Pub in London W1
Fitzroy Tavern
16A Charlotte Street, London, W1T 2LYClosest station: Goodge Street, about 4 min walk4.2out of 5 on Google, from 1,385 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Fitzroy Tavern
Traditional pub attracting students and media types, once a literary haunt for the likes of Orwell.
The building started life as the Fitzroy Coffee House in 1883 and became the Hundred Marks in 1887; renamed the Fitzroy Tavern in 1919, by which time Germanic references were not popular.
Formerly a Charrington's house (and before that owned by Hoare and Co.), the Fitzroy was taken over by Sam Smiths and underwent a complete transformation (along the lines of the Princess Louise in Holborn). A large semi-island bar serves six separate drinking areas, some connected internally. There is a profusion of well crafted etched glass, mirrors, tiles and wood panelling, on which Sam Smiths have really gone to town.
Paintings, photos, posters and other memorabilia decorate many available walls. There are two real fires! Even hardened pub-goers should prepare to be impressed.
Prices would probably have a Yorkshireman reaching for his smelling-salts, not his wallet, but they are very reasonable - for London.
Fitzrovia, which is said to said to be have been so-named, by Tom Driberg alias William Hickey of the Daily Express, from the pub, had a distinctly bohemian flavour from the 1920s onwards, and the Fitzroy was its beating heart, where Pierrepoint the hangman mixed with Fabian of the Yard, Coco the Clown, writers Dylan Thomas and George Orwell, politicians Nye Bevan and Hugh Gaitskell, comedians Kenneth Williams and Tommy Cooper, sculptor Jacob Epstein and artist Augustus John . . . becoming one of the very few pubs to have its own biography, by the daughter of a previous licensee ("The Fitzroy; the Autobiography of a London Tavern" by Sally Fiber, available second-hand or from a good library).
Archive photos of this pub as a Charrington's house are available at www.historypin.org/en/fitzroy-tavern/.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.
Features
- Dog Friendly
- Outdoor Seating
- Real Fire
- Quiet
- Serves Food
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner
- Real Ale
- Function Room: Whole upper floor; own bar with handpumps.
- Disabled Access: To the pub; ambulant disabled toilets downstairs
- Reservable
- Good for Groups
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accepts Debit Cards
- Accepts NFC
Opening times
- Monday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Thursday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Friday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday
- 12:00 – 10:30 PM
As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Samuel Smith
- Price
- 1 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
- Phone
- 020 7580 3714
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.2out of 5 on Google, from 1,385 ratings
3 out of 5Geekerellaon Google, August 2024
Side street traditional pub with plenty of outdoor seating (for those vulnerable to respiratory infections). Drinks are standard pub fare. The food is appalling. Langoustines were served without the correct cutlery and no cleaning done. Even the claws were left on. Popcorn chicken was large lumps of overcooked chicken, burned and lacking in flavour. The accompanying sauces were pointless with no consideration of flavour blending.
5 out of 5Criscocu “Criscocu”on Google, February 2024
What a fantastic discovery! This place is full of history. Fantastic features, fireplace, separated rooms with different entrances. Just love it! We came in from a side door and ended up in a small room with a fireplace all alone. What a wonderful experience. We enjoyed lovely food and drinks. I highly recommend it!
4 out of 5BK Titanjion Google, September 2024
Nice little pub on Charlotte street. Had white bait deep fried with fries 🍟 as a snack with a 🍺.
3 out of 5Steve Bintleyon Google, October 2024
Being part of the Sam Smiths chain mean none of the traditional pub drinks are available but the bar staff are friendly and the decor is traditional. There’s two bar areas and the toilets are downstairs. My only complaint would be the prices - almost twenty-five pounds for a double gin & tonic and lager is excessive and rather off putting for a future visit. But for a traditional vibe it’s worth checking out.
5 out of 5Mark Brocktonon Google, September 2023
If you are looking for a traditional English pub with charm and character then look no further than the Fitzroy Tavern. We visited this place on Thursday afternoon in beautiful sunny weather and sat outside watching the hustle and bustle and had a fantastic time. The building itself is very impressive and the location is very good too. The food is excellent as are the drinks (All Sam Smiths own brewed). The staff are all very pleasant and attentive and I can thoroughly recommend a visit. Mark
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.