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Detail Pages
The Nell Gwynne, WC2
WC2
WC2R 0NP
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Nell Gwynne
I also paid a long overdue return visit last night and was very pleased to find one of London’s finest alleyway pubs in rude health.
Four ales on and very much a World Cup theme in evidence as, alongside the usual St Austell Tribute, was Sambrook’s Brewery Half Time Oranges and two World Cup branded brews from Portobello Brewing called Gazza’s tears and England Believes. The craft keg options have improved from my previous visits but it was good to see the ale pumps getting a hammering from the sizeable after work crowd that were filling both the pub and the alley way outside. We were on the Tribute until that run out, managed to get one round of the Halftime oranges before that also ran out and finished with a couple of rounds Gazza’s tears and all beers sampled were in good nick.
The rock jukebox that this pub is rightly famous for was muted last night due to the Brazil World Cup game being shown on the two screens inside the pub, but fortunately at a volume low enough to not interrupt the constant conversation of the assembled punters.
The treacherous steps to the basement toilets that the pub is also famous (or infamous) for also seem to get steeper and more dangerous with each visit although it’s probably more to do with my flexibility. Either way they continue to be needed to be treated with respect, especially after a few pints.
On 25th November 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2116 recommendations about 1995 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Nell Gwynne
The pub’s history is interesting, well documented on CAMRA’s site.
A return here last night and I can’t add to what’s already been written, certainly very atmospheric, traditional and characterful; one of a few remaining proper boozers in Covent Garden. It is though very cramped and getting to the bar is hard when full, but is a positive delight compared to the terrifying descent to the laves.
On arrival, I was met with Pride, Tribute and two from Barsham, with Norfolk Topper and my pint of Golden Close IPA costing a very reasonable £5.35, in great nick served by a friendly barman.
The pub is justifiably popular for the right reasons, with good beer at fair prices, especially when considering the area and a great jukebox, but the televised sport lets the place down, especially that as usual, no-one was watching it; nevertheless, this is one to seek out.
On 21st September 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1991 recommendations about 1957 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Nell Gwynne
A small traditional pub with a lot of character. The interior had the bar facing you as you enter, old wallpapered walls and a raised area on the right hand side, with an upright piano. Above the piano was a collection of original hand painted ceramic Whiskey, Gin and Brandy serving vessels. We found a space at the end of the bar near the piano, for a spot of vertical drinking and enjoyed the Adnam's Ghost Ship, along with Alan the resident pianist, who plays every Tuesday evening from 6pm.
On 17th November 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about The Nell Gwynne
Found this superb little old fashioned pub tucked away off the Strand. it’s very much a proper pub with an old jukebox in the corner and loud cheerful clientele inside and out. a few decent ales on too. Well worth popping in.
On 25th August 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Nell Gwynne
A small dimly lit pub hidden away down an alleyway between the Strand and Maiden Lane. The beer range seems to have improved from what I remember from years ago, Dark Star art of Darkness and a couple from By the Horns brewery were on and my pint of Mick the Miller was in good shape. The pub had a good atmosphere and felt like a proper pub, well worth stopping off for.
On 22nd April 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1875 recommendations about 1848 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Nell Gwynne
Decent little alleyway pub with some good strength real ale. Unfortunately my dictaphone packed up so I can't remember what I had but I would certainly return.
On 9th February 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Nell Gwynne
Hidden away up the narrow Bull Inn Court alleyway - but always seems busy but not overcrowded. Pleasantly traditional single-room interior, with a slight change of level at the end of the counter. Lots of bits-and-pieces to look at, and with previous beer quality issues now seemingly resolved the only remaining problem is the perilous trip down to the toilets. On this visit, I found Tribute, Redemption Trinity, Sambrook's Pumphouse Pale Ale and West Berkshire Maggs' Mild (£3.95) on the four handpumps.
On 26th November 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Nell Gwynne
A small pub tucked away down an alley between The Strand and Maiden Lane, it’s certainly not somewhere you’re likely to stumble across by accident, in fact I only just managed to find it even though I was actively seeking it out.
Inside it’s all one open plan room, with fairly limited seating consisting mostly of a few stools around the perimeter and some small tables to the side. A darts board was an unusual feature in a central London pub and this was in use on our Friday afternoon visit. There were also a couple of plasma screens, although these were turned off on this occasion. Décor wise it’s quite traditional with dark wooden boards on the floor and dark red paint on the ceilings and the top part of the walls, the rest of which were covered with plenty of old black and white portrait photographs. To the left of the pub some wooden partitions inset with etched glass segregated individual seating areas and a shelf contained a selection of old gin bottles. Lighting was quite subdued with low hanging globe lights above the bar.
Beers on tap were Mr Swift, Truman’s Attaboy and Adnam’s Southwold whilst a fourth pump for Tribute appeared to have run out. The solitary cider was Symonds Founders Reserve.
On 26th January 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1950 recommendations about 1863 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Nell Gwynne
This pleasant Victorian bolthole remains one of The Strand's few delights with its discreet location, decent background music and good ale selection. Food is something of a novelty, consisting solely of toasties, but they made a nice change regardless of their nutritional credentials. The dartboard looked underused, while the TV screen was switched off. Four ales on draft, plus a selection of Camden ales in bottles. I had a pint of Sambrook's Pumphouse Pale Ale, which was in very good condition. Definitely worth a visit and is a good addition to a crawl.
On 15th January 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3288 recommendations about 3253 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Nell Gwynne
Tucked away just off the strand. A quite dark split level interior serving 4 real ales.
On 9th October 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]