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Detail Pages
The Cross Keys, WC2
WC2
WC2H 9BA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Cross Keys
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.
On 6th July 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5249 recommendations about 5217 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Cross Keys
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.
On 26th June 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Cross Keys
This pub is now (I believe) leased by Brodie’s Brewery. Anyway, they had three Brodie’s ales on yesterday – Amarillo; IPA; and Red – as well as Black Sheep Bitter and Harvey’s Best. I went for the Brodie’s Red, which is a rich autumn/winter style ale that I rather like, and at the reasonable (for London anyway) price of £3.00 a pint. The pub itself is a fairly small one-roomed affair down Endell St, just a stone’s throw from the hell of Covent Garden. Furnishings consist of round metal-framed tables, coupled with small stools and banquettes. Comfortable enough place to sit and have a drink then. This is one of the gloomiest places I know, in terms of lighting, not atmosphere. There is virtually no natural light getting in from the small window at the front, and the artificial lighting is very low, to put it mildly. There is masses of bric-a-brac covering the walls and over the bar, as well as the more rarely seen feature of a grandfather clock on the wall on the left. Another feature is the Gent’s toilet, which rivals that of the Nell Gwynne in the steepness of the stairs leading down to them. But this is a superb pub, and a very welcome refuge when you have had enough of Covent Garden.
On 4th February 2010
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Cross Keys
Pleasant oasis close to Covent Garden. Well tended baskets and shrubs to the front. Dimly lit, bar with brass footrail to one side with the majority of seating opposite. Full of assorted bric a brac, everything imaginable in brass, a couple of old street signs, plenty of Beatles memorabilia over the bar, pics, album covers and discs, (is there a connection?), and the aforementioned dark wood panelling covered in portraits,landscapes, cartoons and caricatures. There is even a deers head.
Dimpled pint jugs hang from hooks over the bar, but I didn't spot anyone drinking from one.
Brodies IPA and Special, Crouch Vale Brewers Gold plus one pump reverse clipped, additionally a real cider, Janet's Jungle Juice, 6%.
Busy and chatty Saturday afternoon, I just sneaked a seat as a couple left after I got my pint. No sign of a TV and music playing at a very low volume.
In all a nice spot, but a touch too gloomy to read my book.
On 1st March 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about The Cross Keys
Harveys Best, Brodie's IPA, courage, first 2 in good nick. Dimly lit interior, carpetted, dark wood bar along rt, row of wood/cast iron tables to left & rear, leather backed studded banquettes, cushioned stools, a few barstools. Lots of old photos & cartoon caricatures above bar surround, and opposite walls completely covered in a variety of framed prints but it really is too dark to appreciate all of this. Lots of copper/brass artefacts hang from ceiling beams – pots, horns, divers helmet, paella pan – characterful, but you wouldn't want to be responsible for dusting the place. Most seats were taken Sat pm, but still room to stand & enjoy a pint at the bar.
On 28th October 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]