An example of a unique pub that’s been transformed to become just another tourist attraction.

The Venue
Once upon a time, Ye Olde London was a gothic-themed pub complete with ghost and monster noises and toilet doors disguised as bookcases. They were good times. Fast forward to the present day and it’s just another traditional pub for tourists, which is a real shame. That’s not to say it’s a bad venue. The frontage is pretty in red and gold with period windows and hanging baskets filled with flowers. The bookcases are still there but they’re clearly labelled so you don’t have to grope for the door in a drunken state. And now you have the ugly patterned carpets, large wooden bar and matching wooden tables and chairs of every other mediocre pub in London. It’s made all the more dull courtesy of prints of London all over the walls, clearly aimed at tourists. The beer garden is still a big draw in the summer, though, and if it gets too busy they do have the luxury of an upstairs bar to deal with any overspill.

The Atmosphere
Ye Olde London is a tourist pub through-and-through although you do get office workers popping in on their way home for a cheeky pint. The atmosphere is therefore lacking in the feel of a proper traditional local – despite them trying to emulate one – and the banter is forced rather than natural. Still, the staff do make an effort, and that’s something that should be commended in a place that relies on people traffic from the tourist trade rather than repeat business.

The Drink
There’s actually a very good beer choice at Ye Olde London with a selection of draught pumps in both the upstairs and ground floor bars. As well as the old favourites like Guinness and a few lagers on tap, ales like Doom Bar and Young’s London Gold show why this is a Cask Marque accredited pub. And, for a tourist pub, the prices are actually very competitive for the area.

The Last Word
Ye Olde London is probably doing better business since it became a tourist pub but that doesn’t mean that we can’t lament the passing of its more amusing – and indeed unique – past incarnation.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (2) image gallery (3)