Pub in London WC1
Dolphin Tavern
44 Red Lion Street, London, WC1R 4PFClosest station: Holborn, about 6 min walk4.2out of 5 on Google, from 185 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Dolphin Tavern
On a visit in early April 2022 two cask ales available - they tend to rotate between two of Landlord, Ghost Ship & Tribute. The pub will also close earlier if trade does not warrant remaining open. Food not currently being served.
A small, wedge-shaped pub with a wooden bar and seating in booths down one side of the pub and bar stools down another. This, coupled with the paraphernalia around the walls, gives a very cosy feel. It is famous for its stopped clock (a German zeppelin dropped a bomb on the pub in 1915 killing 3 men and stopping the clock). The food is traditional and home-made with main meals served 12.00 - 14.30, at other times snacks such as nachos and sausages are available until around 22.00. Reported as "free of tie" in the summer of 2016 and plans to put in a fourth pump to compliment the three they already have. Toilets only accessible by steep stairs.
Sits directly opposite a realtively new Premier Inn.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide.
Features
- Dog Friendly
- Outdoor Seating
- Sports TV
- Quiet
- Serves Food
- Real Ale
- Disabled Access
- Good for Groups
- Smoking
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accepts Debit Cards
- Accepts NFC
Opening times
- Monday
- 5:00 – 11:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 4:00 – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Thursday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Friday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Independent
- Price
- 1 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.2out of 5 on Google, from 185 ratings
3 out of 5Dan Northon Google, August 2024
I've been wanting to try this pub for a while to see it's famous zeppelin hit clock. I have been on antibiotics so couldn't drink alcohol yet I wanted to try a few pubs in the city by the time I got to the Dolphin I had soft drink burnt out, so I explained this to bar man and asked for a packet of crisps, where I was told " why don't I go to corner shop and pay 50p for a pack instead of £2 " when I said again why and I wasn't trying to be difficult, I was told defensively" not am I , I'm trying to save you money " when I asked if I could bring a pack in to the pub I was told I couldn't, so…
5 out of 5Mirk Robinsonon Google, July 2024
Not much to add, friendly staff. Lovely, small traditional London boozer.
5 out of 5David Simkinson Google, March 2023
Lovely, traditional corner pub in Holborn. An unpretentious boozer selling a couple of well-kept cask ales; Landlord and Ghost Ship at the time of my visit. Plus other drinks and traditional pub grub. Popped in mid-afternoon during a lull in customers and had a good chat about the history of the pub, with the old clock, photograph and text description being pointed out to me. The text reads: 'THE DOLPHIN TAVERN - hit by an H.E. Bomb dropped by Zepp L.13. on the 9th of Sept 1915. 3 men were killed. The old clock was recovered with the hands stopped at 10.40 p.m. - the time the tavern was…
5 out of 5Sean Halperinon Google, August 2024
Awesome little pub in a great laneway. In summer there is a lovely cooling breeze. In winter it maybe chilly. The staff are exceptional friendly and I would recommend the place to everyone
5 out of 5Mat Rogerson Google, May 2024
One of best kept pints of Guinness I've had outside Ireland. An old school pub with an unpretentious feel and friendly atmosphere.
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.