St Stephens Tavern, Westminster, SW1

Tris C left this review about St Stephens Tavern

A grade II-listed building and a CAMRA listed interior of Regional Importance, this pub dates from 1875 and is situated in the shadow of the Palace of Westminster and especially St. Stephen’s Tower, home to Big Ben. Having been renamed Elizabeth Tower, I’m surprised the pub hasn’t followed suit, but there are plenty of existing Queen’s Head hostelries.
There’s a massive amount of spectacular wood carving with much etched and cut mirrors and glass; the carpeted floor is now modern bare boarded. There’s a lot of avocado green studded banquettes, with low Britannia-style tables and matching chairs - perfect for smashing your knee against - and a lot of dark wood field panelling to walls; lighting comes from an extraordinary amount of hanging brassware. A unique point is that the pub has a remote Division Bell, so MPs can neck their pints in time to vote.
Ales: clumsy staff were dishing out Tanglefoot, Fursty Ferret and Badger Best at a decent £5.15 and as good as one has any right to expect.
The interior is clearly spectacular, warranting a visit in its own right, but service is poor as is the bar staffs’ English. The beers aren’t to my taste really, agreeing with BF. With all the noisy tourists and restless children, I doubt I’d return.

On 2^nd October 2021 - rating: 7
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