The Old Red Lion doesn’t have the hottest location but the warm welcome and comfortable calm is more than enough to make up for it.

The Venue
The Old Red Lion stands on the corner of High Holborn and Red Lion Way, a little out of the way for West End crowds and perhaps not enough pizzazz for the office types that inhabit the area. This is unfortunate because this little pub has a lot of character within its small frame.

From the outside, the brass window ledges frame the pub with a touch of class and the symmetry is rewarding to the eye. The bare wooden floors on the inside are left free from a mess of chairs and tables for customers who like to stand. A ledge runs around the perimeter on which to balance drinks and belongings with stools pushed up against them. The old plaques and mirrors offer decoration but don’t distract from the glorious bar itself.

The Atmosphere
Although its location may not be conducive to a thriving force of booming business, this actually adds something to the atmosphere. A lot of pubs invite depression during their slow seasons, but the Old Red Lion isn’t one of them. The faces that beam back from the mirrors on the bar are weathered and wise, enjoying the introspective quiet of a slow lunchtime pint. Evenings are busy and brisk as the Red Lion roars into life with the addition of the locals and those that work in the area.

The Food
There is an upstairs dining area at the Old Red Lion for those who choose not to display their cutlery handling in the windows. The same menu is served throughout and if it weren’t for the good-natured bar and its staff you’d be tempted to call it a tired one. Also note, food here is only served between 12pm-2.30pm. Steak pie with chips, scampi and chips and sausage and mash are all produced with local ingredients but these dime a dozen dishes are fairly expensive for what is just simple pub food. Expect to pay £7-£10 for a main meal.

The Drink
The pub’s class even stretches to the taps that grace the bar. The brass replaces the branding that flashes across most bars and it’s almost like that pint of Kronenbourg might be a little more special than in the next pub. On the same topic, there is also Fosters, Stella and Carling on draught. There is also a good range of casque ales including Abbot Ale, Greene King IPA, Golden Glow and Old Speckled Hen.

The Last Word
The Old Red Lion is a principled place with integrity for what the traditional pub should be, which makes it a pleasure to drink in.

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