Page 315 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  313

stand outside with its many fine views, from the Prospect as well as the fact that
devotees. Many pubs have of Whitby in Wapping and eating and drinking out is
strong literary associations, such the Grapes in Limehouse to the now deeply ingrained in
as Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, White Cross in Richmond. daily London life, more bars
which is associated with Dr There is an array of bars and are opening all the time.
Johnson, while Charles Dickens restaurants along the South Eagerly sought out by style-
frequented the Trafalgar Tavern Bank, including the Queen conscious connoisseurs, the
and Oscar Wilde often went to Elizabeth Roof Garden and Bar latest watering holes are now
The Salisbury. Samuel Pepys which overlooks the river. as much a talking point as
witnessed the Great Fire of new restaurants.
London from the Anchor, on Soho and Covent Garden
the river at Bankside. The less Gastropubs are brimming with bars, but
literary Old Bull and Bush in Emerging in the early 1990s, are frequently overcrowded,
north London was the subject the gastropub offers patrons and don’t offer the most
of a well known old music-hall the chance to enjoy a drink or authentic British drinking
song, while the 17th-century sit down to a good meal – experience. To sample the
Lamb and Flag – one of central or both. Among the first hottest places, head either
London’s few surviving timber- was The Eagle, which offers east or west. In the past
framed buildings down an gourmet dishes from the decade, Shoreditch has been
alleyway – was known as the open kitchen that occupies transformed from a no-go
Bucket of Blood because it was half of the bar. Some, like The area to a popular evening
the venue for bare-knuckle prize Lansdowne in Primrose Hill destination, which is spilling
fights. Some pubs have sinister and and the Wells Tavern in into neighbouring Bethnal
associations; for example, some Hampstead, have dedicated Green. One of the earliest
of Jack the Ripper’s victims upstairs dining rooms as well pioneers, the basement
were found near the Ten Bells. as laid-back neighbourhood lounge, no-frills Electricity
Dick Turpin, the 18th-century pub rooms where you can Showrooms in Shoreditch, is
highwayman, took refreshment eat and drink. still hopping. The chic and
at the Spaniards Inn in north TV foodie Roxy Beaujolais cosy Whistling Shop serves
London, and the French House serves simple bistro dishes unconventional cocktails in a
in Soho was a meeting point for in a tiny, quirky old pub, the dimly lit setting. The hip Book
the French Resistance during Seven Stars, near the Royal Club is an eclectic space in
World War II. Courts of Justice. The Cow is which to eat, drink and enjoy
known for its oysters and events, from arts and science
Guinness, while the Chapel to crafts and DIY.
Pub Entertainment
and the Fire Station are Across town in Notting Hill,
Fringe theatre productions popular with both drinkers sip good-value Scorpion Bowls
(see p338) are staged at the and diners. The Norfolk Arms and Zombies in the kitsch tiki-
King’s Head, the Latchmere, is a traditional-looking pub lounge ambience of Trailer
and at the Gate Theatre above on the corner of Leigh Street Happiness. The area’s stylish
the Prince Albert. Some pubs and Sandwich Street, and bars contrast with the down-
have live music: there is serves a delicious selection to-earth pubs frequented by
excellent modern jazz at the of Mediterranean tapas. For the market traders, such as
Bull’s Head in Barnes and a an authentic British Sunday the bustling Portobello Star.
wide variety of music styles roast, head to The Lady If you want to stick to the
at the popular Spice of Life. Ottoline in Bloomsbury or centre of town, fashionable
The diminutive Golden Eagle, The Engineer, just north of options include the
on a winding backstreet in Regent’s Park in Primrose Hill, underground Cellar Door,
Marylebone, is a rare central an ideal retreat from Camden the Lab Bar, which serves
London piano pub, with Market. The smart Jugged Hare excellent cocktails, especially
nostalgic singalongs a few in Clerkenwell has wonderful Latin American drinks such as
nights a week. game dishes in season and caipirinhas and mojitos, or
has a set pre- and post-theatre Aqua Spirit, a bar with a rooftop
menu handy for those taking terrace behind Oxford Circus.
Outdoor Drinking in a show at the Barbican. South of the river, the Fridge
Most pubs with outdoor seating Bar in Brixton features DJs
tend to be located slightly playing decent hip-hop and
outside the city centre. The Bars deep house with plenty of
Freemasons Arms, for example, London’s bar scene has been dancing and drinking, while
near Hampstead Heath, has gradually transformed since the somewhere like Aqua Shard
a very pleasant garden, as mid-1990s; up until then, the offers cocktails along with
does the Hampshire Hog in choice was limited to either breathtaking panoramic views
Hammersmith. Some pubs hotel bars, wine bars or pubs. of the city from the top of the
enjoy riverside locations with Propelled by a cocktail revival, iconic Shard.

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