The Beer Tapestry, Bloomsbury, WC1

Fine old pub opposite the British Museum. Lots of dark wood, on the bar, ceiling and fittings, has a lovely London boozer feel. Shame its where it is as its very busy and a bit pricey at £4 a pint, but the beer is good and atmosphere is better. Proudly advises its a sports free zone.

The Museum Tavern started in the early 18th Century as the Dog & Duck, changing its name when the British Museum opposite was built in the 1760’s. Much of the current pub dates from the 1850’s when the original pub was expanded. The interior comprises of a single medium sized room with a central open bar. There are several features that are worth closer inspection; some of the original etched glass remains with the saloon, luncheon and buffet bars all depicted. Some of the old tiling can also still be seen and the heritage mirrors behind the bar add to the charm. The pub has always had a good reputation but I was a bit taken back to discover that it has now become part of the ubiquitous Taylor Walker brand. The pub does have a slightly more expanded and interesting ale range than the average Taylor Walker pub although the choices did seem quite mainstream for a place that has thrived over the years on a good reputation for its beer. 5 of the 7 pumps were in use on my latest visit, the avaiable beers being Tribute, London Gold, Old Golden Hen, Adnams Broadside and Wooodforde Wherry with Theakstons Old Peculiar and Harveys both off. At £3.65 for the Wherry, I think they are looking to maximize from the tourists who call in after a lengthy slog around the museum. The food is what you would expect from any chain with main courses around £8-£15. Whilst the Museum remains one of the better pubs in the area, I can’t help feel that it doesn’t have that special something that could make it one of the finest in London and whilst in Punch’s custodianship, I can’t think that will change much.

Randomness Guide to London - Museum Tavern entry

Randomness Guide to London - Museum Tavern entry

As reported below, a solid pub dead opposite the British Museum. Formerly a two roomed establishment , but now a single room with the bar area at the front and a mix of seating in the rest. The beers on during my visit this week were unfortunately the usual suspects to be found in the capital (with the exception of the house regular Old Peculiar of course) and included Pride, Harveys Sussex Best, Youngs London Gold and St Austels Tribute alongside the Doombar. But in saying that The Tribute was well kept on my early evening visit and the service was fine, especially as most of the tourists had already left to head back to their hotels.

Absolutely lovely pub both inside and out. Excellent service, tasty food and good selection of Real Ales on tap. Spent New Years Eve here and had a wonderful time with locals and visitors. Thanks for the late night sandwiches after midnight!

I'm always surprised how good the Museum Tavern is considering its location and who owns it. Spirit Group can get it right when they set their minds to it. On a midweek evening the tourists have all gone back for dinner by around seven and you're left with a very pleasant, typically atmospheric London pub with a broad mix of customers. And a broad mix of beers too, Doombar and Otter both in fine fettle lately. If you're in the area at the right time of day you won't do much better.

Immediate warm and convivial feel on entering, a really relaxed feel. Some tourists as referred elsewhere but as museum types clearly a better class. No crass behavior observed! A single room now with a mix of seating but a quick check of the etched windows suggest earlier there was a saloon, public and private bar. The bar along the internal wall has an elegant carved back with mirrors. 6 pumps (5 on at the time) serving Skinners Betty Stogs, Cairngorm Autumn Nights, Pride, Theakston Old P, Sharps Doombar, and Morrissey Fox Blonde Ale. A very pleasant visit, well recommended.

Full of tourists, of course, being opposite the British Museum. But it has retained many original Victorian features – solid wood bar, carved bar back, cut and etched glass. It now comprises just one bar, but like so many Victorian pubs it was clearly subdivided originally. There are doors extant not currently in use, one leading to what was apparently a Private Bar. There‘s always several decent ales on – the Otter Amber looked to be the pick of the bunch when I was in there yesterday. Definitely worth the effort of finding if you’re anywhere in the vicinity of the British Museum.