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Detail Pages
The Devereux, Temple, WC2
The Strand
WC2
WC2R 3JJ
Pub Type
Taylor Walker (Spirit Pubs)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Devereux
After a period of closure this one was reopened under independent ownership in 2019. Looks like it got through the pandemic OK as both the pub and the courtyard outside were packed with thirsty after work punters when I paid it a visit the other evening.
Haven’t been here for many years and its clearly been done over since I was last in and is a wooden floored internal space in sections around the main bar with the usual pastel colour scheme and some nice individual boothed tabled sections around the edge separated by wood panelling.
Four handpumps on the bar but two of these were badged with St Austell Tribute, the third with Old Speckled Hen and the fourth unused. The Tribute was in good condition but due to its position literally around the corner from the Edgar Wallace I’m unlikely to choose this one over other options nearby.
On 29th March 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2109 recommendations about 1991 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Devereux
Not visited for 7 years, but a regular haunt at the time, this was a decent, carpeted backstreet boozer which one wouldn't expect to find in the heart of London's legal district. A tiny lav, carpeted, conventional furniture to the rear with some taller stuff towards the front and a very friendly and welcoming landlord. Perhaps it could have done with a lick of paint but otherwise this was a decent, simple pub.
On 30th March 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1982 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Devereux
Being flogged by Greene King as 'unviable' (as if!). Closes Feb 26th
August 2011
Popped in here on my way to the Edgar to see what I may be missing. Tucked away in a narrow courtyard away from any main rod at the edge of the Temple, the building dates from 1676. The L-shaped interior is a rather sterile affair and quite chainy, all stripped wood and neutral colours. That said, it was spik and span and there was the odd interesting touch – the intricate cornices the large curtain pulled back to divide the two dining areas and a few semi-booths. Four ales to choose from – TT Landlord, Youngs Special (or was it Ordinary?), Viking (that’s what my notes say, anyway) and Woodefords Wherry. I sampled the latter and at £3.50p/p was a bit steep but the quality was very good indeed. The menu looked reasonably priced with standard mid-range pub cuisine advertised. No world beater but a decent place that is aimed squarely at the local employees of the law firms in the vicinity. If you’re nearby, it might be worth poking your head through the door to see what’s on. Rated 6
On 11th February 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Devereux
Tucked away from the main drag the pub is now under the Greene King branding. 5 real ales and food served.
On 25th November 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Devereux
A nice enough basic TW pub, with an enthusiastic barmaid, as we perused the four ales on the bar. The pub wasn't overly busy, compared to it's neighbours, on our visit. The best choice, beer wise was the Truman's Runner and have to say that wouldn't inspire you to stay.
On 29th July 2015
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Devereux
Re-branded as a Taylor Walker house since my last visit over five years ago, but little else seems to have changed in that time. Usual sort of traditional London pub furniture and decor, with plenty of dark wood around. The main part of the bar is in the upper section of the 'L'-shaped layout, supplemented by the upstairs Templar Room for those dining. Only three of the five handpumps were in operation this time, with Doom Bar, Tribute and a decent pint of Truman's Runner (£4.25) on offer. Overall, not a bad place, and being slightly more hidden away than some of its better-known neighbours you have a fair chance of finding a place to sit if you call in at a busy time.
On 1st February 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Devereux
This pub is essentially unchanged from PSM’s visit about a year ago. I visited on 31 Oct so, like in PSM’s experience, Hallowe’en tat was everywhere. Taylor Walker seem to have really bought into the Hallowe’en experience which might well be appreciated in some of their pubs, but I expect that it’s totally wasted in this pub which is in the very heart of The Temple’s legal-land. Harmless enough I suppose. But this pub is tucked away in a fairly quiet and peaceful area a stone’s throw from the madness of The Aldwych, and with the delightful Fountain Court through a doorway to the front of the pub.
There were five ales on when we were in there – Hobgoblin (on in every pub we visited on 31 Oct!), Doom Bar, Young’s London Gold, Oxford Ales Trick or Treat, and Colchester No1 (£4.05 a pint). Taylor Walker seemed to have moved away from the glossy menus they’ve favoured in the past, as both TW pubs we visited that day had single sheet menus attached to clipboards. The food wasn’t overly inspiring, but fair enough for the area I suppose. The Big Ben Burger is £10.99, and the cod and chips £11.99.
The pub itself is a standard enough Taylor Walker affair, with the same range of furnishings you tend to see in them all, but this one was surprisingly quiet at lunchtime and actually quite comfortable. I’ve visited here several times in the past, and will no doubt end up in here again sometime.
On 2nd November 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Devereux
Nice tidy pub with a good range of beers for the less adventurous.Always found the bar staff friendly.Gets quiet later on in the day whe the commuters have left.
On 27th March 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Devereux
Smart high ceilinged formal pub, tables around a central bar, wood floors, dimmed lights, dark wood, dark red and dark green walls with various portraits and photographs on the walls.
Altogether nice and clean if nothing spectacular.
5 real ales, includingSambrooks Wandle and 'Great British Pub Food'
Part of the Taylor Walker collection of pubs.
On 30th January 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Devereux
This pub is nicely tucked away in an otherwise unassuming courtyard close to the point where the Stand meets Fleet Street and just a short stroll from Temple tube station. The building stands on the former site of Essex House, home of The Earl of Essex, Robert Devereux, after whom the pub is named. Having traded for many years as the Grecian Coffee House, hosting members of the Royal Society such as Edmond Haley and Isaac Newton, the building was eventually converted to a pub in 1843 and now trades under the Taylor Walker brand. The interior comprises a fairly unremarkable single L shaped room with wooden floorboards and padded bench seating running around the perimeter. The walls have been painted a dark shade of red and there is some fancy wallpaper at the rear of the room, all of which combines with the muted lighting to create a warm and cosy ambiance. There are quite a few old paintings and portraits dotted around the room as well as some black and white photos of the local area above the servery and a pub mirror on the back wall with some book shelves above. In the far rear corner there is a small carpeted area with some standard tables and chairs, perhaps best suited for those wanting food, although no-one was eating on my early evening visit, which might be explained by the pricey and somewhat uninspiring menu (fish and chips for £11.50). Music played quietly throughout my stay and, given that my visit was in late October, there was Halloween related tat everywhere you looked.
Four hand pumps were dispensing Wytchwood Hobgoblin, Orkney Dark Island, Hook Norton Hooky Bitter and Young’s London Gold. The very friendly barmaids were quick to serve me, although they did offer up what I reckon must be the most woefully short measure I’ve ever been given. Thankfully a top up was easily obtained and I was left to enjoy a lovely pint of the Dark Island.
It’s always nice to approach a pub with little or no expectations and leave feeling fully satisfied by the time you spent there, and this was certainly the case with my visit to this pub. It might not be at the top of anyone’s list of ‘must do’ pubs, but it is a pleasant place to spend time over a well kept pint and is worth consideration if you’re visiting some of the higher profile ale houses in this part of the city.
On 22nd November 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]