Pub in London WC2
Porcupine
48 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0BSClosest station: Leicester Square, about 1 min walk4.4out of 5 on Google, from 2,370 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Porcupine
Dark wood Victorian pub with chandelier, etched mirrors behind the bar and an upstairs dining room.
There has been an inn on the same plot since 1725, at 1 Castle Street until the Charing Cross Road was built in the 1870s. It was a haunt of freemasons, and the Lodge of Confidence met there from 1807 to 1829. Rebuilt in 1880 at a cost of £2,895,the tiling of the back bar and other areas should be checked out along with the photos of theatre stars as you go up the staircase. Now a small corner bar with an angled frontage, six handpumps and large plain glass windows; the first floor theatre bar has three hand pumps. The large food menu includes pre-theatre set meals. Food options include takeaway and delivery as well as eating in the pub.
In spite of its very central location guaranteeing footfall, the pub has garnered good reviews for its ale range and quality.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.
Features
- Dog Friendly
- Sports TV: Certain events shown such as Six Nations
- Family Friendly: Children are welcome until 9.30pm
- Serves Food
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner
- Restaurant: 1st floor
- Real Ale
- Disabled Access: Not to toilets
- Reservable
- Good for Groups
- Separate Bar
- 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 – 11:30 PM
- Friday
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- 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
- Mitchells & Butlers
- Price
- 2 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
- Phone
- 020 7379 9855
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.4out of 5 on Google, from 2,370 ratings
5 out of 5Ken Wongon Google, September 2024
September 2024: Was going to see Stranger Things and stopped by for a quick bite and 🍺. Enjoyed a Beavertown IPA session to start. Beer selection was pretty good 👍. We shared the short rib pie and a side of broccoli 🥦. The meat pie was one of the best that I have had on my vacation in London. Lots of gravy inside the pie. Beef was very tender. Crust was flaky. The pie came with potato and carrots. Broccoli was fine. For dessert, had the sticky toffee pudding with ice cream. Dessert was excellent. Definitely would come back just for the sticky toffee pudding! Service was friendly and…
5 out of 5Katherine Andersonon Google, May 2024
Varun was an excellent server-very friendly and personable! The food was great—loved the crumble with custard, a must try! We would recommend this pub in Covent Garden!
5 out of 5Ink Shion Google, June 2024
A great place to stay in central London! Cocktails are great value for money and snacks are great. Luckily, a girl bartender recommended a new cocktail based on my description, which was very delicious (I forgot the name! But the picture is it). Thank her for saving my choice difficulty!
4 out of 5Ann Marieon Google, September 2024
The pub was awesome! The live music made the night so much fun. The place was busy, but everyone was having a great time. It was a great Friday night with good music, drinks, and a lively crowd.
5 out of 5Zoe Raithelon Google, September 2024
Varun was a wonderful host and the food was so tasty! Great drinks as well.
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.