St Stephens Tavern, Westminster, SW1

Atmospheric Hall & Woodhouse pub which was the last stop on our saturday afternoon pub crawl. I have developed quite a liking for Badger beers and pints of Bitter and Pickled Patridge did not disappoint. It remains architecturally a fine example of its type and, in terms of pubs near Parliament, I would say rates higher than the Red Lion around the corner. Predictably, it is busy and none too cheap, but certainly ranks as one of, if not the best, in the area.

Randomness Guide to London - St Stephens Tavern entry

Randomness Guide to London - St Stephens Tavern entry

I didn't know what to expect of this on, being right opposite Big Ben and Parliament Square, but was glad to find there was no 'ye olde' or garish tat about it. Certainly there were tourists inside, me being one, but they don't seem to play to that market at all, more its a lovely upmarket pub that you could almost miss walking down the street. Its on 2 levels and very well looked after, not large downstairs & the bar seems to take up a lot of space due to the shape of the pub, there is a quieter upstairs with leather seats. Slightly pricey as you may expect, the beer (Badger) is good and its in the Good Beer Guide. Well worth a visit.

This pub contains some of the most interesting original Victorian features around (notably the bar back), but it’s just too full of tourists for my liking. Not surprising considering its proximity to the St Stephen’s Tower end of the Houses of Parliament. I’ve nothing against tourists, but I prefer a slightly less crowded pub. Definitely worth seeking out for the excellent interior, but I do not think that I would make it one of my regular haunts. Hall and Woodhouse (essentially Badger) ales, which were fine on my recent visit.

I was lucky enough to wander into here just as a large group of tourists were leaving so there was plenty of space in both of the small downstairs bars. The range of badger ales was ok and Peroni, HB and HB export, Guinness and Dry Blackthorn cider were also available from the cheerful barmaid. If memory serves me correctly there was a little background music, but there were no TVs or other distractions. I don't think that this place really stands out from many of the boozers in the immediate environs, although I would take no issue with popping back in if passing.