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Classic traditional wood panelled three-bar (with a 'snug') local with three distinct drinking areas, rather reminiscent to some of a Dutch “brown cafe” - to others a good old-style London boozer. A Sam Smith's house since 1998, the pub was sensitively and comfortably refurbished in 2010. The classic wooden panelling and leather covered seats all convey an almost timeless quality even in the lee of Centre Point and the new 'legoland' of Renzo Piano's brightly coloured Central St Giles.
The public bar has chess tables, darts and theatre posters. The main bar has tall windows and drapes, an ornate ceiling with chandeliers, an unusual fireplace and a mixture of leather clad chairs and stools, and there's a range of theatre posters and and other attractions on the walls.
An attractive tiled passageway at the side (a former carriage entrance) is used for outdoor drinking in summer (closes around 5.15pm after complaints from locals) and leads to the small cosy saloon bar at the rear. Upstairs there are two lounges to relax in, with one providing wonderful views on to St Giles High Street, Legoland, and passing buses and traffic, often grid-locked.
A tavern has stood on this site since the 16th century, when it catered for condemned men on their way to execution (a claim made by various local pubs!). An eclectic mix of musicians from nearby Denmark Street (London's tin-pan alley), students, bell ringers from St Giles-in-the-Fields, and crazy art students paying in coppers - all make for a clientele that you wouldn't want to miss!
Two star - A pub interior of very special national historic interest
Listed status: Not listed
A late Victorian, three-roomed pub with a striking former carriage entrance which is tiled throughout.
This Samuel Smith’s pub comes in two very separate halves. Rebuilt 1898/9 with the original part on the right but expanded later into the property on the left. The most striking feature is on the far right, a former carriage entrance which has now been turned into an extra room with seating. It is awash with tiling, even on the ceiling. A disembodied hand points the way to the ‘saloon bar 2nd door’. This is a small snug, which has been recreated by owners, Samuel Smiths of Tadcaster, as part of their excellent refit in the 1990s. The screen between the carriageway and the bars is original and has beautiful swirling designs in etched glass. The bar counter in the right-hand part of the pub is original but the bar-back is a replacement. The left-hand room would seem to have been incorporated into the pub in about 1930 judging by the sleek style of the counter: the seating is quite modern. It is possible to detect a former opening between the two main rooms: it was filled in during the 1990s and returned the pub to having separate rooms once more.
This Samuel Smith’s pub comes in two very separate halves. Rebuilt 1898/9 with the original part on the right but expanded later into the property on the left. The most striking feature is on the far right, a former carriage entrance which has now been turned into an extra room with seating. It is awash with tiling, even on the ceiling. A disembodied hand points the way to the ‘saloon bar 2nd door’. This is a small snug, which has been recreated by owners, Samuel Smiths of Tadcaster, as part of their excellent refit in the 1990s.
The screen between the carriageway and the bars is original and has beautiful swirling designs in etched glass. The bar counter in the right-hand part of the pub is original but the bar-back is a replacement. The left-hand room would seem to have been incorporated into the pub in about 1930 judging by the sleek style of the counter: the seating is quite modern. At the time of writing it was possible to detect a former opening between the two main rooms: it was filled in during the 1990s and returned the pub to having separate rooms once more.
Angel, London
Lunchtime Meals
Garden
Disabled Access
Dog Friendly
Games
Smoking
Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub
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