Good *non chain* pubs around Westminster and St James?

[iphonedyou]

Hello everyone,

I've a fairly specific question that a search of the forums suggests hasn't been asked before. At least, in this form. I'll be working in Westminster shortly and am looking for recommendations for good pubs in the Westminster / St James / Green Park areas. Coming from Northern Ireland, the concept of a chain pub is quite alien to me, and fairly abhorrent.

Can anybody recommend some good little pubs? Does such a thing exist? :'(

Thank you all for any help you can offer in my quest to find a boozer from home

[fido]

The Shepherds Tavern, and a couple of pubs near it in Shepherds Market a few streets away from Green Park.

[iphonedyou]

fido said:

The Shepherds Tavern, and a couple of pubs near it in Shepherds Market a few streets away from Green Park.

Excellent! Thanks Fido

Any more recommendations are very welcome. I'm going to compile a list

ETA I think Shepherds Tavern is a chain pub too

[davepoth]

http://ststephenstavern.co.uk/

Whenever I have business "in town" this is the place I'll go to afterwards. You can't get much more Westminster. It's tied to Hall and Woodhouse, an independent brewer in Dorset, but it's a proper pub.

[iphonedyou]

davepoth said:

http://ststephenstavern.co.uk/

Whenever I have business "in town" this is the place I'll go to afterwards. You can't get much more Westminster. It's tied to Hall and Woodhouse, an independent brewer in Dorset, but it's a proper pub.

Brilliant Dave, looks like a great recommendation. Many thanks for that!

[fido]

iphonedyou said:

ETA I think Shepherds Tavern is a chain pub too

Oh, erm, it might be another one in that market area. Heck, it's Mayfair - if you can't hack it around there then there is no hope for you!

[iphonedyou]

fido said:

Oh, erm, it might be another one in that market area. Heck, it's Mayfair - if you can't hack it around there then there is no hope for you!

Fair point. The problem I have with London pubs is that they all look lovely and traditional on the outside. Then you go in, order a pint and realise you're sat in another bloody Wetherspoons, with your hopes, dreams and ambitions being slowly sucked out of you.

[iphonedyou]

lepetitoeuf said:

Couple of places I can recommend which are few minutes walk from your location. Not sure if they're both independent, but they don't feel too much like a chain pub.

Ship and Shovell, 1-3 Craven Passage, Charing Cross, London, WC2N 5PH (Tucked away down a side alleyway)
The George, 213 The Strand, WC2R 1AP (Run by a friendly Irish chap)

There's the Lamb and Flag near Cov Garden, but I think that's a bit of a tourist place to visit. Would be worth a look in though.

Thanks very much! I believe the Ship and Shovell is owned by the same people that own the pub that Dave recommended, but that looks great as it's not a national chain or anything.

So thank you!

[Output Flange]

Although they're a chain, I'm quite a fan of the Geronimo Inns. The Phoenix and The Clarence are the two nearest to you.

[Trommel]

iphonedyou said:

Can anybody recommend some good little pubs? Does such a thing exist?

How far do you want to walk?

Not so many smaller places around Green Park really.

In St James's, the Red Lion in Crown Passage is my favourite (the other Red Lion off the top of St James's Square is OK too, as is the Chequers on Duke Street).

Otherwise, there a few if you want to walk across into the top of Belgravia.

Edit - you're in Westminster, not Green Park - again, how far away do you want to go?

Edited by Trommel on Tuesday 21st August 21:05

[oxford drinker]

Try the Cask & Glass on Palace Street (a Shepherd Neame pub) if you want small!
Or venture across the other side of Buckingham Palace Gardens to the Nags Head on Kinnerton Street.

[Trommel]

Cask & Glass must be the smallest pub in town.

[iphonedyou]

Thank you output, Oxford and Trommel - all of your suggestions have been noted, and are very much appreciated. As an occasional visitor, soon to be local, I shall enjoy visiting one and all

Thanks!

ETA: Trommel, I'm happy with any suggestions around the Green Park, Westminister and St James areas