The Harp

Best ale,best service,best pub in the land.

Reviewed by michael ayres on 21^st August 2010 - rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]

Always very crowded after work, but well worth venturing inside to get a first-class pint from their much improved choice from eight handpumps of regular ales from the Dark Star and Sambrooks breweries and interesting guest beers. The bar itself is pretty compact, but the barstaff are very efficient so once you make it to the counter you get served quickly. However, there is also an upstairs room with more seating which is usually much calmer (and also a back door to a rather dingy alleyway if all else fails). Justifiably voted CAMRA Greater London Pub of the Year 2010 last month, but probably best to go at a quieter time of day if you can.

Reviewed by Just a quick pint, then I'm off on 21^st August 2010 - rating: 8
[User has posted 1242 recommendations about 1242 pubs]

One of the best real ale pubs in Central London and very convenient if you are visiting Theatreland.This was my first visit since the landlady Binnie bought out the Punch Tavern tie,and the ale selection from the eight handpumps has greatly improved.Sambrook's ale is always available,Wandle and Junction on my trip and there is also a good selection from The Dark Star Brewery with Hophead,Paradise Weiss,American Pale ale and Over the Moon all available.The other two handpumps had White Horse Village Idiot(later replaced by Sharp's Proper Job) and Boggart's Dark Mild,so there was an excellent range of beer styles,something for everybody.All beers sampled were in excellent condition and around the £3.10-£3.20 mark very reasonable for the location.The decision to feature a lot of brews from Dark Star was spot on IMHO ,as this is a small brewery which produces excellent ales across a wide variety of styles with many seasonal offerings.The barmaids were,as always, uber efficient and no long wait at the bar even at 6pm on a hot Friday evening and there is room to spill out of the front door and at the rear where a passage leads between Chandos Place and St Martins Lane,a good place for vertical exterior drinking free from traffic fumes.As mentioned below the interior is small with bar stools and drinking shelves and three breakfast bar type tables but up the steep stairs past the loos there is a quiet upstairs room with small leather chairs and some tables overlooking the front.Sometimes reserved for private function but worth checking out if your legs are giving out.This is a pub worthy of an extended session and has a friendly and homely atmosphere.A good selection of real cider and perry this is drinking heaven.An absolute gem and a must visit in Central London.

Reviewed by Bucking Fastard on 19^th July 2010 - rating: 10
[User has posted 229 recommendations about 229 pubs]