One of
London's oldest pubs is
Old Dr. Butler's Head, a
Dickensian spot named after a quack who claimed to cure
epilepsy by
firing pistols next to his patients' craniums. Located near the
financial district, it's favored by brokers and barristers who pack
in for pints of Shepherd Neame, said to be the first beer brewed in
England.
A friendly new brewpub with old roots is
The Porterhouse,
owned by a family of Irishmen. Built on a World War II bomb site,
it stocks 120 bottle beers and nine on draught. But don't ask for a
Guinness; the owners brew their own Irish stouts.
By the way, tipping is discouraged in conventional pubs. Instead,
buy the barman a drink when you order, as in, "I'd like a bitter, a
lager, and one for yourself." And if you're with a pal or a group,
don't just pony up for your own drink. Pub etiquette holds that you
always buy a round.
"Barman, another round. And one for yourself."
LONDON BAR BEAT
American Bar,
Savoy Hotel, Strand; 011-44-207-836-4343
Anglesea Arms,
15 Selwood Terrace; 011-44-208-749-1291
Claridge's Bar,
Claridge's, 55 Brook St.; 011-44-207-629-8860
The Cow,
89 Westbourne Park Rd.; 011-44-207-221-5400
Detroit,
35 Earlham St.; 011-44-207-240-2662
Evangelist,
33 Black Friars Ln.; 011-44-207-213-0740
The Grenadier,
18 Wilton Row; 011-44-207-235-3074
Library Bar,
Lanesborough Hotel, 1 Hyde Park Corner;
011-44-207-259-5599
Matchbar,
37-38 Margaret St.; 011-44-207-499-3443
Old Dr. Butler's Head,
Masons Avenue off Coleman St.;
011-44-207-606-3504
Pharmacy,
150 Notting Hill Gate; 011-44-207-221-2442
The Porterhouse,