Pub in London WC2
Harp
47 Chandos Place, London, WC2N 4HSClosest station: Leicester Square, about 5 min walk4.6out of 5 on Google, from 3,251 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Harp
Traditional pub on 2 floors with stained-glass windows, hand-pulled real ale, cider and sausages.
The Harp for many years was first tenanted and then owned by the legendary Binnie Walsh, who ran it as a small, friendly, and independent free house with a large selection of well-kept ales and still ciders. Under her leadership it picked up numerous awards including in 2010 the ultimate accolade, CAMRA National Pub of the Year.
In 2014 the pub was bought by Fuller's who upgraded the plumbing and wiring but otherwise left the pub pretty much the same. Fuller's gave a commitment that it would continue to recognise this iconic pub, particularly amongst ale and cider drinkers. From 2014 the pub has carried on winning various CAMRA and other awards (see 2018 branch Pub of the Year photo with manager Paul Sims and branch chairman the late Les Maggs) including again branch PoTY in 2023. A board in the upstairs lounge now lists its various awards (with plenty of space left, see photo!). Also see photo of the CAMRA certificates displayed in the ground-floor bar area.
The pub is popular with musicians and stage hands from the London Coliseum (when they can squeeze in!), for whom it has a convenient back door. The narrow bar is adorned with mirrors and portraits; there is no intrusive music or TV; and the upstairs room provides a refuge from the busy throng. This pub is deservedly popular as a main cask ale destination venue in central London and can become very crowded, but once you manage to get to the bar you will normally be spotted and served quickly. Drinking is permitted outside.
The alleyway (Brydges Place, formerly Taylors Buildings until the 1930s) next door was for years blocked with doors by the pub's neighbour, the Institute of Chinese Medicine. Through the campaigning efforts of a CAMRA member and a local business man, after more than 10 years Westminster Council reasserted rights to this as a public highway and the doors were removed. The Harp site has been noted by Westminster Council as an unlisted building of merit.
The picture of "Dominic Pinto at the Bar, Sunday afternoon" is by kind permission of Dominic Pinto and artist Lewis Hazelwood-Horner.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.
Features
- Dog Friendly
- Quiet
- Real Ale
- Real Cider: Dispensed from boxes in 'fridges under back counter. Some, but not all, of the boxed ciders / perries here conform to CAMRA's real cider / perry definition.
- Serves LocAle
- Events: Occasional meet the brewer evenings, and tap takeovers
- WiFi
- Reservable
- Good for Groups
- Smoking: To the rear and at the side (all part of Brydges Place) and at front in Chandos Place.
- 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
- Fuller's
- Price
- 2 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
- Phone
- 020 7836 0291
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.6out of 5 on Google, from 3,251 ratings
4 out of 51956gooneron Google, July 2024
This is a very popular pub with real ale drinkers, evidenced by the 10 cask beers and the hundreds of beer mats above the bar. It is a narrow pub with additional seating upstairs. Being near to both Covent Garden and Soho it is ideally located. I was here at 4pm on a Monday afternoon and it was quite busy. There is a designated standing area out back but many drinkers preferred to drink in the street out front. The toilets are upstairs and accessed by a steep, narrow staircase that could prove problematic for the less mobile.
5 out of 5Matt Clarksonon Google, April 2024
Fabulous pub with a marvellous range of well kept cask beer. Had the Marble Stout myself. Busy every time I've been in here regardless of the time of day. A central London institution. No children allowed. Additional seating upstairs if it is rammed downstairs.
5 out of 5Scottieboyukon Google, September 2024
This is a great old bar, in the heart of London, nice selection of beers and such a great atmosphere. Enjoyed the visit, nice!
5 out of 5Bradley Whalen-Griffithson Google, August 2023
Great little pub. Traditional feel, small and compact yet can fit plenty people inside. Definitely a pub directed for those attending the theatre but that didn't stop me. Fantastic beer and cider selection from various breweries. Fast friendly service. Great character and charm about the place.
4 out of 5Jay Highfillon Google, July 2024
This is a fairly famous English pub in London. Well known but still a little off the beaten path. Nice classic feel with an old age style but new beers. A lot of casks for ales. A small area in the main bar with more space on the second story. Nice place to have a pint of ale.
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.