A warm, friendly atmosphere in a traditional pub setting. The Bloomsbury Tavern welcomes you to a charming drinking experience.

The Venue
The Bloomsbury Tavern is a small pub appearing unchanged for the last 100 years. The interior is made entirely out of wood and the cosy room upstairs resembles a movie set. The outdoor area, right on the pavement of New Oxford Street, is probably your best bet for a seat – the seating is very sparse here.

On the ground floor, the bar occupies most of the space with a few stools and tables covering what’s left of the floor. Upstairs, the situation is the same, although the room is more elegant and less crowded. The feeling is not of intimacy, more of proximity with your friendly neighbour, which the regulars seem to appreciate.

The Atmosphere
The Bloomsbury Tavern has a stronghold of regulars who love its family-run atmosphere, and the pub is appreciated by very different urban tribes: art students from the nearby college sit alongside goth couples and office workers. No age group seems to dislike it. The pub is loud and it is hard to move because of its diminutive size; however, people keep pouring in, attracted by the cheerful ambiance and rowdy laughter.

The Food
Food is only served at lunchtime and the short menu is almost entirely made up of traditional pub grub. It may sound boring and predictable but the sticking to simple food, including the ubiquitous fish finger sandwich, is what makes this place special. Portions are good, the bread is fresh and the food, whilst not restaurant quality, is tasty. The prices are fair if you consider the area: mains costs £6-£8 and the baguettes (the only deviation from pub-style cuisine) are priced at £5-£8. A few daily specials complement the whole.

The Drink
The Bloomsbury Tavern serves all the usual beers plus a few guest ales (you can vote for your favourite) and interesting brews: Holsten, Bishop, Asahi, Finger, Oranjeboom, Kentish Masterbrew, organic Whitstable Bay and a few others. For a unique experience, order the bottle-conditioned anniversary house beer: 1698 Shepherd Neame. Pints on draught are priced at £2.75-3.55 and bottles go for £3.15-3.35.

Wine is also available: the main vineyards of choice are Boonabura, Mezzora and Anuela, available in a selection of reds, white and rose. However, since traditions are at the core of the Bloomsbury Tavern, beer is the real drink of choice here.

The Last Word
If old time character warms your spirit, The Bloomsbury Tavern is a must visit.

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