Pub in London WC2
Bloomsbury Tavern
236 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8EGClosest station: Tottenham Court Road, about 6 min walk4.3out of 5 on Google, from 960 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Bloomsbury Tavern
Light, gothic-style 1856 pub with arched stained-glass windows, which claims to have its own ghost.
Said to date from 1856 and Grade II listed, it was called the Black Lion until rebuilt in 1905 to the design of C Fitzroy Dell. Half-way between Holborn & Tottenham Court Road Underground stations, the pub is handily placed for visiting the British Museum, Covent Garden and Theatreland. Legend has it (and is claimed by various local pubs - take your pick!) that the Tavern was the last drinking spot between Newgate Prison and present-day Marble Arch for condemned criminals before being hanged at Tyburn Tree. A resident ghost is also claimed.
Bank Holiday opening times: 12:00 - 20:00 food served 12:00 - 18:00.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.
Features
- Outdoor Seating
- Serves Food
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner: Not Sunday
- Real Ale
- Function Room
- WiFi
- Reservable
- Good for Groups
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accepts Debit Cards
- Accepts NFC
Opening times
- Monday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Thursday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Friday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday
- 12:00 – 8:00 PM
As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Shepherd Neame
- Price
- 2 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
- Phone
- 020 7379 9811
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.3out of 5 on Google, from 960 ratings
4 out of 51956gooneron Google, August 2024
A nice pub situated between the British Museum and Covent Garden (under a 10 minute walk). They only had 2 cask ales and I chose The Spitfire ale, very tasty. The bar area is not large but there is additional seating upstairs and ample seating outside. Despite the wood panelling the bar area is very due to the magnificent arched stained glass windows. The service was excellent and the staff friendly. As with many old pubs the gents toilets are in the basement (ladies upstairs), these are accessed by a steep staircase. In summary a nice pub to visit.
5 out of 5András Lukácson Google, August 2024
Typical English pub with good airconditioning. Comfortable chairs. Nice drinks available. Nice place to sit, relax, drink a bier, eat something after a long siteseeing walk.
4 out of 5C Yageron Google, August 2024
A small little pub, with a little beer tap list. Friendly service, surprisingly completely empty at lunch time. Indoor and outdoor seating.
5 out of 5Kent Berminghamon Google, May 2024
This place was GREAT! Large potions, VERY tasty food, friendly workers, and great atmosphere. If I lived here, this would be a regular hangout.
5 out of 5Louis Boneon Google, October 2024
A great bar located in the heart of the west end. It’s beautifully decorated inside and is an old worldly pub. It’s a great place to go for a drink and bite before a show starts. We ate before attending the theatre and the service was quick and the food was good quality. Would recommend.
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.