Yesterday, I had some colleagues down in London from the Peak District and Germany for a conference near(ish) to Aldgate/Whitechapel. At the end of the conference I was asked to suggest a pub to go to.
Racking my brains for somewhere not massively crowded on a Thursday (the new Friday) but also maybe a bit interesting, I suggested The Blind Beggar on Whitechapel Road. Likely a quite ropey pub so why, may you ask, would I suggest there?
Well, it was indeed a bit ropey. But it’s also famous for where the Krays shot rival George Cornell back in 1966. There’s a plaque and they’ve preserved the bit of wall where the bullet lodged after passing through poor George’s head.
It got me thinking there must be loads of pubs/bars/cafes/restaurants that have an interesting backstory that might be worth a visit (anywhere in the world). Leopold’s Cafe in Mumbai is the other one I have been to several times both before and after the Mumbai terror attack.
Keen to hear of other places to add to the bucket list. They don’t have to have bullet holes!
I’ve been there quite a few times. I used to stay a lot in cheapish hotels in Whitechapel and loved to get bangers and mash or fish and chips for dinner. An authentic pub where you - if I remember it correctly had to buy the drinks and food at the bar instead being served.
Try “The Pride of Spitalfields” next time. It’s a traditional pub, just off Brick Lane. The famous resident cat is now sitting in an urn above the piano. Very good Guinness and some great photos from the ‘70’s on the wall. Not posh
There is an extant pub cat at “The Seven Stars” in Carey St, just off Chancery Lane. This pub is often used by lawyers and clients celebrating a victory at the RCJ over the road. We visited as students as it’s close to The LSE. Vintage legal film posters on the walls.
One more suggestion - “Ye Olde Mitre” off Hatton Garden. Queen Elizabeth 1st is meant to have danced around a cherry tree here. It used to be part of Cambridgeshire (sort of). Very difficult to find - as many of the best pubs are of course !
“The French House” in Soho was used by De Gaulle as a base during WW2. Best to drink the Breton cider or Pernod/Ricard as they’re not big on beer. Interesting clientele who look like they’ve just wandered in straight from the stage door.
On the other hand, “The Plumbers Arms” in Belgravia has been rather spoilt. This was the pub into which a blood-spattered Lady Lucan stumbled into after the murder of her kid’s nanny, and before the disappearance of Lord Lucan. It’s all a bit modern and soulless now, with “Lucan” beers on tap - not worth the visit.
Since I retired, I don’t go to London that often, but when I was last there, for a football match, I found myself in The Westminster Arms. It’s a nice old pub, close to the Houses of Parliament.
The pub has original ‘Division Bells’ which were rung to summon MP’s back to Parliament for important votes and suchlike. I had this image of annoyed MP’s in olden times, having their liquid lunch cut short to go back to work…
Been away for a few days so only just catching up. Some great suggestions. Can’t forget Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese - right next to where I had my first “proper” job. And Ye Old Mitre round the corner. Love the sound of The French House - need to give that a whirl. And who says you can have too much tinsel
I feel Paris is the most attractive for that matter. But I enjoyed a lot some pubs in London ( with no tv and not a lot people), which gave me the desire to stay there and read a couple of hours. But it was 20 years ago, can’t remember the names.
