George IV, WC2

Along with Ye Old White Horse just around the corner this is one of three pub venues all owned by the London School of Economics (LSE), and within the boundaries of the expanding LSE campus. The third, The Three Tuns although sounding and looking like a pub is actually the LSE student Union bar and is not open to the general public, therefore not on this site. The George IV on Portugal Street is a decent single bar corner pub as described below which, being owned and run by the LSE, is a popular student hang out. I was by some way the oldest person when entering to find London Pride and Tribute as the available beers on the four pumps with the Tribute at a student friendly £5.70. IT was OK but I didn’t feel fitting into the target demographic and felt much more at home in Ye Old White Horse around the corner in St Clements Lane WC2A 2HA literally round the corner which although being owned by the LSE is leased out to a proper old school guvnor who has no truck with student discounts and attracts a much more mature crowd

This was my first visit to a pub i really should have visited before, considering that I worked in the area for many years. There were four handpumps, but just one in operation dispensing a not particularly good London Pride (£2.50 a half). Some reasonably priced (£5.50 a pop) sarnies on the menu featuring traditional favourites such as ham and cheese. The massive London School of Economics sign above the bar counter gives a clue as to the regular customer base. Seating is a mix of a few tall tables/tall stools and normal tables and chairs. There are some interesting features such as the Lincrusta style ceiling, arched windoes (although the glazing looks modern), arched mirrors on the right, but with more modern glazing, and an attractive marble surround fireplace on the right. It was desperately quite mid-afternoon on a Monday with just me and a couple of young lads in there. To be honest, it's not the sort of pub I'm likely to make a regular haunt. Card only payments.

Traditional corner pub with an almost square bar, staple-shaped counter at the back, high ceiling, large windows on both sides and mirrors on the other wall. Notable for having a limited number of tables, although the bare-boarded floor started to fill up with late-afternoon drinkers (a mix of mostly students and staff, I would guess) shortly after I arrived. Rocking Rudolph was on one of the four handpumps, but this expired during the pour, just leaving 6X (£4.25) as the only other option.

Official site of George IV - info.lse.ac.uk

Official site of George IV - info.lse.ac.uk

The LSE sign is still over the bar but no students in this afternoon. No beer of any note but I'm awarding an extra point for Blackthorn cider which I haven't seen for years. Far lighter than Ye Olde White Horse round the corner as well. Hang on, some students have just walked in - time to go!!