The Cross Keys, WC2

Official site of the Cross Keys - www.crosskeyscoventgarden.com

Official site of the Cross Keys - www.crosskeyscoventgarden.com

This is a small, single room pub not too far from the crowds of Covent Garden. The bar counter runs along one side of the room, with some banquettes, tables and low stools opposite. The pub is a little wider at the front and far back of the room, which allows a few more tables to be squeezed in. The walls are jam packed full of old paintings and photographs, whilst there is a very impressive collection of brass items suspended from the ceiling, including pots, pans, scuttles, salvers and various musical instruments. Above the bar there is a collection of Beatles and Elvis memorabilia, including a framed napkin once used by Elvis which also has a couple of newspaper clippings about the item's purchase next to it. The front part of the room houses more oddities, including a deer's head, some sort of ornate latrine and a couple of London road signs. There were five hand pumps, but only two ales on offer on a recent Friday evening. Brodie's English Best and Redemption Pale Ale (£3.00) were supplemented by a McCridle's cider and two turned clips, one of which appeared to also have been a Brodie's beer. There are a row of pint pots hanging from above the bar, which means you have to duck in order to catch the attention of the bar staff, who seemed friendly enough. My pint was served in a straight glass however, and I don't remember seeing anyone else drinking from a pint pot. This is a very pleasant pub and the sort of place I could happily spend a lot of time. Its location and size means that it can get too crowded at times, but it's worth persevering and I am sure I will be back here many times in the future.

This place was very busy during my recent Thursday evening visit, but thankfully it was a lovely evening so most of the patrons were standing outside on the wide pavement whilst enjoying the sun. I found the inside of the pub to be very dimly lit with low red lighting and dark furnishings. The walls cannot be seen due to all kinds of knick-knacks, pictures and paintings and there is an assortment of brass and copper things hanging from the ceiling which range from pans to an old divers helmet. I didn’t see any signs for Sky Sports, but there is a plasma screen on the back wall which I enjoyed watching Mexico stuff the Frenchies in the World Cup on. I counted five hand pumps on the bar which were drawing four Brodies ales and Addlestones cider. There is also a standard draught selection and I enjoyed some very nice pints of Guinness which were politely served with a smile. The flower emblazoned frontage suggests that this is a cared for and loved boozer and I think it would be wrong not to pop in again if passing to reward the hard work that is being done.

As mentioned below , The Cross Keys is a small oasis a short walk from Covent Garden on Endell Street. It is a grade II listed building, originally built in the mid 18th century. Outside the picturesque decor is almost hidden by the amount of greenery that adorns the frontage, but fortunately the unusual plaster pub sign shows two cherubs holding the crossed keys of Saint Peter, the keeper of the gates to Heaven, can be clearly viewed. And although that may be too strong a description of what lies inside, it’s still pretty impressive. As described below the interior is dimly lit which makes it difficult to take in the interior, but it is worth letting your eyes acclimatise and have a good look. One bar with a leather bench seat and round table with stools along the left and then the bar serving area to the right. But nearly every space on all four walls is covered with music and film related pictures, paintings, photographs, and posters, with a fair bit of it being related to the Beatles. And then from the ceiling hangs an assortment of copper and brass pots, kettles and musical instruments. There is also an impressive old Isleworth Brewery mirror which deflects a bit more light into the interior. And as mentioned by the reviewer below the Cross Keys is one of the few central London outlets where you can reliably find the beers from the East London Brodies Brewery and on my last recent visit three of the five handpumps had Amorilla, Special and English Best. It can get very busy, and almost impossible to get a seat at busy periods, but on good weather days, like last week the drinkers spill out onto the pavement outside for a spot of alfresco drinking, and then its a more comfortable experience to get served.