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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum

Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Thursday, 25th January 2024
With picture contributions to 12229 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Rugby Tavern, Bloomsbury, WC1
WC1
WC1N 3ES
Served areas
Reviews of The Rugby Tavern (Average Rating: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Rugby Tavern
A very good looking Shepherd Neame tied house on a street corner in an upmarket part of Bloomsbury.Although there's lots of space outside,signs warn you that drinks must not be consumed outside at weekends,I guess because of noise later in the evening.The exterior has some fine tiling and three doors while the carpeted interior is very traditional and winds around a central servery.Lots of wood panelling,bench seating with circular tables and stools ,bar stools and a very fine Shep's mirror above a gas fire.There are two flatscreens for terrestrial sport but with volume down while at one end around a banquette there is an interesting glass topped table with old Sheps bottles shown off,such a shame the range of ales here are no longer produced by this family brewer.Thai food is served,there is a juke box and background muzak together with seating upstairs.
There are 6 handpumps but the same ale selection of Sheps Spitfire and Whitstable Bay Pale with a guest in Lacons Affinity (decent nick) on my Saturday afternoon trip.
Better than I was expecting ,a very comfortable boozer and worth a squint if passing.
On 21st October 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Rugby Tavern
Standard London corner bar. Shepherd Neame outlet so Spitfire was the order of the day. Average pub.
On 25th January 2017
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Rugby Tavern
An unremarkable traditional backstreet pub with locals and a few studenty types. The barman wasn't overly enthusiastic to serve my but was otherwise OK. A TV was switched on showing the news with the sound down and muted music played.
A pint of Spitfire cost £4.20 which is about the going rate for this kind of pub in this area. Overall this is a bit humdrum and there are many better pubs in the area.
On 14th April 2016
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2209 recommendations about 2166 pubs]
View more reviews of The Rugby Tavern (6)
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- Randomness Guide to London - Rugby Tavern entry
- Facebook - The Rugby Tavern
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Rugby Tavern - whatpub.com
London Kings Cross, 0.89 miles, 17 min walk (show)
City Thameslink, 0.94 miles, 18 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Car Park : No last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Darts : No last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Dog Friendly : Yes - Downstairs only - last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Function Room : Yes last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Karaoke : No last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Live Music : No last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Micropub : No last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Pinball : No last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Pool Table : No last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- Real Cider : No last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra
- WiFi : Yes last updated 09 August 2023 by ROB Camra