The Gentle Author’s Piccadilly Pub Crawl
I set out to explore the pubs of Piccadilly in search of some Dutch courage for my MAGIC LANTERN SHOW at Waterstones Piccadilly next Wednesday 5th February at 7pm, when I will be showing around a hundred favourite pictures from these pages and telling the stories of the people and the places. Tickets are free but should be booked by emailing events.piccadilly@waterstones.com Who will join me for a celebratory drink at The Red Lion in Crown Passage afterwards?
The Blue Posts in Rupert St, since 1842
The Chequers in Duke St, since 1839
The Queens Head in Denman Street, a free house since 1736
The Red Lion in Duke of York St ,since 1788
At The Queen’s Head
At The Coach & Horses in Greek St, since 1724
At The Blue Posts, Rupert St
At The Red Lion, Duke of York St
De Hems in Macclesfield St since 1900, formerly The Macclesfield since 1890 and The Horse & Dolphin since 1685
At The Red Lion, Duke of York St
Kings Arms in Shepherd Market since 1660, known as The Jolly Butcher during the Common Wealth
At the Red Lion, Duke of York St
The Golden Lion in King St since 1721. Originally, the pub for St James Theatre next door from 1835, demolished 1957.
The Criterion opened in 1873, this was where Sherlock Holmes first met Dr Watson
St James Tavern, Windmill St
Nineteenth century mirrors of The Red Lion
Hand & Racquet in Orange St since 1865, “A Little Pub with a Big Welcome”
The Red Lion in Crown Passage
Regulars at The Red Lion in Crown Passaage
The Red Lion in Crown Passage is reputed to be London’s second-oldest licensed pub
You may like to read about my previous pub crawls
The Gentle Author’s Next Pub Crawl
The Gentle Author’s Spitalfields Pub Crawl
The Gentle Author’s Dead Pubs Crawl
Vary nice pics GA, hope all goes well on Weds x
Only been in two, possibly three of these!
De Hems, one of the Red Lions & possibly the other one ….
We have been trying to book tickets but have had no reply to an email. Is it sold out?
GA: “Who will join me for a celebratory drink at The Red Lion in Crown Passage afterwards?”
ACHIM: “Would really love to, but too bad: I cannot come to London these days…”
Hope to meet you some day!
ACHIM
Wonderful Victorian/Edwardian glass and mirrors! And good luck with the lantern show. I am sure it will go well.
I spent many evenings at the Blue Posts on 2 vacation trips to London, but I didn’t know it was around in 1842! Cool vibe.
No worries, Lesley! If you emailed, then you are on the list. See you on Wednesday TGA
Some great unspoilt pubs but the Hand and Racquet shows how we should not take them for granted.
my hubby and i went past the hand and racquet at xmas. do hope it finds new life soon. lovely pics – oh my that ceiling at the criterion!
Thank’s…Beautiful really Beautiful..
We immediately booked via email but no response so phoned and got an email today confirming we’re booked ok. We’re really looking forward to the evening!
Best wishes,
Chris A.
I have only recently discovered your website and find it a delight. Yesterday afternoon I went into the Criterion for lunch, taking the idea from your post. Very much enjoyed looking at all the details of the Byzantine features – and imagining Conan Doyle writing about his characters there, not long after the Criterion would have opened. Thank you GA x
Super photographs…
Good Luck for Wednesday!