Top 5 Must-Visit Pubs on a London Pub Crawl (With Map!)
If walls could talk, the pubs in London would have so much to say. Join us as we set out to raise a pint in some of London’s oldest, funkiest, and slighty spooky pubs. These pubs serve some serious character which is why we’re sharing a map, beer tips, and some fun stories for your journey.
Where boozy meets history—join the cheekiest pub crawl in London!
Quick Glimpse:
The Old Bell Tavern
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
The Seven Stars
The Old Bank of England
Ye Olde Mitre
Passport Partners PSA: If you’re not an alcohol drinker or if you’re underage, not to worry! These pubs have a variety of non-alcoholic beverages that you can take your pick from.
London Historic Pub Crawl
We’ve created a custom Google Map to guide you. Click the link below to bookmark the map and take it with you on your journey!
Self-Guided Pub Tour
There is so much to do and see in London — and let’s be real, it can be hard to fit everything in if you’re only visiting for a short while. That’s where Passport Partners comes to your rescue! Don’t stress about where to grab pint, we’ve got your back. We’ve mapped out 5 of our favorite pubs in Central London to make things easy.
If you’re into..
✅ Boozy History
✅ Secret Alleyways
✅ Haunted Buildings
✅ Really good beer
This Blog is for YOU!
A Historic London Pub Crawl You’ll Never Forget
📍 Ye Olde Mitre – 1 Ely Ct, Ely Place, London EC1N 6SJ
🍺 Beer to Order: Fuller’s Extra Special Bitter
🚇 Nearby Tube Station: Chancery Lane (Central Line)
No proper pub crawl starts without a legendary first stop — and Ye Olde Mitre is the perfect place to kick things off. Tucked away down a narrow passageway, this hidden gem is a bit of a treasure hunt to find, but totally worth the effort. Built in 1564 to serve the servants of the Bishops of Ely, it’s packed with history. It once even hosted Queen Elizabeth herself! Ye Olde Mitre definitely sets the tone for this crawl.
Walk 11 minutes to..
📍 The Seven Stars – 53 Carey Street, London WC2A 2JB
🍺 Beer to Order: Fuller’s London Pride or Five Points Pale Ale
Stop 2 — step into one of London’s most haunted pubs. Tucked just behind the Royal Courts of Justice, The Seven Stars is a quirky joint. Undeniable in charm — the pubs resident cat, dawned in a ruffled collar lounges by the bar daily. If you’re looking for a bite to eat their handwritten menus and daily specials can be seen scrawled on chalkboards. Having survived the Great Fire of London in 1666, this pub has proudly remained independent, and chatting with the regulars is half the fun. Don’t be surprised if you walk away with a ghost story or two.
Passport Partners Tip: If you haven’t taken a photo with any of the famous red telephone booths yet now is your chance. Located directly across from The Seven Stars you’ll find several telephone booths. This is not a highly trafficked area like Trafalgar Square so this is a great opportunity to take.
Walk 3 minutes to..
📍 The Old Bank of England – 194 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2LT
🍺 Beer to Order: Guinness
😋 Food to Order: Fish and Chips
Stop 3, The Old Bank of England – London’s most stunning places to grab a pint (or two). Converted from an old bank in 1990, the building still contains the bank vaults that sit beneath the bar, adding drama to the space. Visitors are surrounded by ornate ceilings chandeliers and even a grand staircase, but there is a darker twist behind this buildings beauty. Legend has it, a locate barber housed his very famous shop nearby. The infamous Sweeney Todd is said to have committed many grisly murders in his shop and then baked their remains into meat pies. (Yuck! 🤢)
Passport Partners Tip: Step outside, head to 186 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2HS. Here is where it is believed that Mr. Sweeney Todd himself ran his barber shop. It’s not marked with any major signs, BUT it’s right across from the Royal Courts of Justice, and it makes for a unique creepy stop to your crawl.
Walk 5 minutes to..
📍 Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese – 145 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BP
🍺 Beer to Order: Samuel Smith Ale
Get your cameras ready — we are headed to our FAVORITE pub for stop 4. Built in 1667, Ye Old Cheshire Cheese is tucked down a narrow alleyway off of Fleet Street. Be sure to duck your head on it’s winding staircases as you begin to tour their rooms. We recommend checking our the bar in the cellar that dates all the way back to the 13th century! Don’t expect any sports on the TV here, this pub does not have any TVs or music. Relax, take in the atmosphere and imagine what it would be like to sit next to some of this pubs famous visitors like Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
This is a pub we find time to visit every single time we visit. The ambiance and unique atmosphere is like no other. We hope you love Ye Old Cheshire Cheese as much as we do!
Walk 3 minutes to..
📍 The Old Bell Tavern– A Hidden Gem, 95 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1DH
🍺 Beer to Order: Nicholson - Cask Ale
🚇 Nearby Tube Station: Blackfriars Station (Lines: District and Circle)
One of London’s best-kept secrets and our final stop — The Old Bell Tavern. Built in 1678 this pub was originally supposed to house the stonemasons working on a nearby church. The cozy interior, which includes wooden beams and period decor, really gives into the authentic, old London atmosphere. There are so many nooks and crannies to see here. Honestly, we’re kind of obsessed with this place’s charm — it gives off that boozy history kind of vibe we love.
Beginner’s Guide to Beer
Pull up a stool, we’re giving you a crash course in Beer-ology: British beers edition. 🇬🇧 Travel by glass through the UK’s beer scene, enjoying a wide variety of flavors with each pour. 🍻
Let’s start with the basics — Ales.
Bitter Ale
Don’t be afraid based on it’s name. Best known for its balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness, this British pub ale is a classic. Extremely popular with the locals — when you order ask for a pint of London Pride.
Pale Ale
Light in color and flavor, UK pale ales have a noticeable hop-forward bitterness. While similar to American-style pale ales these tend to have a lower alcohol content.
India Pale Ale (IPA)
Hoppier and more aromatic versions of pale ales, India Pale Ales or IPAs have a strong, bitter flavor and often feature tropic notes. Once again, these IPAs are similar to the American version but with a lower alcohol content.
Mild Ale
Lower in alcohol, mild ales are often malty with a smooth texture and flavors ranging from nutty to caramel-like. It used to be more common but is now more of a niche style.
Cask Ale
Now if you’re not a frequent beer drinker you might not have had a cask ale. It’s not really a style of beer but the way it’s served. Typically casks are served using a hand pump, not a tap, and are served cool. The idea behind serving the ale this way is that it often pulls out the flavor of the beer.
Lager
Light beer lovers, that enjoy something crisp or malty would do well ordering “A pint of lager, please.” A pub might have a Foster’s, Heineken, Carling, or Stella Artois on tap which you may like. If you’re into Miller Lite or Bud Lite, this is what you’d likely prefer.
Pause for Drink Break
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Pause for Drink Break 🍻
Porter
A beer you’d likely sit and sip, porters got it’s name from it’s popularity amongst porters working in London in the 18th century. The traditional UK porter is served cool (not ice-cold and crips like a lager) and is typically served from a cask not barrel. Crafted with notes of chocolate, coffee, and caramel they have a slightly sweeter taste, unlike American porters which are stronger and bold.
If you have never had a traditional porter order yourself a Samuel Smith’s Taddy Porter — you won’t be disappointed.
Stout
Originally called a stout porter (now just referred to as stout) — think rich and creamy with a heavy texture. Your most common stout, and a staple in our household, is Guinness. If you are from the USA be sure to try a Guinness here. We swear it tastes different, less bitter, than what it does in America. Other favorites you might consider are O’Hara’s Irish Stout or Samuel Smith's Organic Chocolate Stout.
Now that you are officially educated, it’s time to put that knowledge to use!
Cheers to exploring London one pint at a time!
If you follow this crawl, tag us on Instagram @passportpartners.pgh — we’d love to see your journey.
Or drop your favorite historic pub in the comments so we can check it out on our next trip! 🍻✨
Safe Travels!
