Pub in London EC1

Old Red Lion

418 St John Street, London, EC1V 4NJ
Closest station: Angel, about 1 min walk

4.1out of 5 on Google, from 624 ratings

Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.

Old Red Lion, London EC1

About Old Red Lion

Real ale pub and beer garden with fringe programme and new plays at upstairs theatre.

Well-known theatre pub on one of the oldest sites in London, a pub here being first recorded in 1415; the present building dates from 1898. An ornate wooden and glass panelled screen partially cuts off what used to be a private saloon at the front. Board games are available. The pub also has a largescreen TV and can get busy on big sports occasions such as rugby matches. At the back is a patio drinking area. Pool is very popular. The long bar is separated by a most unusual engraved glass partition.

Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.

Features

  • Dog Friendly
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Live Music
  • Sports TV
  • Games
  • Serves Food
  • Real Ale
  • Serves LocAle
  • Real Heritage Pub
  • Events: Theatre
  • Disabled Access
  • Accessible Restroom
  • Reservable
  • Good for Groups
  • Separate Bar
  • Smoking
  • Accepts Credit Cards
  • Accepts Debit Cards
  • Accepts NFC

Opening times

Monday
5:00 – 11:00 PM
Tuesday
5:00 – 11:00 PM
Wednesday
5:00 – 11:00 PM
Thursday
4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Friday
4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Saturday
12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Sunday
12:00 – 10:00 PM

As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.

Good to know

Operator
Independent
Price
2 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
Phone
020 7837 7816

Photos

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Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.

Google rating and reviews

4.1out of 5 on Google, from 624 ratings

  • 4 out of 5Alex Conkletonon Google, June 2024

    A giant ruby needing more love. A claim of London's oldest theatre pub & a 600 year history wall is interesting in this vast theatre hall pub. There's a secret route through the back with a hidden, alley space courtyard. Original, highly decorative textured ceiling in red starts the pub in theatrical style, followed by the vintage pattern theatre wall paper. Patterned cut glass front window and internal partition creates a bar in the bar private area. The long bar is simple with an okay range of draught beers 🍻 There's a variety of stool & big sofa seating. The long perimeter bench is…

  • 2 out of 5G Won Google, May 2024

    Very disappointing visit. Should’ve been concerned when other pubs in the area were busy and this was very quiet. Looked very interesting on entry. Decided to order the Ghost Ship which tasted off, so it was replaced with London Pride which also tasted off. This was replaced with Brixton IPA and bags of crisps at no extra. The IPA was perfect. The staff were most apologetic and tried to rectify the situation but overall very disappointing.

  • 4 out of 5John Carr (Corinne and John)on Google, May 2024

    Decent Islington pub at the top of St John Street a few yards from Angel tube Station. Two cask beers - and one cider - on handpump when I visited. A few tables outside in a small garden to the rear. Popular theatre upstairs.

  • 5 out of 5London Pub Mapon Google, April 2024

    🚇 Angel 🍺 £6.50 Moretti An Historic Oldschool Theatre Pub. The Old Red Lion is located at the northern end of Clerkenwell close to Sadler’s Well Theatre. The nearest Tube is Angel, it’s a two minute walk to get here. This pub was founded in 1415 which makes this one of the oldest surviving established pubs in London. The original pub appears in the painting "Evening" by 17th century born painter William Hogarth. The building you see today dates from 1899 The Old Red Lion Theatre is located upstairs, it opened its doors in 1979 and is still going strong today. This pub is also home to…

  • 5 out of 5Josh Oldhamon Google, October 2024

    My favourite pub in London. Great decor and atmosphere, and ticks all the other boxes you need. Has a lovely old school charm in an unpretentious, authentic way - whilst remaining friendly and welcoming to all. It shows football as well if you're into that, but rarely feels like an overwhelmingly football pub. It feels fitting that their adopted team is St Pauli; a German club known for being the first to align itself with the anti-fascist movement back in the day. All in all a real gem.

Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.

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