London Theater District - Suggestions

Discussion in 'United Kingdom & Ireland' started by psuKinger, Aug 7, 2013.

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  1. psuKinger

    psuKinger Pundit (850) Feb 2, 2005 Pennsylvania

    Hey folks,

    I'm headed across the pond, for my first ever visit to the U.K., in just a few days. I'm staying with my sister in Harrogate for 3 days, with plans to visit the Black Sheep Brewery, and maybe the Theakston brewery, The Maltings, and the Evil Eye Lounge while there.

    Then we're off to London for 3 days. We're staying in the Theater District, specifically the Strand Palace Hotel at 372 Strand.

    Anybody have any recommendations on good pubs/beer bars in the area, preferably within walking distance? I want to sample as much fresh English Ale (especially Cask) as I can while there... the authentic "pub" experience, if you will.

    Feedback is appreciated.
     
    #1 psuKinger, Aug 7, 2013
  2. Gold89

    Gold89 Aspirant (276) Sep 26, 2010 New York

    The Old Coffee House (Brodieslicious)
    The Cross Keys
    The Lyric
    The Harp
    The Porterhouse
     
    #2 Gold89, Aug 7, 2013
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  3. Padraig

    Padraig Zealot (526) Jan 14, 2013 New York
    Trader

    If you want to drink extremely well kept cask than The Harp needs to be your priority out of that list. They also have a permanent Kernel keg line. The upstairs room tends to be a little quieter if you want a seat.

    It was CAMRA's UK pub of the year in 2011.
     
    #3 Padraig, Aug 7, 2013
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  4. jmw

    jmw Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2009 North Carolina

    #4 jmw, Aug 7, 2013
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  5. psuKinger

    psuKinger Pundit (850) Feb 2, 2005 Pennsylvania

    Fantastic. Thank you so much. The Harp and The Porterhouse are RIGHT BY where I'm at, so I'm really thankful you gave me those tips.

    Cross Keys is a bit out of the way. Of the other 4, any in particular better/easier for getting a bite to eat? Don't need a fancy-sit-down-dinner, but just some place where I'm likely to find some space on a high table, some bar space, or a sit-down to put in an order? I'm down for drinking my calories, but the wife always tends to enjoy good/convenient pub food as part of the evening.
     
    #5 psuKinger, Aug 7, 2013
  6. psuKinger

    psuKinger Pundit (850) Feb 2, 2005 Pennsylvania

    This will be my #1 target. Thanks for the tip.

    I don't know what a "Kernel keg line" is... I googled it, but at first glance the results weren't all that helpful. Care to elaborate at all? If it's beer, it's English, and it's awesome, I want to try it/experience it...
     
    #6 psuKinger, Aug 7, 2013
  7. shyhenry

    shyhenry Initiate (0) Oct 11, 2010 Minnesota

    They have a tap dedicated to beers from a brewery called The Kernel.

    I agree with most suggestions in this thread. The Harp, Lyric, and Old Coffee House are comfortably the best in that area. Be sure to check out the guide JMW linked earlier in the thread.
     
    #7 shyhenry, Aug 7, 2013
  8. Padraig

    Padraig Zealot (526) Jan 14, 2013 New York
    Trader

    You might want to try to avoid The Harp in the early evening. It gets packed out with the after-work crowd.
     
    #8 Padraig, Aug 8, 2013
  9. Dennoman

    Dennoman Initiate (0) Aug 20, 2011 Belgium

    Visited the Old Coffee House, it was definitely fun. Supposed to be slightly more expensive than the King William IV.
     
    #9 Dennoman, Aug 8, 2013
  10. jazzyjeff13

    jazzyjeff13 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,865) Nov 6, 2010 England
    Pooh-Bah

    Not quite related to your question, but it sounds like you will be coming to York during your trip. You will find no shortage of great cask beer in the city! The Maltings is great, and I highly recommend the York Tap as well. Evil Eye isn't so big on beer (a few bottles only), but is a very cool bar nonetheless....

    Enjoy your trip.
     
    #10 jazzyjeff13, Aug 8, 2013
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