old Mitre: A Hidden Gem in Holborn Tucked away on Ely Court in Holborn, Ye Old Mitre is a hidden gem with a history that predates the Great Fire of London. Its quaint, secluded courtyard and traditional interiors make it a delightful escape from the bustling city. This historic pub has retained its original charm, attracting visitors who seek a taste of old-world London.

The Viaduct Tavern: A Victorian Marvel Situated near St. Paul's Cathedral, The Viaduct Tavern is a Victorian masterpiece with an impressive facade. Built on the site of Newgate Prison's debtor's yard, the pub features cells in its basement, providing a glimpse into London's darker history. The ornate decor and stained glass windows add to the pub's allure, making it a unique stop for history enthusiasts.

The Churchill Arms: A Floral Extravaganza While not as ancient as some of its counterparts, The Churchill Arms in Kensington deserves a mention for its vibrant character. Adorned with an abundance of flowers, it pays homage to Winston Churchill with a nod to his military service. The pub's lively atmosphere, combined with its unique decor, makes it a standout destination for those seeking a blend of history and charm.

London's historic pubs are more than mere drinking establishments; they are living monuments that connect us to the city's rich past. Each pub tells a story, echoing with the laughter, conversations, and camaraderie of generations long gone. As you explore these iconic establishments, you'll find yourself immersed in the essence of London's history, one pint at a time. Cheers to the timeless charm of London's historic pubs!

[the-magic-lantern]

The Old Dick Whittington, a pub at 24 Cloth Fair, London (it's the building in the middle). Cloth Fair is a street in the City of London (more specifically, in Farringdon Within, and near Smithfield). Nearby is the Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great. Cloth Fair was named for being the place where medieval merchants sold - what else - cloth.

24 Cloth Fair was built in the 16th century, but although it claimed to be the oldest pub in London, it only became a "beerhouse" around 1848. At pubshistory (a wonderful resource if you want to know anything about London pubs) there are more photos and a listing of proprietors from 1848 to 1911. Sadly, it was demolished in 1916.

[poemsliz]

A friar in a garden (with a hint of elvish ears)

Arts and Crafts stained glass at The BlackFriar pub, London

[indigokashmir]

Charming Public Houses and Bar Culture

Sophisticated Ambiance and Impeccable Décor, Showcasing some of London's Most Stylish Establishments.

There has been a lot of thought and creativity that have gone into some of these lovely places in London. Let's take a look!

The Club1 Room in The Mayfair Townhouse: An exuberant and whimsical Georgian townhouse, Club 1's design explores the personas of the area's original residents while embracing the mischievous spirit of the Dandy. Surprising elements, curiosities, and a light-hearted, playful design theme permeate this space.

The Albion, Islington: Alfresco dining in the wisteria-covered beer garden. It is a Georgian gem from a time when Islington was fields and farmland, and where the regulars would take afternoon walks out of the city to visit this pub. The gastropub has undergone a faithful Georgian restoration, showcasing the place's rickety floors, nostalgic wood-paneled walls, and appealing mixture of varied chairs and tables. The French windows in the restaurant area open onto over 450 square meters of wisteria-filled English countryside garden.

The Hero of Maida Vale: Featuring charming blue paneling, this traditional Victorian pub is nestled in the heart of Maida Vale, between the picturesque neighborhoods of Warwick Avenue and Little Venice.

Experimental Cocktail Club in Chinatown, London: The interiors of this speakeasy-style bar embrace a fusion of world influences. With exposed brick, opulent furnishings, and an air of mystery, the bar is discreetly concealed behind a door in Chinatown.

Farmacy London: The restaurant's interiors highlight its environmentally conscious brand with untreated woods and natural fibre upholstery integrated into the design.

The Cleveland Arms in Paddington: This Victorian-era Grade II listed pub has struck a perfect balance between traditional, homely, and stylish.

Nightjar in Shoreditch (now open in Carnaby Street as well): Oozing old-school glamour, this subterranean speakeasy-style bar boasts a dark and moody interior style to match its ambiance.

[galina]

Sundays in Soho: taxis gleam lazy over the crook of denham st, crisp clear sunlight strikes my cheek, bitter cold—flotsam of cigarettes piled up at the curb—smell of stale beer, rubber, pastry—squeezing the glass door of bar italia where strangers, who are immediately friendly, are ending their night or starting their day with espresso—berwick st is still asleep under cobbles—in the devonshire they wave away my money, I nurse my guinness at the window, watching dogs and coats and glittering rickshaws—feeling the day could go anywhere from here

[haxanbroker]

The Artillery Arms, London, November 2023.

[indiancuisine11]

A Fusion of Flavors: The Art of Pairing Cocktails with Indian Cuisine

Introduction

Carlton Lounge is a modern Indian restaurant/lounge located in Kingsbury, London. The restaurant provides a great atmosphere where you can relax and connect with your family and friends with delicious food, drinks, and live entertainment. The food served has authentic Indian flavor, with flavors from the eastern corners of the world, giving it the name “Indo-Chinese”. We have fully licensed bars and bartenders who can make any cocktail/mocktail under the sun, and even better, something designed specifically for your taste buds and palette.

The Art of Pairing Cocktails with Indian Cuisine

Pairing cocktails with Indian cuisine is an art that requires a deep understanding of flavor and aroma. At the Carlton Lounge, we have mastered this art and present a wide range of cocktails that complement our cuisine perfectly.

Another popular cocktail at the Carlton Lounge is the Spicy Margarita, perfect for those who like their drink with a kick. This cocktail has tequila, lemon juice, agave syrup, and jalapeño pepper. It is served in a salt-rimmed glass with a piece of jalapeño on top. The spiciness of jalapeno peppers perfectly complements the spicy taste of our Indian cuisine.

Menu

Our menu provides a wide range of dishes that are perfectly suited to be paired with our cocktails. Our few popular recipes include:

Chicken Tikka Masala: This dish is made from marinated chicken cooked in creamy tomato sauce. It matches exactly with our mango lassi martini.

Lamb Rogan Josh: This dish is made from soft lamb cooked in tomato-based chutney. It perfectly matches our spicy margarita. It matches perfectly with our chicken cooler.

Vegetable Biryani: This dish is made with fragrant basmati rice cooked with mixed vegetables and spices. It pairs perfectly with our Cucumber Cooler.

Making Reservation

Private Events

The Carlton Lounge is also available for private events such as birthdays, weddings, corporate events, etc. We offer customized menus and cocktails to suit your needs. For more information about hosting your private event at the Carlton Lounge, please visit.

Online Order

You can also order online for pickup or delivery from the Carlton Lounge. Our online ordering system is easy to use and provides contactless pickup or delivery options.

We hope this blog post has given you some ideas about pairing cocktails with Indian cuisine at the Carlton Lounge.

[thisisengland]

Weir pub, Brentford, Middlesex.

[avelera]

Sometimes in genre fiction stories, you’ve got magical characters talking about their magical lives in public or wearing their superhero costumes out in the regular world.

Often times, the magical characters feel they need to hide or whisper about things like magic or immortality or fighting demons or like pretend they’re going to a convention to explain their superhero costume.

These are often lovely and charming scenes but let me be clear:

Nobody in a major city would give a fuck.

Just as one example of many, I was literally in line for a book signing in NYC and a man walked by stark ass naked wearing only body paint and basically after the initial surprise, no one did or said anything about it.

The amount of crazy you encounter on any given day walking around a major city makes you basically immune to surprise or taking any kind of action about weird shit happening around you.

If I heard someone talking about their magical powers next to me at a cafe back when I lived in NYC, I’d assume either 1) they’re rehearsing for a play, 2) playing/discussing D&D, and/or most importantly 3) it’s none of my fucking business.

I’m always curious what exactly people think would actually happen in the real world if a supernatural or magical character was overheard by someone who wasn’t actively hunting them or who wished them harm.

If you overheard a time traveler or an immortal or magical person in general candidly speaking about their life at the table next to you, what would you actually do about it?

Would you call the police?

Tell the whole world you just sat next to a real magical person and your evidence is that you overheard their conversation?

Report them to their nemesis? How would you even find them??

Seriously, besides telling your friends about the weird conversation you overheard at lunch or the strange looking person you saw, what exactly would a normal person do even if they really did overhear someone like a time traveler speaking candidly about their travels for anyone to hear?

I ask because I see so many stories set in a superhero or urban fantasy setting worrying about being NOTICED. Noticed by WHO? With what result?? What do you actually worry is going to happen? What would any average person actually do besides shrug and go back to whatever they were doing?

I’d accept that maybe in a smaller town you could become a topic of conversation and even widespread notice.

But let me assure you, friends, in any major city, no one would fucking notice much less say anything about any level of weird shit they saw. The whole point of a big city is that everyone basically ignores the weird shit happening around them at any given point.

So let the fairies and ghosts and time travelers of your fantasy story relax. If they’re in a big city, they could literally fly around downtown with rainbows shooting out their ass and the only comment they’d probably get is from people wondering what movie is being filmed nearby.

[mwlphoto]

Crown & Sceptre, Shepherd’s Bush, Jun 2022.