Traditional pub attracting students and media types, once a literary haunt for the likes of Orwell.
The building started life as the Fitzroy Coffee House in 1883 and became the Hundred Marks in 1887; renamed the Fitzroy Tavern in 1919, by which time Germanic references were not popular.
Formerly a Charrington's house (and before that owned by Hoare and Co.), the Fitzroy was taken over by Sam Smiths and has recently undergone a complete transformation (along the lines of the Princess Louise in Holborn). A large semi-island bar serves six separate drinking areas, some connected internally. There is a profusion of well crafted etched glass, mirrors, tiles and wood panelling, on which Sam Smiths have really gone to town. Paintings, photos, posters and other memorabilia decorate many available walls. There are two real fires! Even hardened pub-goers should prepare to be impressed.
Fitzrovia, which is said to said to be have been so-named, by Tom Driberg alias William Hickey of the Daily Express, from the pub, had a distinctly bohemian flavour from the 1920s onwards, and the Fitzroy was its beating heart, where Pierrepoint the hangman mixed with Fabian of the Yard, Coco the Clown, writers Dylan Thomas and George Orwell, politicians Nye Bevan and Hugh Gaitskell, comedians Kenneth Williams and Tommy Cooper, sculptor Jacob Epstein and artist Augustus John . . . becoming one of the very few pubs to have its own biography, by the daughter of a previous licensee ("The Fitzroy; the Autobiography of a London Tavern" by Sally Fiber, available second-hand or from a good library).
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Stopped in for a pint. Nice and warm with plenty of radiators, even a fireplace. Beautiful decoration. Very clean toilets. Excellent value. Didn't have any food. Much better than some of the surrounding pubs for value and decor. Great stuff. Would be nice to have a few more on tap options.
Great service and great location. It's a very cute little pub right in the centre. The person who served me was very friendly and welcoming even though it was very quiet. I've taken off a star for not taking amex (a business on Charlotte street can't justify not taking it) and another star for charging for soda water. It's their prerogative, but most places don't and so I prefer the places that don't.
Cosy, traditional, historic, lovely! Even a little fireplace Samuel Smith pub, also nice fruit beers A place we used to come as students whilst studying at UCL, still charming now!
What a find! An oasis of civility and tranquility steps away from the busiest streets of London. Good British comfort food. Very friendly service. The upstairs lounge feels like someone's living room.
If you are looking for a traditional English pub with charm and character then look no further than the Fitzroy Tavern. We visited this place on Thursday afternoon in beautiful sunny weather and sat outside watching the hustle and bustle and had a fantastic time. The building itself is very impressive and the location is very good too. The food is excellent as are the drinks (All Sam Smiths own brewed). The staff are all very pleasant and attentive and I can thoroughly recommend a visit. Mark
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Opening Times
Mon | 12:00 – 23:00 |
Tue | 12:00 – 23:00 |
Wed | 12:00 – 23:00 |
Thur | 12:00 – 23:00 |
Fri | 12:00 – 23:00 |
Sat | 12:00 – 23:00 |
Sun | 12:00 – 22:30 |
Sorry, we don't have any menus listed at the moment.
London W1T
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London W1T
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Step in to discover a traditional pub of unique character, revered for its eclectic range of real ales and its quality pub food, which are served, as they should be, with a generous measure of famous British hospitality.