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Image posted by Just a quick pint, then I'm off
Submitted on Monday, 15th November 2021
With picture contributions to 9888 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Red Lion, SW1
SW1
SW1Y 6JP
Reviews of The Red Lion (Average Rating: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Red Lion
A true must visit and rightly listed by CAMRA as a historic pub of national importance.Operated by Fullers ,it's small but perfectly formed and so traditional.The front bar has a non opening door marked as Public Bar and it's quite basic but drift around to the rear of the island bar to get the full deal.Great traditional door with etched glass gives way to a space with an elegant curved bar,embossed mirrors ,wood panelling with a drinking shelf and bar stools to pitch down on.A small flatscreen was showing the 6 Nations but at low volume and it did add to the feeling you were in a friendly local.
Ale choice on my visit was from Fullers portfolio namely London Pride,Seafarers and HSB,Dark Star Hophead and Pacific Dawn IPA (NBSS 4).There is an upstairs room which was roped off and a very low ceiling on the descent to the gents which only added to the experience.
A very fine example of a small London boozer,make sure you visit it when in the area.
On 20th March 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Red Lion
On 25th August 2018 - rating: 7
A first in here the other night and I can't add anything to the earlier reviews.
However, it's a Fuller's pub and their beers are hardly Full o' flavour - I can't tell the difference between Pride and Doom Bar, ESB being too strong and sweet for a session ale.
The other problem is that this pub's tiny; any more than ten drinkers and it's utterly rammed, and I mean *rammed*. So full, that it's not just getting to the bar that's a challenge but moving; trying to reach the lavs or even eventually leave are exasperating ordeals.
This pub is a must-visit but if I hadn't been in a group I wouldn't have bought a drink, just stuck my head in the door then moved on - the pub is high on visual attractions but in terms of usability it's a dead stick.
--------------------------
A return the other night to an altogether far quieter pub with just four other customers, which is actually quite a crowd given the size, though it still gave me the chance to take in the fabulous ceiling as well as the stunning etched mirror panelled walls, which are some of the best I've ever seen, fully justifying this pub's place on CAMRA's inventory of pubs with stunning interiors, this being of National Importance; a must-visit, the score upped accordingly.
On 1st October 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Red Lion
Another revisit to this fine pub found it in rude health on a mid week early afternoon and the beer range is now improved by inclusion of at least one Dark Star offering which was a well kept Dark Star Hop Head to go alongside the usual Fullers suspects of Pride, ESB, Oliver's Island and Gales Seafarers.
Remains one always worth detouring from Piccadilly Circus to find.
Original Post: 11th February 2010
One of London’s classic pubs. A wonderful Victorian treasure hidden down a backstreet in St James just off Piccadilly. Fantastic décor and superb display of Victorian glasswork which gets it into the Camra inventory of unspoilt pub interiors.
As Strongers says, used to be a Nickolson house with a regular changing list of beers. But it was bought by Fullers in 2009 and although it still dispenses up to six beers these are usually all from the Fullers range and although they are well kept and as much as I also like Fullers beers, I feel this gem has lost a little by not also having beers that you cannot find in several other London hostelries. Still worth a visit though.
There are two small bar areas either side of the central serving area. Doesn’t take a lot in to make it extremely busy, so probably be prepared to stand. But it is worth it for the décor alone.
On 24th August 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
View more reviews of The Red Lion (17)
Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
- Official site of The Red Lion - www.redlionmayfair.co.uk
- Randomness Guide to London - Red Lion entry
- Facebook - The Red Lion
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Red Lion - whatpub.com
- Historic Pub Interiors - pubheritage.camra.org.uk
London Victoria, 1.26 miles, 24 min walk (show)
London Victoria, 1.26 miles, 24 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Car Park : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Darts : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Function Room : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Live Music : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No - not technically! - last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Quiz Night : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
- WiFi : Yes last updated 26 November 2015 by Quinno _
