I will be visiting London for the first time from September 5-12 and travelling solo. I will be staying at the St. Giles Hotel on Bedford Avenue & Tottenham Court Road (a couple of blocks west of the British Museum). Can anybody recommend a good, authentic local pub in that vicinity that I can seek out for my evening pint and some good craic, a place not overrun by tourists (like myself!)? I am not interested in a chain pub (if possible) although I keep reading that London is losing her authentic pubs at an alarming rate. I really want to sample some local culture and become as much a part of it as I can. Is this possible in that part of London? Thank you so much. <BR>Elwood the Canuck

Elwood <BR> <BR>I have just looked in the Time Out Good Pubs & Bars Guide for London, and the Angel 61 St Giles High Street sounds quite interesting, it is a short walk away from where you are staying, it is described as a refreshingly unthemed two-bar pub, supposed to be haunted (it is built on the site of a former leper colony) by some of the inmates and by some convicts who were offered their last drink there on the way to the gallows. There are hundreds of pubs in the area, you should go for a leisurely walk around and try out a few, there are still lots of "locals" that have not been taken over by the big chains. Hope you enjoy yourself

Ah pubs in that area. I could write a Phd. There are quite a few good 'uns and a few very good 'uns. However remember that there aren't really "locals" in that area as it is mainly commercial, so the pubs tend to busiest after office hours and get quieter around 8.30, then lively again as the pre-club crowd come out. <BR> <BR>The first one I would recommend is the Princess Louise in New Oxford St. This is a very well known pub, for good reason. It is worth seing for its edwardian decor alone, and the Gents are worth the price of a pint to see. THis gets busy betwenn 5-8pm. It also sells Sam Smiths beers, a rarity in London. <BR> <BR>THe Museum Tavern in Museum street is a pleasant pub, nothing special, just nice.

Sorry, interupted by work, I won't let it happen again. <BR> <BR>Other pleasant pubs are the Cross Keys in Endell St, full of Rock n Roll memorabilia. THere is a pub next to it called the Maple Leaf, guess who goes in there? <BR> <BR>I wouldn't go any further into Covent Garden, it becomes incredibly touristy (and increasingly aimed at a young, noisy crowd). <BR> <BR>Charlotte St is near there, this is a good spot for pubs and restaurants (Including a brilliant Thai in Goodge St, it looks like a canteen but the food is fantastic, and cheap too). Just follow your nose. they're all pretty good. <BR> <BR>You have Soho on your doorstep with some great pubs in it. However be aware that Soho, and in particular Old Compton St is the Heart of gay London. However apart from a few obvious exceptions (you'll be able to tell from looking) the pubs are mixed and friendly <BR> <BR>Fitzrovia is to the north of Soho and again has some gems. Sorry don't know names, but you can't go far wrong. <BR> <BR> <BR>hope this helps.

When I used to work there there were some really good walking tours that took you around London.. <BR> <BR>One particular one was great - I think it was in the city - not sure, but it took us down a mews and we had a drink in a lovely old coach house still with the railings etc and reminants of the past.. <BR> <BR>I still believe these walks are good as they are often hosted by historians and actors - Yes I would recommend them for people going solo and wanting to know London past

Walking Tours <BR> <BR>Yes this is the one.. <BR> <BR>http://www.walks.com/

If I got my act together I would have been able to put this all in one post!! <BR> <BR>SORRY <BR> <BR>www.walks.com <BR> <BR>"THE ALONG THE THAMES PUB WALK <BR> <BR>"the most exciting walk in London...it can do more to interpret the city than anything else, a real skeleton key" <BR> <BR> <BR>7:00 pm Blackfriars Underground, exit 3 <BR>Circle & District <BR> <BR>If you only have time for one walking tour, this is the one to go on - it's the classic London pub walk. It takes in London's last remaining galleried coaching inn, its best riverside walkway, its oldest market, the finest art nouveau pub in England, the church where Harvard University's founder was baptised, and an 18th-century pub that brews its own beer - plus lashings of Shakespeare, a jot of Dickens, lots of pub lore, and London's best skyline panorama. It gets better. Because there's also the recently discovered remains of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (and its sister playhouse The Rose)...and the thrilling and faithful reproduction of The Globe that's risen Phoenix-like only a stone's throw away. Let alone the astonishing replica of Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hinde, the ship that the great Elizabethan mariner sailed around the world over 400 years ago. Anchored there in the murky Thames, its timbers creaking eerily in the misty London night and The Globe just yards away...it's a ghost ship lost in time. Go on this walk. (Food is available.) <BR> <BR>This walk takes place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:00pm. <BR> <BR>Guided by Richard or Steve (on Mondays) <BR>Guided by Emily or Shaughan (on Wednesdays) <BR>Guided by David or Mary (on Fridays) <BR>---------------------------------------- <BR>

It was in '98, but we did both the Thames and the Chelsea pub walks. I preferred the Thames, but both were very enjoyable. You see so much that you would ordinarily not see, except perhaps from a bus window. And you get to sample different pubs....

A pub lovers paradise <BR> <BR>http://www.pubs.com/

Wow! Fast and fabulous replies! Thanks, I'm getting thirsty just reading this. How do I determine what pubs serve 'real' ales? I am new to the English pub scene, which makes it all that more exciting. I am definitely going to take a few of the London Walks as recommended as I think it will be a great way to meet other travellers. I will also check out that pub weblink as soon as I finish this post. Thanks again! <BR>Elwood the canuck

I think David's post above really hit on the answer. You want to find a pub with locals. Therefore you need to get out of the "tourist" areas of London. Find one of the blue collar workers at your hotel, i.e. maintenance or chambermaids and ask them where they go. Chances are it's a good pub.