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Detail Pages
George IV, WC2
WC2
WC2A 2HF
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Bucking Fastard left this review about George IV
A very pleasing corner pub,owned by the nearby LSE and with a vast LSE sign above the bar,so popular with their students.Although open plan ,the window frames with etched glass,traditional doors,very fine ceiling and an impressive mirrored wall down one side are all noteworthy but let down by the furniture with lots of high tables around the apex ,more trad elswewhere.The lack of soft furnishing or curtains leads to noise reverberating around .There is an upstairs bar available for hire called the Beavers Retreat for some reason.
The food menu is simple,sharers,sandwiches and soup at student friendly prices ,clearly LSE dont try to maximise profit here.Sadly only two real ales,the ubiquitous Doom Bar and London Pride at a decent £2.65 a half (NBSS 2.5) which is about all I wanted to consume.
Good interior let down by boring real ale.I much prefered the White Horse around the corner.
On 26th November 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Rex Rattus left this review about George IV
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.
On 25th April 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about George IV
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.
On 23rd December 2018
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about George IV
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!!
On 19th October 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about George IV Inn
This pub dates from the mid-19th century and was rebuilt by Hoare & Co. in 1899 and has been managed by LSE Catering since 2005. Not surprisingly, given the location and operator, this is mainly a student pub but a very decent one and far better than the Ye Old White Horse next door. Indeed, the sign that states that members of the public are welcome still persists. This is a large, grand, opened out pub with little décor but quite an ornate ceiling. There was 1 TV showing the news with the sound down and muted music played. Students were in abundance and were surprisingly civilised, though this is the LSE after all. Upstairs is a private bar - The Beavers' Retreat - which I assume is women-only.
Ales: Britannia's Navigation, Greene King's IPA, Sharp's Doom Bar and Perfect Storm which was ok and relatively cheap at £1.90 a half.
Worth a visit to relive one's student days, but I don't envisage myself beating a path to this place anytime soon.
On 7th May 2016
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about George IV Inn
I was standing outside here finishing off my cigarette before entering and I noticed the “open to staff, students and members of the public” sign. It had me scratching my head until I walked in and spotted all of the students and the big “London School of Economics” sign hanging from the ceiling. This was a first for me, but everyone seemed pleasant enough, although there were a couple of strange blokes contemplating which I made a point of avoiding.
The prices are very reasonable and various lagers are available along with Landlord (which was good), Adnams and Bombardier.
My student days are over so I'll probably never drink here again, but I didn't really find any other fault with the pub.
On 28th October 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5233 recommendations about 5201 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about George IV Inn
Before anyone gets all historical about the George, it should be mentioned that this is probably the most “fake” pub in London and I don't particularly mean that in a bad way. The mock Tudor façade is very impressive and one can easily mistake the building as being medieval. It isn't – the current building is Victorian at best although there has been a pub on the site for much longer. A plaque outside provides a potted history of the pub. Its proximity to the Royal Courts of Justice means the customer base consists largely of lawyers, legal teams, alleged criminals and local office workers. The pub is quite spacious inside and is basically one long room, the bare floored front area being divided from the carpeted rear area by a screen. All the features from its fake beams to its deer antler light fittings are all recreations. There are 4 well kept and reasonably priced Real Ales, a decent food menu and friendly staff. It is a bit out of the way from any of the tourist areas but is worth a visit in conjunction with some of the other excellent pubs in the immediate vicinity.
On 11th November 2005
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]