The Union Tavern, WC1

Official site of The Union Tavern - uniontavernlondon.uk

Bar / restaurant with a split level interior. 4 real ales served.

Having visited this pub on just the one occasion I find it extremely difficult to rate. It has an excellent corner location; but difficult to determine that it was indeed the establishment I was looking for in the absence of a traditional pub sign. However the entrance retained what appeared to be the original “Union Tavern” floor mosaics. Some of the interior decor has a Victorian look about it but I have to say that although the bar layout looks Victorian the bar back itself doesn’t. The woodwork might be, but the glasswork appears to be modern reproduction. But I could be wrong. The main part of the establishment forms a well-lit and welcoming restaurant area. I didn’t eat here but the 2-course set menu for £7.90 looks a good bet, and the food the diners were eating certainly seemed worth the money. But the bar area wasn’t particularly inviting – in my view. I found the dark grey/taupe colour of the walls quite depressing. There were two handpumps – the Pride was off; the only other choice was the Greene King IPA of which I had a half for £1.50 (£3.00 a pint?!) which I thought was pretty expensive for, at best, an average beer. So, as a restaurant it looks good, but as a pub it doesn’t score highly with me.