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Beer of the Week (w/e 17th March 2024) with Mobyduck on the Pub Forum

The Britannia, EC1

94 Ironmonger Row
EC1
EC1V 3QR
Phone: 02072536441

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Moby Duck left this review about The Britannia

Very much a locals backstreet boozer, to the point that a couple of barstools around the central island bar, had reserved signs on them.The wood paneled walls had some old theatre posters on show along with the brewery mirrors and a couple of other pictures,the carpet looked like it had seen plenty of traffic but was not tatty.The sole cask beer on was Shepherd Neame Spitfire.
Nice pub but the beer wouldn't likely entice me back in a hurry.

On 9th April 2018 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1853 recommendations about 1827 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Quinno _ left this review about The Britannia

Traditional ‘respectable working class’ backstreet pub. Nicely done inside with a plush 70’s vibe - an island bar, three quarter length dark wood panelling, some old brewery mirrors and old school tables, red velvet topped stools and padded banquette seating. Very clean and tidy too. A locals vibe, everyone knows each other and there’s a hefty Irish slant and I found a very friendly and convivial atmosphere. Despite a plethora of handpumps only one was on, a modified old GK XX Mild clip serving a tepid but ostensibly OK ale, presumably Old Golden Hen going by the taste. Whilst it isn't somewhere I will be revisiting anytime in the foreseeable, I'm pleased this place is doing well and hope it survives for a good while yet. If you like traditional, comfy community boozers and aren’t fussed by the ale this one could be for you. 6.5

On 5th July 2016 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5030 recommendations about 5013 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Britannia

I can't summon up Anthony Yard's enthusiasm for this place, and am baffled as to why he thinks that it's in the East End. Either way, this was a surprisingly good ex-Whitbread pub and not the scary place I've always assumed it was. Well described below, I agree entirely that the place is classic 1970s, with an Artex ceiling and wood panelling. Music came from over the wireless, courtesy of Magic FM and at least two games' machines provided further entertainment; the absence of sport TV was an added bonus.
This is a quiet and friendly pub, seemingly free of chavs or football hooligans. There weren't many in, but they were white, Asian, old(ish) and young(ish); quite a family-orientated group too.
The ale front is limited with an Adnam's Southwold clip, reversed, and Sharp's Doom Bar at £1.80 a half which was a bit off; there were a further two unused pumps.
I can't really see myself coming here again, but I wish it well.

On 24th May 2016 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1943 recommendations about 1910 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about The Britannia

There were a couple of mainstream ales on in here - Adnam's Bitter and London Pride (£1.65 a half) with several other, mainly hunting scene decorated, handpumps apparently unused. I didn't see any sign of food when I was in around 4.00 PM on Wednesday.

The pub interior looks classic 70s. There are the red upholstered banquettes around the walls, the little round similarly upholstered stools, and some normal chairs and tables. There's a central island bar, which would once have served at least a couple of separate rooms and of course the floor's carpetted. There are no sprigs of flowers on the tables here - just beer mats. The walls are mainly wood panelled, with a few prints on them. A couple of other plus points are the newspapers in a rack by the bar counter, and the sign on the door declaring this to be a chewing gum free zone. Another sign issued the edict that no glasses or furniture are to be taken over the road. All sounds very sensible to me.

The clientele seemed to be almost entirely male, and all local regulars having a jolly good time. The ale selection isn't brilliant, but the retro ambience of the place sets it apart from the pretentious joints all over London these days. If you want a pint in an unpretentious locals' boozer just a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of Old St then this place should suit you.

On 17th January 2014 - rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Britannia

A traditional corner boozer, located on a back street off City Road. Opened out into a single room, the pub is dominated by a substantial island bar. Busy, with a very lively (but friendly) atmosphere during the Arsenal vs Spurs derby on the large TV screens. Comfortable padded seats. Beer-wise, hopes faded a bit on entering when I saw two disused handpumps, but fortunately there are another pair round the other side offering Adnams and Pride (£3.10).

On 22nd April 2011 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8039 recommendations about 8039 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve of N21 left this review about The Britannia

Have to say the Britannia was one of the surprising highlights of my recent mini crawl round Old Street. Have not visited before and only found it through the map feature on PuG.
The Britannia is a fairly small corner pub hidden behind the Finsbury sports centre in the terraced back streets running parallel to Old Street. It’s fairly ordinary looking from the outside and you could easily miss it if it wasn’t for the bright blue colour and jutting pub sign.
Inside it is one room with a circular bar in the middle of the pub and then red velvet bar stools, window booth bench seating and an assortment of tables and chairs around the outside.
It was the busiest of the pubs visited on this early evening and the clientele seemed to be a mix of locals, people from the nearby hotel and users of the sports centre. Very friendly atmosphere and the pub staff were very accommodating of a lone drinker.
Several lager pumps around the circular bar and although there are four hand pumps only two are in operation and these were dispensing Pride and Adnams, and the Pride was a well kept pint.
All in all a very good traditional back street local currently untouched by the gentrification that has changed the character of other establishments in this part of London and I will certainly visit again when back in the area.

On 3rd November 2010 - rating: 8
[User has posted 2094 recommendations about 1985 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Anthony Yard left this review about The Britannia

Four of us came up from somerset to see a show, stayed at the Thistle Barbican, we had a couple of drinks at lunchtime and got chatting to the landlord and we were invited back for the evening after our show, this was the best saturday night we had ever had, good beer, good music, good company cant wait for the next time, nothing like EASTENDERS !!!

On 6th April 2008 - rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]