PUB RECOMMENDATIONS

My instinct would say- avoid pubs near Piccadilly, unless you really like tourist traps.

A couple of my favorites in York:

1. The Golden Fleece - Reportedly Haunted

2. The Three Legged Mare

In Edinburgh you might want to check out the Oxford Bar in New Town. . This is Inspector Rebus's pub. It's also one that Ian Rankin has actually been known to frequent. If you want music with your whiskey in Edinburgh check out Sandy's Bells. It's near the university.

Pam

For Picadilly pubs you are really talking about Soho.

Soho is not for the young and gullible, it contains ladies of easy virtue, hustlers, wide boys, dealers in anything from exotic porn to class A narcotics, musicians and other assorted low lifes ( most of whom appear on my family tree ).

I love it.

The Coach and horses on Great Marlborough Street is friendly and definitely not a tourist trap pub. Good Beer, so-so food.

The Star and Garter on Poland Street is pretty much the same.

The Jon Snow on Broadwick Street can get busy in the evening and you do get one or two media 'celebs' in there, but the beer is good and the food is eatable and affordable.

The Ship on Wardour Street is small and friendly, usually with one or two musicians at the bar. Beer is good and prices are reasonable.

The best of the bunch, in my opinion is The Marquis of Granby on Shaftesbury Ave. Great Landlord, atmosphere and beer.

I've been chucked out of worse pubs than these.

Thanks for your responses.

Al, you seem to have some experience with Pubs!! Probably purely academic study for your next book.

Pamela, I do not know Inspector Rebus or Ian Rankin. I do not drink whiskey but I will consume lots of stout. Edinburgh( and St Andrews) should be a lot of fun.

I will share my experiences when return back to the states.

jim

Inspector Remus is the main character in Ian Rankin's best known mystery series.

I think I'll have to try a couple of these pubs when I'm in London and Edinburgh later this year; look forward to hearing your report back!

Of course if you're looking for three really GREAT pubs in London .....

The Seven Stars on Carey Street. This pub survived the Great Fire of London in 1666. It's a very small and very intimate pub and is run by the legend that is Roxie Beujolaise. Really good Adnam's Ales but the food, although excellent, is a little pricey. Sunday lunchtime at the Seven Stars is a haven of pleasures. One of the friendliest pubs anywhere in the world.

The Prince of Wales on Drury Lane. One of my regular watering holes. Really good affordable food and a truly outstanding range of beers, each of which is kept in perfect condition. Prices are good and it's big and well furnished. A pint of London Pride in "Charlie's" is a good a pint of British beer as you will find anywhere.

The Princess Louise on High Holborn. A jewel of a pub. Truly historic and recently restored with love and attention to detail. Really good prices, a real "character" pub that isn't a tourist rip-off.

Pubs in York?
Ooh Yes!!!!!!

Personal favourites are these:

The Maltings (had 2 pints of great Black Sheep in there last night).

The Ackhorne off Micklegate - wonderfull cosy local pub with great beer- try half pints of the guest beers.

The Cock and Bottle, try the IPA.

Love York Pubs, so glad to have this wonderfull city as my home town!

IM me for any other info you may need!

Leo.