The Seven Stars, WC2

Official site of Seven Stars - www.thesevenstars1602.co.uk

Official site of Seven Stars - www.thesevenstars1602.co.uk

Dating back to 1602, though probably rebuilt in the 1680s, this is a fantastic old little pub and one of my favourites for over 20-odd years. I can't add much to that below: The pub is presided over by the robustly constructed no-nonsense Roxy Beaujolais (née Jean Hoffmann) with her neon-pink hair and sidekick Ray Brown, a black and white replacement for the inscrutable Tom Paine who died in 2011. Indeed the pub can get cramped and the staircase is extremely precipitous, becoming more so the closer you get to closing time. The food is very good indeed (as are the Bloody Mary's) and is prepared in a tiny student kitchen next to the gent's loo, which in turn is next to the office. The pub is populated largely by lawyers and the occasional tourist. The staff are generally efficient rather than effusive and the beer is always well kept; the pub would appear to be a free house - it's no longer owned by Fuller's. A word of warning: the bowl on the bar which would appear to contain bar snacks is in fact Ray Brown's dinner. This pub is very much worth a detour and is a must-visit if in the area.

Why would you not want to go to one of the few buildings to survive the fire of London. Have a pint in a place established in 1602. Small, interesting interior. Watch the door in case the much loved cat bolts. Doombar was in fine fettle last night. Worth Seeking out.

This is an excellent little pub, hidden away slightly but easily reached from Fleet Street and Holborn. Dating back to the 1600’s (1602 if you believe the date on the front of the pub) you can enter through one of two etched front doors which are signposted with the unusual terms ‘General Counter’ and ‘Private Counter’. Both take you into the same shallow but wide bar area with the servery in the centre of the back wall and a narrow strip of room opposite with a drinking ledge and a couple of cramped tables. The whole place is fitted with dark wood including the bar back which features some subtle glasswork and an integral clock. A patterned ceiling with criss-crossing beams makes for an attractive feature, especially as it is lined with hops, and there is a fireplace to the left of the bar with a small stove inside and a collection of books above and an eclectic display cabinet to one side. Several large mirrors can be found throughout the pub, as can some ancient cinema posters for long forgotten movies. The right hand side of the pub has a nice dark panelled seating area with old pictures and photos on the walls and an enormous brewery mirror. A small area to the left, apparently known as the ‘Wig Room’, was in darkness on this visit, but seemingly allows room for a few more tables, although invariably most punters spill out onto the pavement outside. The bar staff seemed very friendly, despite me being the last punter to leave late on a Friday evening. My late arrival meant that most of the beer had gone when I arrived, with four turned pump clips and only Adnams Broadside still going at £3.90 a pint. I thought the Adnams was in pretty good shape and enjoyed supping it whilst listening to a bunch of sloshed Geordies discuss the existence, or otherwise, of God. This is a very atmospheric, authentic boozer that remains mercifully unchanged and is all the more worthwhile visiting for it. I was lucky to arrive at a time when the crowds were thinning out, as I can imagine a visit at peak times would present problems, but based on this visit, I’d be happy to return.

This is a great pub, one of my favorites. It may not be to eveyones taste but its quirkyness suits my sense of humour as well as my appretiation of a truely historic traditional pub. the beer range is nowhere near the best in London or even this district but Darkstar is good enough for me anyday. Its a good place to be.