Pub in London WC2
Temple Brew House
46 Essex St, London, WC2R 3JFClosest station: Temple, about 4 min walk4.4out of 5 on Google, from 390 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Temple Brew House
Basement, industrial brewpub with mismatched furniture, for craft ales on tap and a seasonal menu.
This basement bar, just off the Strand and Fleet Street, is run by the City Pub Group and continues their development of micro-brew pubs, joining the Good Beer Guide-listed Bath Brew House and the Cambridge Brew House, with the on-site Essex Street Brewery.
The 5-barrel brew house is visible from the bar area and at street level. There is usually a gluten-free and vegetarian option.
This is a single room bar with minimal decor that exhibits signs of architects 'arrested decay', novel lighting and schoolroom style furnishings, with some tables set aside for dining. It's generally quiet during the day though it does get noisy of an evening.
With six handpumps at the bar, behind there is a wall of 16 keg fonts that include 12 craft beers, two mainstream lagers (Amstel and Heineken), and a house cider. In addition the venue offers a large selection of canned and bottled beers. Flights of beer on tasting paddles are normally available. There is sports TV for the big sporting events, and interactive darts.
The Temple Brew House was beer pub/bar of the year winner in the John Smith's Great British Pub of the Year 2017 awards, and winner, Best New Pub, Shortlist Pints and Pistachios Awards 2015. In 2019 after a close-run contest it was second-equal placed in the West London branch Pub of the Year awards.
The venue has in the past run events such as Oktoberfests and Freshers' Months, see their website for current event details. It may also open early for major sporting events. There is a gift shop if you want a souvenir of your visit! The venue offers a discount off all food and drink to students, see venue website.
Daly's Wine Bar, adjacent to the Temple Brew House, is under the same ownership.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.
Features
- Dog Friendly
- Sports TV: TNT & SKY - Two screens and surroundsound for sports
- Quiet
- Games: Darts - interactive!
- Serves Food
- Serves Lunch: Not Mon-Wed
- Serves Dinner: Not Sun
- Real Ale
- Cask Marque
- Events: Brewery tours, occasional tap takeovers, quiz
- WiFi
- Reservable
- Good for Groups
- Smoking: Outside at street level
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accepts NFC
Opening times
- Monday
- 12:00 – 11:30 PM
- Tuesday
- 12:00 – 11:30 PM
- Wednesday
- 12:00 – 11:30 PM
- Thursday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Friday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday
- 12:00 – 9:00 PM
As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- City Pub Company
- Price
- 2 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
- Phone
- 020 7936 2536
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.4out of 5 on Google, from 390 ratings
5 out of 5Shannon HGon Google, August 2024
We celebrated a birthday here recently with a group of about 25 people. Everyone had a really great time. We enjoyed playing darts and table football, and it was great that the Olympics was on in the background. The staff were really friendly and helpful, which is really appreciated when organising a get together like this! The selection of beer was very good, there was something for everyone. A few of us ordered food which came out fast and was tasty. Highly recommend this place for a small event, or for casual drinks. A hidden gem! 🌟
5 out of 5Darren Merryon Google, April 2024
Great little bar, didn't eat so not sure what the food is like but fantastic selection of beers and ciders, decent pub
5 out of 5Indy Son Google, July 2024
If you love your beers, sports and pub food in a typical London pub setting, you cannot go wrong here. Add to that excellent and caring customer service. Be it drinking water, sparkling water or beer, the policy and behaviour of the staff is something that you rarely find in the city of London. The variety of beer served and its quality is exemplary too. Yummy hot wings too. Keep it up guys - you are doing something right (and different), which works!
5 out of 5Jenna Highcazonyon Google, August 2024
Came here with family. Great choice of beers, lovely atmosphere and a warm, friendly manager behind the bar. He was really knowledgeable about the drinks. Will come again for food. Frankly would come back based on his service alone. What a gem of a guy!
4 out of 5Chris Laytonon Google, January 2024
This is a refreshingly good place considering the area. Three home-brewed (on the premises) beer including a pale ale, a best bitter and milk stout all on cask. £5.50 for the pale was inexpensive (given this is central London). Don't be ripped off by the fashionable 'craft beer'. It's a really good real ale basement bar in an unexpected part of central London.
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.