Pubs: Nell of Old Drury

24 April 2012 - Nell of Old Drury, Covent Garden, London


I visited this pub on a Tuesday prior to an American expat burger dinner in London.  I met up with a couple of expat friends right when the pub opened at 5:00pm.

The place was super cute.  The ground floor was very tiny (more seating is available upstairs) but since we were the first people in the place when it opened for its evening hours, we got the choice velvet bench by the window.



I had a pint of Wandle.  One of my friends had a super expensive cider (almost £5 I think).



We had a nice chat for about an hour.  The girls I was with are a little bit louder than me and thus sound a little bit more typically American, especially in a small and empty place, so... I think we made an impression.



This pub is neat because it apparently has an underground tunnel connecting it to the theatre across the street.  This tunnel was allegedly used by Charles II for secret rendezvous with mistress and pub namesake, actress Nell Gwynne.  Shocking!



I liked this pub.  It was a bit pricey, but on par with other Covent Garden pubs.  I think I'll be back sometime, maybe for a pre-theatre pint.

Pubs: The Barley Mow

18 April 2012 - The Barley Mow, Marylebone, London

Damn, I'm behind on these!  But have no fear, I have been faithfully visiting at least one new pub every week.  I have some serious catch up blogging to do!

I stopped by The Barley Mow in Marylebone after my first visit to the US Embassy.  The Embassy was an experience in itself, but a good one overall.  Security was, understandably, a little intense.  But once I got past security, the Embassy staff was super nice and helpful.

Anyhoo, The Barley Mow was on my way back to the tube, so I ducked in for an afternoon brew.

I took it easy, it being about 3:00pm and all, and had a half pint of the John Smith's Extra Cold.

I'm always interested to see who is at a pub in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday.  Usual there's a regular or two and maybe one or two randoms like me.  That day I got a couple of stares from the regular in residence, but it didn't rise to the level of staring that annoys me.

Apparently The Barley Mow was shot at during a terrorist attack against a neighboring hotel in 1976. Scary stuff!



Although I had a nice time at the pub, and enjoyed my half pint, The Barley Mow didn't really stand out to me, and I probably won't be back.