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George & Vulture, Bank, EC3
EC3
EC3V 9DL
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about George & Vulture
I have been keen to visit this hidden-away traditional city 'chop house' for decades, but previously I've only ever found it open for diners or closed altogether. However, under new current Samuel Smith's regime, you can pop in for a drink after 17:00 (or earlier if there's a table free). Once through the corner lobby, you find a compact servery in the dark wood-panelled restaurant and a few more tables down some steps to the separate rear room (that was once a small shop apparently). More dining rooms can be found upstairs, but I didn't get to visit those. Just three keg beers on tap: OBB (£6.00), Taddy Lager and the 'Pure Brewed Organic' Lager. So no great shakes as a pub, but the heritage interior retains a great deal of character.
On 31st January 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Tris C left this review about George & Vulture
Once a haunt of the Hellfire Club, it’s claimed that this grade II-listed building goes back to the late 12th century as the George, the basement quite possibly, otherwise the structure is 18th century with a new front dating from the 19th.
Little if anything of the atmospheric and historic interior has changed in the 24 hours since David’s excellent review, the anarchic – for Sam Smith’s – landlord still wearing a reversed baseball cap and subversive – for Sam Smith’s – landlady absorbed by her phone, the personification of bonhomie.
The beer choice has likewise gone unaltered, a half of Taddy Lager at £3.00 a half, me told by the landlady that I was welcome to drink it inside or out.
It’s a pity about the lack of cask beer here – or is it? – which would get the score up at least a point, but like the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, it’s a must-visit City institution, making for a great double with the Jamaica Wine House next door.
On 3rd August 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Komakino . left this review about George & Vulture
Situated in a narrow lane off a square just off Fenchurch Street, right next to its neighbour the Jamaica Wine House, this much-storied ''chophouse" is a Sam Smith's establishment, and is one of their more characterful if not, the most unique. With a tiny box bar that served just three keg beers – OBB, Taddy Lager and Organic Lager – it's cosy; a squarish room with dark wood, most of the floor space occupied with woody tables and chairs and more than its fair share of Dickens-related paraphernalia on the walls; he is said to have frequented, dined, lived and written The Pickwick Papers here. Two upper floors are commandeered for dining (chops et al). There also a tiny snug off the main room. Those in charge are more laid-back than most Sam Smith's establishments (the landlady was on her mobile phone throughout my brief stay) and her landlord husband eagerly told me all about the place, with his backward-facing baseball cap to boot. A keg Old Brewery Bitter was £6.00 for the privilege of a pint's worth. Another storied pub tick, but a middle-of-the-road '5' as it's a victim of its limited size more than anything.
On 2nd August 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1074 recommendations about 1074 pubs]