Pubs with Bruce

Covent Garden, London. Not to be confused with the Nags Head in Belgravia (one of my favorite little pubs in London). There has been a pub named Nags Head on this site since the 1670s, with the current building erected in 1900 by architects P.E. Pilditch, and is known for it's Neo-Jacobean style. The pub was purchased by the McMullen Brewery in 1927, and in 1951 Whitbread converted it into a theatrical themed establishment, one of the first of its kind in England. The exterio

London. This is one of my favorite little pubs in London. It is located on Bull Inn Court, a tiny alleyway off of the Strand that is very easy to walk by. It was established in 1667 as the Old Bull Inn and rebuilt in the 1890s. It is named after the famous actress and mistress of Charles II, Nell Gwynne, who was born and raised in the area. She sold fruit in the nearby Covent Garden before becoming an actress at the Drury Lane Theatre. A popular legend claims that a tunnel on

Brewer Street, London. This lovely little corner pub is located on the site of the Hickford Rooms, which during the first half of the 18th century was the most prestigious music hall in London. In 1765 at the age of nine, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart gave a concert here in front of European Royalty. The concert hall survived until 1934. During WWII it was a popular haunt of US airmen. It is Nicholson's pub and I was happy to find the delicious Tongham Tea Traditional English Ale

Hampstead, London. This secluded hilltop pub is tucked away on a side street surrounded by holly bushes (although the name is probably derived from the tradition of hanging a branch or bush above the door of the pub to indicate that a drink could be had there). Located in Hampstead is not the easiest pub to get to but well worth the journey. It is said there has been a pub on this site since 1643, with the current building dating from the 1790s. It was originally a stables fo

Oxford Street, London. This beautiful pub located near the Tottenham Court Road tube station is the last remaining pub on Oxford Street and is on the CAMRA National Inventory of Historic Interiors. There has been a pub on this site since the 1700s, with the current building rebuilt in 1892/93 by architects Saville and Martin (who also designed the Punch Tavern). It sits on the crossroads of St. Giles Circus, which until the 15th century was a slum and the location of a gallow

Drury Lane, London. Dating back to 1216, it is the oldest licensed premises in London, with "The Whyte Hart" being here since the 15th century. The current building was built in 1812. When you enter the narrow front of the building you turn left to find a very long room and bar (like the Tardis, it is bigger on the inside!) Drury Lane has many stories related to it including the nursery rhyme "The Muffin Man". Between 1589 and 1598 Frederic Thomas Linwood is said to have kill

Covent Garden, London. One of several Cross Keys pubs in London (the name refers to the keys of St. Peters), this one was established in 1848, and features a classic Victorian design with ornate woodwork, etched glass, and a preserved interior with dark wooden beams, lots of brass and copper, a red tinned ceiling, and antique furnishings. Lots of entertainment themed photos, paintings, and other bric-a-brac adorn the walls. With it's dark lighting it has kind of a parish chu

Holborn, London. Most days when I set off on my pub crawl I have done some research ahead of time and have chosen a handful of pubs to check out. But it often happens that during my walk I pass interesting looking pubs that draw me in. The Dolphin Tavern is one of those pubs. I love to see a triangular shaped corner pub, and this one with its red and brick exterior is a beauty. A pub has existed on this site since Victorian times. Inside I was greeted by lots of dark wood and

Margate. Located in the Kent coastal town of Margate, this micropub opened in 2015 and is one of the coolest, quirkiest pubs I have ever been in. There is hardly any space on the walls that isn't covered with eclectic brewery, fairground, and historic memorabilia. It is furnished with a mixture of high and low tables, raised bench seating, and there is even an old barber chair. There is a small bar counter at the rear with a temperature controlled cellar room from which cask

Broadstairs. Located on the Kent coastal town of Broadstairs, The Dolphin dates back to at least 1585 when it served as John Hawkins' headquarters to recruit Cornishmen to fight the Spanish Armada. Sir Walter Raleigh is believed to have smoked the first pipe of tobacco in Britain here, and for centuries the tavern was used as a courthouse. It stands at a narrow three road junction with a pub on each corner - Neptunes Hall (early 19th century) and The George Inn (1830). I enjo

Canterbury. There has been an operating public house on this site for over 500 years. A coaching inn called the Black Boy was in business from the 1600s to 1908. The building is believed to be built on Roman remains as there are Roman flint pieces found in the cellar. There were also a series of tunnels that connected to nearby Canterbury Cathedral which were reputedly used by monks as an escape route. During the Middle Ages the area around the pub was known as the Bull stake

Canterbury. A 15th century half-timbered building (with foundations from the 12th century) on the Great Stour River that was used by Flemish and Huguenot weavers fleeing religious persecution in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is now one of the most photographed buildings in Canterbury. The small interior is adorned with all kinds of bric-a-brac, including a suit of armor and lots of old clocks. At the rear outside is a cozy little beer garden complete with a medieval ducking

Exeter. Established in the early 18th century as a coaching inn, it served as a vital stop on the route from Tiverton. It was rebuilt in...

Exeter. Located on a narrow cobbled street near Exeter Cathedral, The Ship dates back to the 15th century and features a 16th century...

Belgravia, London. Dating back to 1852, the Horse and Groom is tucked away (it was a bit challenging to find) on a tiny mews fairly near...

Covent Garden, London. Originally a coaching house licensed as the Coach and Horses in 1694. In 1855 the landlord was Ben Caunt,...

Covent Garden, London. Located just up the street from St. Martin's in the Fields (one of our favorite music venues in London), The...

Fulham, London. Located on the Thames River and dating back to the 1760s, it was originally called The Pot House, due to the Crabtree...

Brighton. A corner pub in The Lanes that dates back to 1854, the pub is named after Lord Nelson's flagship the HMS Victory, which was...

Rottingdean. Dating back to the 1840s and located in the picturesque village (population approximately 14,000) of Rottingdean, which has...