Pubs: Which is best?

These sites should be of some help.

http://www.fancyapint.com/

http://www.timeout.com/london/bars/

Suzanne,

Which city / cities are you travelling to? It's difficult to make recommendations on "historic" Pubs.

Our stay will mostly be in London itself. Any areas within London are fine to me.
:) Suz

The Tea Clipper which is off Brompton Road and nearby Harrod's. Adam and Eve Pub after you've seen the Pallie. Ye Olde White Bear near the Hampstead Heath.
Just a few blocks from Parliment, the Red Lion. Good food, great atmosphere and each in different London neighborhood.

I suggest you read the book "A Pint of Plain". It's about the author's search for the true traditional Irish pub, a disappearing breed. It's also an allegory about the change in Irish culture in recent decades.

Suzanne

Three historic suggestions:

Firstly, the George Inn in Borough High Street. There's some detail of its history on the site below. It's about 3 minutes walk from Borough Market which might interest your daughter, especially if she is interested in food.

http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=187

http://boroughmarket.new.mindunit.co.uk/

Secondly, the Mayflower.Some people called the Pilgrim Fathers set sail from here in 1620. I wonder whatever happened to them? You can walk up the river to here from London Bridge station, or it is close to Rotherhithe tube.

http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=209

Thirdly, the Lamb and Flag in Covent Garden. The pub itself is still reasonable given its central location, and there is a lot around the Garden to interest a teenager.

http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=204

Have a good trip.

Alan

Thanks so much for your replies....this will add to the enjoyment of our upcoming trip. Any good ale ideas that stand out?
Suz

Be sure to try the hard ciders on tap. They are wonderful.

CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) publishes a "Good Bear Guide" each year for the British Isles and Ireland. Also look for the "Good Pub Guide" which also covers the same geography. You can not go wrong with either.

Also CAMRA does a Cider Guide(new one just published). If you like walking with drinking (a favorite pastime of mine), CAMRA has "Ale Trails" of the Peak District and London. Don't forget Brewery tours, The Black Sheep Brewery in Yorkshire is my favorite!

Tom

When you get to your hotel, ask if there are any pubs in the area that serve "real ale." Nothing like the mass produced names we're all used to. Also ask if those pubs serve meals as a nice plate of bangers & mash, or shepherds pie, along with a pint of real ale or "their best" is as good as any meal anywhere in Europe. (I know, all you Italy lovers will start to scream.)

Off the subject - where is Inland Empire? I'm a native Californian and I couldn't find your town on the map. Just curious.
Karen

It's east of Los Angeles. We actually have a sales territory that is based in the Inland Empire. ; ) Pam

Moulin Inn near Pitlochry, Scotland. Lonely Planet asserts it's the "Best Pub in the country.". Intrigued by the claim, we stopped for lunch & a pint of real ale and ended up staying the rest of the day in Pitlochry & booking a room at the Inn for the night. Bonus for having wifi and allowing me to type this reply!

The Inland Empire actually refers to an area rather than a specfic city. As the one writer stated it is east of LA. It takes in cities such as Pomona,Claremont,etc. going out towards San Bernardino. Thanks for asking.
Suz

I have to second the Lamb in Covent Garden. The Shepherd's pie and Steak and Ale pie are very good. Also The Shakespear across from Victoria Station.

Gee we use to call that the Pomona Valley (back when Rosemead had real farms and no bar grates on the windows)
I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley and I can't wait to see England.
Somewhere someone wrote there are some great pubs around Victoria Station. Is this true (it's where I'll be staying)?
Karen

Another fan here of Lamb & Flag--the food is very good. We went for lunch. Also consider The Olde Cheshire Cheese pub on Fleet St.--very old and great atmosphere. We were there last November and fire places were up and running in both side rooms. Very cozy.

If you do go to the Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street, do not order the fish and chips. They left the skin on the bottom, I should have sent it back. Also, the ground floor was packed when we got there around 1:30pm in the afternoon, we had to sit upstairs which isn't the same.

Karen

A couple of good pubs in the Victoria area are the Prince of Wales in Wilton Road and the Plumber's Arms in Lower Belgrave Street. Neither have any great historical claim but both are friendly old-style pubs with good real ale. (I can vouch for this as I was in the Plumber's last night.)

The Prince of Wales is right next door to a very good middle eastern restaurant - Kazan's. Details at

http://www.londononline.co.uk/restaurant/565/

Also good for eating in that area, if you like steak especially, is Chez Gerard at Victoria.The dining room is really nice and they also have a bar which specialises in whisky if that is your thing.

http://www.bestlondonrestaurants.co.uk/restaurants/london/chezgerardvictoria.asp

Have a good trip

Alan

I sure appreciate the suggestions listed on this thread...eager to try the local faves. Which one is served room temperature again, ale or lagers? Although it doesn't matter to me as I want to sample both! :) Suz

Neither is served "room temperature." Ale, and bitter, are served at "cellar temperature." Think somewhere between cold and room temperature.

Lager is like the typical American beer.

My suggestion is to find a pub that served "real ale." After that, ask for a pint of "their best" (referring to their best bitter.) Bitter is a darker beer, a close cousin to ale and very popular.

Personally, I'm a fan of Directors.

Here's a simple guide to British Beer

I still like The Sherlock Holmes off Trafalgar Sq. Admittedly I have not been there since the remodel. I'm going to try to try Alan's choices next time.

There is also an Inland Empire in Washington State. Spokane is "The Heart of the Inland Empire".

Without a doubt, it's the GRENADIER....check it out at pubs.com!