London’s best pub crawl through our Toast the City finalists
As we prepare to reveal the City’s best boozer at our Toast the City awards, we sent wine writer Libby Brodie on a pub crawl through some of the contenders Nowhere in the world does pubs like the City of London. We have absolutely nailed it. We do firesides, board games, slowly poured pints, waxy [...]
London is renowned for its pubs, which are deeply ingrained in the city's rich history. City AM has selected three finalists for its Toast the City award for best boozer, and I decided to explore them on a pub crawl.
Starting at The Blackfriar, I was greeted by a stunning Art Nouveau design featuring gilded marble and intricate mosaics. The pub is named after a 13th-century monastery that once stood on the site, and it serves as an excellent starting point for the tour. After appreciating the design and frescoes of beer-brewing monks, I moved on to The Cockpit.
The Cockpit, located near Blackfriars underground station, is a tiny but charming pub with a black and gold facade. Though originally built for cockfighting, it now features a spectator gallery and a serene atmosphere. The pub is also rumored to be built on the site where William Shakespeare once purchased a house for £140.
Finally, I made my way to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, one of London's oldest pubs established in 1538 and rebuilt in 1667 after the Great Fire of London. This historic establishment has been frequented by notable figures such as Charles Dickens, Dr Samuel Johnson, and Mark Twain. With its traditional ambiance, including sawdust-covered floors and roaring open fires, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese offers a perfect end to the pub crawl.
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