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Tom Cribb, SW1

36 Panton Street
SW1
SW1Y 4EA
Phone: 02078393801

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about Tom Cribb

This was originally built in 1707 as the Union Arms, to celebrate the Act of Union, rebuilt in 1878 and given the current name in 1962, in memory of the early 19th century boxer Tom Cribb and publican here from 1820 to 1838, whose English Heritage blue plaque can be seen to the Panton Street façade at second floor level.
Situated opposite the…

…Harold…

…Pinter…

…Theatre, this is a very small affair, very traditional with perhaps a more recent bar back, adorned with memorabilia from submariners. Unsurprisingly, the walls are adorned with boxing related prints, ugly Singha bunting and one pointless Perspex barrier remains. The pub was rammed on my Saturday visit, with many men with shaved heads, perhaps former boxers making a pilgrimage; they certainly looked like they knew their way round a ring. I managed to perch at the bar, hemmed in by vertical drinkers, many taking their drinks outside in obligatory plastic glasses. Some customers were a group of young and very rowdy Portuguese, singing away and doing shots. The landlord looked as fed up as me, but rather than deal with it, he let it continue. The lavs must be the smallest I’ve ever seen, with what in effect is a tiny cupboard, with two urinals and basin; there was barely enough room for one urinal alone; I don’t know what would have happened if another customer had come in?
This is a Shepherd Neame joint, so there are no surprises in the ale department, but just Whitstable Bay (clips reversed) then Bishop’s Finger at £5.35 a pint and ok but I’ve had better.
This is a fine, atmospheric pub, but the claustrophobic and loud conditions weren’t conducive to a good experience, so best time your visit wisely.

On 21st November 2021 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1956 recommendations about 1923 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Graham Coombs left this review about Tom Cribb

A small Shepherd Neame's pub opposite the Harold Pinter theatre, with the feel of a traditional local and numerous boxing photos after the eponymous fighter. The muted cream décor and medium wood fittings provides a good antidote to the excesses of the West End. usual Shep's beers in good condition.

On 2nd October 2018 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3322 recommendations about 3259 pubs]


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Bucking Fastard left this review about Tom Cribb

This really is a small corner pub ,with impressive exterior glazed tiles.The interior has small leather bound benches in buttoned back red ,and a few modest sized tables,but seating is probably limited to about 20 people.Pictures of pugilists hang on the walls,there is also a flatscreen with BBC 24 News sensibly on mute.A board describes a food offering of sandwiches and burgers,but on my trip after work there wasn't rooom to swing a cat,let alone eat from a plate.The pub is tied to Shepherd Neame and on my trip the 5 handpumps were dispensing Spitfire,Bishops Finger,Whitstable Pale ,a decent seasonal Late Red with one clip reversed.
At a quiet time the authentic interior would make this a comfortable place to enjoy a pint,but when it's busy the charm leaks away with most punters drinking vertically or spilling out onto the pavement.Time you visit carefully.

On 8th December 2017 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


john gray left this review about Tom Cribb

Small but nice pub just behind Leicester square. Very quiet considering the location.Nice tiled frontage.Only Sheps beers on.Bishops finger-Whitstable bay and Spitfire.

On 24th July 2014 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Tom Cribb

Given how close this Shepherd Neame pub is to Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus, it is a relatively calm and civilised spot for a pint. However, you'll probably be pushing your luck if you expect to find enough table space for food as this single-bar pub isn't exactly spacious. Traditional furniture and decor. Five handpumps, offering Master Brew, Spitfire, Spitfire, Whitstable Bay and the seasonal Amber (£3.95) on my latest visit.

On 8th February 2014 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


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Rex Rattus left this review about Tom Cribb

This pub is named after the notorious 18th/19th century pugilist, who on retirement ran a previous pub on this site called The Union Arms. It’s still a Shepherd Neame pub, with just about the full range of ales on during my visit on Tuesday evening. It possibly does food at lunchtime, but there was no sign of any at 5.0 PM. The main feature of this pub is the original brown tiling on the exterior walls, but inside it all looks far more modern. It occupies a small corner site, and being so small it can get pretty crammed very quickly – when I was in the clientele was mainly tourists, which is to be expected at this time of year in a pub within spitting distance of Leicester Square.
This is a decent enough little pub; nothing very special, but the Masterbrew was in good nick, and at £3.30 as pint as I recall. I’d visit again as long as it wasn’t too crowded.

On 20th July 2011 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]


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Pub SignMan left this review about Tom Cribb

Tucked away down a side street between Leicester Square and Haymarket, this is a tidy and attractive Shep's pub. The exterior, as noted below, is a highlight, with some lovely old tiled walls helping to create a traditional and welcoming feel to the place. As a street corner pub, access can be gained from either side so long as you can make your way past the inevitable overspill of customers who clog up the pavement.
Indoors the seating is a little limited, with some sections opposite the bar and a few more options to the left hand side of the room, including a shelf with high stools. There are some nice old brewery mirrors on the walls and an inevitable selection of boxing pictures and props, provided as a nod to Tom Cribb; the old boxer after whom the pub is named. A plaque outside gives a brief summary of his life story.
Four ales on offer; Spitfire, Bishop's Finger, Kent's Best and Whitstable Bay. My pint of Bishop's Finger wasn't in great shape and was served by a fairly grumpy barman. Prices were typical for this tourist-centric part of the city.
Worth a look for the nice traditional feel the place has and it's certainly preferable to a lot of the bars in the area, but I would only return if I was in the area and looking for a quick drink.

On 7th September 2010 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3102 recommendations about 3102 pubs]


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Malden man left this review about Tom Cribb

An attractive exterior with probably original tiling and colourful hanging baskets, you then enter to a smallish single room with the bar on one side, and traditional banquette and small stool seating around the perimeter. There are also a few stools at a ledge. The impressions gained from the outside continue, clean and tidy, polished wood, and tables cleared and wiped down immediately they were vacated. A sign on the entrance states this is a football free zone, no colours. I don't know if that extends to viewing, there is a TV, at the time showing the Open golf. The TV was muted, and low level background music playing. Decor is almost exclusively in the form of boxing pictures, prints and flyers for various bouts, obviously connected to the pub name. The bar back has the pub name in coloured lettering, and has a few attractive globe lights above.
Shepherd Neame beers, Spitfire, Late Red, Bishops Finger, Master Brew and Kents Best. LR was £3.45.
A real traditional pub feel in a West End side street close to Leicester and Trafalgar squares. Well worth a visit and a real oasis from the crowded streets around here.

On 18th July 2010 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]


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Steve C left this review about Tom Cribb

This is a Shepherd Neame pub on the corner opposite The Comedy Theatre. It is a very small one room pub that has five SN ales available along with their unique selection of draught and my Guinness was on good form and served by a friendly barman. I spotted a small plasma screen which was turned off and there is no sport or background music. The other clientele were of the older generation and although the atmosphere was a little flat this place is ok for a decent pint if passing.

On 5th March 2010 - rating: 6
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]


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Steve of N21 left this review about Tom Cribb

The Tom Cribb is a decent little Shepherd Neame corner boozer named after the bare-knuckle boxing world champion of the same name who ran a now disappeared nearby pub called the Union Arms.
A really nice tiled exterior but nothing really special inside except that it does a very good pint of Bishops Finger and Spitfire in my experience. Its a bit small, and can get a bit busy and claustrophobic when the after theatre crowd piles in.
But if you are in the area between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square then you could do a lot worse than pop in here for a pint..

On 27th January 2009 - rating: 7
[User has posted 2094 recommendations about 1985 pubs]

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