Pub in London WC2
White Hart
191 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5QDClosest station: Holborn, about 5 min walk4.3out of 5 on Google, from 1,415 ratings
Details last checked January 2025. Things may have changed since.
About White Hart
Large, high-ceilinged pub with snack menu and eclectic decor of lived-in sofas and stripped floors.
A pub that is much larger than it looks from the outside. There is a narrow bar leading to a large baronial rear area. Rebuilt in 1912 by Hoare and Company's Red Lion Brewery, the pub claims from Old Bailey archives to have been in existence since 1216 and to be the oldest licensed premises in London. It, and the surrounding Drury Lane area, was a plague hotspot in the Great Plague of 1665.
Reputed, like many others in the area, to be a pub where condemned men had their last drink and the company of a good (bad) woman; it is on record that the highwayman Jack Sheppard had his last glass here. The White Hart was a favourite emblem of Richard II though the origins of the creature date at least from Alexander the Great's time. Archive photos of this pub as a Charrington's Ales house may be seen at http://www.historypin.org/en/white-hart/
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.
Features
- Dog Friendly
- Serves Food
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner
- Restaurant
- Real Ale
- Events: DJ on Saturday nights
- Disabled Access
- Reservable
- Good for Groups
- Newspapers
- 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 PM – 12:00 AM
- Friday
- 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM
- Saturday
- 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM
- Sunday
- 12:00 – 8:00 PM
As listed in January 2025. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Morton-Scott Pub Company
- Price
- 2 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
- Phone
- 020 7242 2317
Google rating and reviews
4.3out of 5 on Google, from 1,415 ratings
2 out of 5Kevin Woodon Google, January 2025
We ordered the baked dipping camembert cheese to start and 2 of the steak ale and pot pies. We waited over half an hour for the starter to arrive and within 30 seconds the mains also turned up which did not allow us any time to eat the starter. The camembert was not creamy and soft like I've many times before and can only assume it was not cooked through properly. The 2 pot pies came with a very high puff pastry on top and looked impressive, but under the top was very disappointing, there was lots of insipid looking meat, but it was not tender and almost chewy. The color of the gravy of each…
5 out of 5Shane Draytonon Google, January 2025
Brilliant hidden gem of a pub in London West end we had a few drinks and a meal before we saw Mrs doubtfire in shaftesbury theatre opposite the pub so brilliant option for a pre show meal and drink and post theatre drinking. The pub had a laid back atmosphere so felt very relaxed the menu is pub classics which where very tasty I had the sausage and mash and my girlfriend had a vegan curry due to intolerance to glutin and dary it was clearly indicated on the menu. The Guinness is very good and you get a nice picture on top my girlfriend was drinking the house red wine the two drinks where…
5 out of 5Theo Goughon Google, August 2024
Lovely cosy pub. I visited last night and had a wonderful experience. Live DJ and great atmosphere. Unfortunately I never caught her name but I was served by a lovely lady who was very helpful and chatty. Congrats to her for graduating from kings. The shots were a good price and the Guinness had a very funny logo. Would recommend this place to anyone thinking of visiting the area
4 out of 5Leslie Pushoron Google, May 2024
We really enjoyed the Sunday Roast Beef dinner! This was our first meal in the city after long flights and travel and it did not disappoint! You will not walk away hungry…the portions are very generous. The roast beef was very tender and the cheesy cauliflower was wonderful! The staff were very kind and ready to make us comfortable! Great spot for a nice beer and comfort food!
5 out of 5Anamikaon Google, October 2024
I LOVED my first ever Sunday Roast at this cozy establishment. Not only was the food super yummy and the Guiness came as per my request with two dollops of syrup (yes I am one of those) but our special day became even more special as I noticed a funny foam art on top of the Guiness head - to my surprise and delight. I added some pictures to share my 'ooh' moment here. Even more delightful was Christof, who came in announcing that they could take a photo of us and print it out (edible vegan ink) on our foam top as well and of course we went for it! Definitely pleased this is where we chose to…
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in January 2025. See the latest on Google Maps.