Pubs Anyone?

I think that listings from the Guardian news org usually sound interesting. Here are two out of several articles available there:

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/apr/24/top-10-craft-beer-pubs-central-london

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/aug/20/london-historic-food-drink-bars

There are still many independently owned and operated pubs in London - lots of the more iconic ones have been bought up by an company called Nicholson's. Even though you walk into an old pub in London that looks the same as it has for hundreds of years, you'll be handed a Nicholson's menu when you get to your table. They haven't remodeled or changed them physically and they still give them some leeway on their menus but I don't like walking into a pub that has been the same for hundred's of years and being handed the same looking menu I was handed the day before at an entirely different pub across town. There is nothing wrong with these pubs it's just that the concept of a chain establishment, to me at least, doesn't belong as a part of very old, traditional pubs like the Eagle and Child in Oxford or the Museum Tavern across from the British Museum. The world has enough chains...just bothers me a bit. Maybe these pubs would have gone under financially without support of a corporation and I am unaware of it...I'm sure someone knows more about the reasons for this and I would love to know!
Just be aware so you're not surprised when you walk through the doors and have a seat!

I've never been in a London pub I didn't like (okay, I'm easy, I admit it).
In London, you walk so much that it's vital (for your health) to stay hydrated. And a great thing about London is, when you've been walking hard and you get thirsty and need that healthful rehydration, why, there's a pub within a block or two--always. Now that's a great City!

YES! Kent nails it!

And Anita is also correct... for instance, in the 2nd link from Laura (london-historic-food-drink...) the Old Bell Tavern in Fleet Street is listed first. I was there in November 2013 (I first visited it 30 years ago on a sweet 16 trip with my mother!) and just LOVED it. It was full of newspaper workers on lunch, felt exceptionally authentic and "real" and local and not at all like a chain.... but if you look at the web address, it's a Nicholson's pub!

So on balance I wouldn't worry so much about trying to avoid the chains - I'd just ask folks for their favorites and, if one happens to be a chain, well... there you have it. (And yes, I do recommend the Old Bell Tavern in Fleet Street.)

That said, check out CAMRA (http://camra.org.uk/) - here is what Wikipedia has to say about them: "The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is an independent voluntary consumer organisation based in St Albans, England, whose main aims are promoting real ale, real cider and the traditional British pub. It is now the largest single-issue consumer group in the UK,[1] and is a founding member of the European Beer Consumers Union (EBCU)."

If you are going to find locally-owned, non-chain pubs, it'll be on the CAMRA site.

Simply put, you cannot help but pass dozens of fine, authentic British pubs no matter where you go in London. That said, you must hit The George on the Southbank (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/george-inn). "Dating from the 17th century this public house, leased to a private company, is London's last remaining galleried inn." Check it out on a Friday around 5 p.m. and you will not believe your eyes. (Good beer too). Also consider the Prince Edward where Kensington meets Notting Hill; Shakespeare's Head in Carnbaby Street; and the Red Lion and Westminster Arms, which are both in the Westminster district.

Personal favorites: The tiny Red Lion in the Crown Passage. The gorgeous Art Deco Blackfriar pub. A great find last year, the Daniel Gooch, a couple of blocks from the Royal Oak Tube stop. Outskirts of Bayswater neighborhood. Wood laden with a fire place, booths, couches, long bar and pool table. Thoroughly enjoyed a few pints with some locals last Fall. Was staying in the area and stopped in for a celebratory pint after watching my 49ers trash the Jaguars at Wembley. Also like the Ship and Shovell within the Craven Passage. All of these should meet your criteria. I too agree with Kent. Best way to see London is to walk and reward your efforts as you go. The http://www.fancyapint.com website is worth perusing. Lastly, enjoy a pint at the Red Lion on Whitehall. The conversations alone are worth the visit as barristers, lords, government officials tend to migrate there.

Nicholson actually has a long history as pub-owning company, with many of the London pubs in its ownership having been in the same hands for a century or more. The company started out life as a gin distillers, and the pubs were acquired initially in lieu of debts but they later developed them as a tied-house estate.

OK this is all in the past and the company is now part of M&B as a result of a long chain of company takeovers, acquisitions and swaps, but there is real history behind the modern corporatism.

Check out fancyapint.com

Agree that the George Inn is special--and you can visit Borough market while in that area. Other favorites: The Grenadier, Lamb & Flag, Old Cheshire Cheese, and Nag's Head. We also liked one in Chelsea (King's Road) that name escapes me. Two that we did not care for (mediocre food & atmosphere not great) were one near British Museum & another right at South Kens Station. Nag's Head is very small & very unique and the food was good when we were there two years ago. Fancy A Pint is good to check ratings/reviews.

Went to the Mitre (downstairs) and Lancaster Arms ( Craven Terrace/Lancaster Gate) last trip and both had a very neighborhood feel. Plenty of locals.

Crown and Anchor near Euston station . Had best burger there, hand made patty flame vroilwd with Stilton and brie,ate there twice. Local hand out, bar manager Gavin and his wife Kali run it like a guest house,we were " regulars" on second visit , and on this were incited to " lock in" ( when pub closes and staff and a few friends stay and continue to "socailize" lol).

Returning there in two days after we leave Paris,can' t wait!

We were in London last week. Just wandering around on foot, we enjoyed the Gloucester pub and Trafalgar. Both places were authentic, reasonably priced and full of locals and a few tourists. The Gloucester is on sloane Road, about five blocks north of Sloane Square, and the Trafalgar is on Kings Road, about six blocks west of Sloane Square.

I am in the camp that says there are very few bad pubs. Some are more sports bars than pubs, but overall, if it looks right it usually is. I had no problem with Nicholson pubs, yes the menu seems to mostly repeat, but hit a Fullers Pub and you can see the same elements among them, Weatherspoons and Taylor Walker also have many in London.

That said, my list would certainly not only the George that was mentioned, but the Old Kings Head nearby in Southwark, a nice place, old, more local than tourist. The Olde Chesire Cheese is certainly a must, just for the layout and history. The Harp is a great place for beer and also very local.

I will add though, in Central London, during the week, watch out for the after work crowd. Pubs can get crazy crowded, and while local, just a bit oppressive.

If anyone is going to York, be sure to go the "Trembling Madness" the coolest pub I have ever been to. You will probably have to ask someone where it is. Pretty popular in York.

If you're in the Covent Garden area, I like the The Globe on Bow Street opposite the Royal Opera House.
Not only a great pub, but it was used in Alfred Hitchcock's classic, "Frenzy".