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Striking out at The Sun Tavern
On an early Monday evening as the sun flooded into The Sun Tavern in London’s East End the tube strikes clogging up the city outside seemed very far away. They drifted even further into the distance after a few of the bar’s cocktails. What was previously something of an old geezers bar, I was told,…
Read MoreLet’s be more crisp with pub snacks
The hanging basket-adorned Cross Keys pub in Endell Street in Covent Garden was a regular stop-off point for me before heading for an Indian meal at the sadly long-gone Neel Akash restaurant (replaced by Sainsbury’s in Hanway Street). Another plus point was that it also stocked the rarely seen roast turkey and stuffing crisps from…
Read MoreGood news for pubs
Whenever my family and I venture out into the country on short breaks, my priority when booking the accommodation is the close proximity of a pub. This caused slight issues on our recent cycling trip, as the lovely Horse & Jockey in Manton, Rutland, was about 50 metres away from the Airbnb that I’d booked,…
Read MoreBook review – ‘Ale City – St Albans’ Beer History and Remarkable Pubs’
St Albans is a city I’ve visited infrequently even though each time has involved thoroughly enjoyable forays into its wonderful pubs. I’m not sure why I’ve not been more often but I’m definitely planning to return very soon as I’ve just completed reading a new book on the history of the city and its pubs.…
Read MoreDesert Island Pubs – Simon Potts, CEO, The Alchemist Bars & Restaurants
Simon Potts, CEO, The Alchemist Bars & Restaurants 1. Earliest Memory of a Pub I have one of those memories that has perhaps been forged more from my Dad’s retelling over the years – we were on the Isle of Mull on the annual holiday that we took with another couple of families. One day…
Read MoreDesert Island Pubs – Andreas Akerlund, co-owner, Grace Land Pub Group
Andreas Akerlund, co-owner, Grace Land Pub Group 1. Earliest Memory of a Pub I moved to London in the 1980s when I was in my mid-teens. It was a different world back then. I can’t exactly remember my first pub but a stand-out from that time was the Sun Tavern in Barnes. Many Swedes live…
Read MoreCzeching out new Czech bar
Having previously been involved with a London-based Czech lager brewery that left a sour taste in my mouth it has not put me off the country’s lovely lagers. It was therefore enjoyable to visit The Stranded bar on London’s The Strand where Bloomsbury Leisure Group has opened a new venue dedicated to serving Czech lager…
Read MoreNo boring beers at The Mall Tavern
All too often pubs like The Mall Tavern in Notting Hill can disappoint. They look attractive on the outside but their ability to easily attract tourists can lead to sloppy practices and an uninspiring beer list. Andy and Nati Perritt have ensured this is not the case at the pub they’ve been running for around…
Read MoreGood things come in small glasses
While enjoying a beer in the Horse & Groom in Belgravia, another male customer walked in and ordered a bottle of 4.5% lager while his female partner went for a 250ml glass of wine. The exercise was repeated for the next round, with the result that he had consumed a modest three units of alcohol…
Read MoreDesert Island Pubs – Simon Wilkinson, board director at Evolv Collection and TGI Fridays
1. Earliest memory of a pub you can recall? My parents were pub people, every night after my Dad finished work circa 5:20pm we went for two hours pre the evening meal. Most pubs did not allow children in so me and my older brothers spent many an hour in a car with a bottle…
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