1 What makes a good pub?

As Mayfair attracts many overseas visitors & it also follows the mayfairfoodie website attracts many overseas readers, we thought we would give a brief overview of the institution that is the British pub.

British pubs are unique, the nearest equivalent might be an Irish bar or a New York tavern. Pubs have become very much part of British culture and although always evolving remain the heart of every neighbourhood. The pub scene has been vibrant and thriving for centuries, offering locals and visitors alike a taste of authentic British hospitality.

Brief history of the British pub

The word pub is short for ‘public house’, if you didn’t already know that. It describes an establishment that’s been granted a licence to serve alcoholic beverages for drinking on the premises.

The very first pubs to appear in Britain were actually Roman taverns, which served alcoholic drinks and food. Later, those taverns that had been granted licence to put up travelling guests in their rooms were known as inns. Inns tended to be located in the countryside or along highways, whereas taverns would generally be more central to villages and towns.

The Anglo-Saxons, who inhabited England from the 5th Century A.D. onwards, also brought with them their concept of alehouses, which were somewhat less sophisticated than taverns (of which famed writer Samuel Pepys was an early advocate) but offered the same comforts of drink, company and good cheer.

By the middle of the 17th Century, though, all of these terms had largely given way to the more generic term public house or pub, for short, and that’s how our watering holes are mostly known to this very day.

Why ‘public house’? Well, quite simply, the term helped to distinguish pubs from private residences. Virtually any adult could – and still can – walk into a pub and order a drink. It’s a social term by design and pubs are very much social institutions.

The modern pub is a far cry from the earliest alehouses, which might not have been all that distinguishable from regular homes. This is largely thanks to the advent of the industrial revolution, which saw the production potential of beer grow dramatically over the course of the 19th Century. And the beer-loving population also grew at a similar rate over the period.

This gave rise to the hundreds of purpose-built pubs by the middle of the 19th Century. Architecturally, they began to take on their own style, distinguishing them from regular private houses. Beautifully hand-painted pub signs, which helped customers (many of whom would have been illiterate) to identify the pubs, began to hang outside beerhouses. They would generally (and still do) tend to depict whatever it is they were named after.

Today in Britain there are around 46,000 pubs and although numbers are in decline in recent years you will have little trouble finding a Pub wherever you are Britain.

Pub Etiquette

It seems strange to use the words etiquette & pubs together as general pubs are very relaxed, easygoing places. But just a few things any newbie to the Britsh pub should know.

In mosts pubs you place drink & food orders directly at the bar (since Covid there are a few table service pubs), payment is required when ordering however it is possible to open a”Tab” and they will request you leave a credit card. Its perfectly ok to stand at the bar with your drink or sit at a table. It is possible to reserve tables in advance in most pubs but most seating is on a first come first served basis, The table is then yours for as long as you are eating & drinking.

In the UK, people don’t generally tip for drinks; however for more formal meals (not pub bites) service charge could be added to the bill.

What to Drink

Traditionally Pubs served beers in two sizes Pint (568 ml) or half pint (284 ml), wine is available by the glass (med glass 175ml)& spirits served by an optic measure & single (25ml) is & double(50ml).

Beers

There is a wide choice of different types of beers in most pubs which can be a little daunting when you first walk into a pub, but most barpersons will be happy to explain the choices available & might even be happy to offer a small taster.

Real Ales

The traditional beer of the British pub is pulled from a hand pump. Real ales are brewed using traditional ingredients such as malt, hops, water, and yeast. It is matured in a cask during the secondary fermentation phase and conditioned post that. Real ale is served directly from the barrel. Ales are very different in taste, light, heavy, fruity or bitter. The names of very ales are often a source of amusement.

You could be asking for a pint of

Fursty Ferret, Old Puclier, Tanglefoot, Bishops Finger … you get the idea, so when in a pub please give a Real Ale a go, I can’t guarantee you will like it but they do have there very own taste & indentity so please persevere

Lagers

Lager is the most popular beer served in British pubs, the popular brands are usually European, and most pubs will have 2 or 3 different draught lagers, plus bottle versions.

Stout

You can always tell a good pub by the quality of their Guinness. The most popular stout is Guinness & is available in draught or bottles. Don’t be surprised if the barperson takes a long time serving your Guinness, and in draught, it should be poured to about half full, then let to settle for a few minutes before topping up.

Ciders

The apple-based drink is trendy in UK pubs; you find lots of varieties in the pubs and the last decade, Ciders with fruit flavourings have taken the cider market to a new level.

Traditionalists like their cider flat and cloudy. The county of Somerset is the home of Cider with lots of varieties of scrumpy, the term the locals use for their original brew. Be careful with scrumpy as this innocent looking drink can be extremley strong.

Spirits & Wines

As we mentioned spirits & served by optic measure, you will be asked if you require a single or double. Pubs we have most popular spirits availabe, you willalso find a lot of regional gins available as these are very popular at the moment.

For wine its best to see the wine list & most pubs offer wines by the glass & bottle.

Types of pubs

If you are hungry you will not have any trouble finding Mayfair pubs with food, many focus on food these are often reffered to Gastro pubs. There are “wet LED” pub that only serve drinks apart from crisps & nibbles but these are less popular.

Pubs still are a good place to watch live music, with some pubs operating as music venues, superstars like Rolling stones, The Who, David Bowie and many more started life playing pubs

Finally some pubs will show live sport, in particular football & rugby, on big matches pubs can be rammed with supporters & can be very lively

2 The Crème De La Crème of Mayfair Pubs

The Mayfair foodie has the pleasure of introducing you to our top pub picks that truly represent the area’s finest hostelries, in short, Mayfairs Best Pubs and some of the best pubs in London.

The Guinea Grill

Located in the charming Bruton Place, The Guinea Grill has been a staple of Mayfair’s dining scene for ages. Famous for its delicious steaks in the upstairs restaurant and fantastic atmosphere, this is one Grill you won’t want to miss. I have to give a massive recommendation to the Guinness served as it is the best in class & we would highly recommend a sausage roll to accompany it, I have ordered both many times, all in the name of research.

Guinea Grill has been in Bruton Lane since 1675 but there has been a pub on the site from the 1400’s and might well be the oldest pub in London but also one of the best pubs in London. Its the only pub that I have been greeted by a doorman wearing top hat & tails.

So if you just fancy a pint or you want to experience great British food cooked to perfection the Guinea Grill is well worh a visit. We recently reviewed the restaurant at the Guinea Grill which if you like traditional chop hose food is well worth a read.

The Barley Mow

Although the Barley Mow is a recent addition to the pub scene in Mayfair there has been a pub on the site in Duke Street for years. 

Awarded best pub in London and also won the pub Chef of the year at the national pub and bar awards. Its no surprise this is a popular addition to the pub scene in Mayfair.

The Barley Mow is a proper pub with a traditional wood bar downstairs. There is always something going on in this pub, and serving a lovely selection of traditional pub bites along with good beers, wines, spirits & cocktails. Their house cocktail is the London Negroni; it’s worth a try. 

Upstairs is a silver-service restaurant serving classic British cuisine.

The Audley

Another recent edition to Mayfair, The Audley sits on the corner of Mount Street & South Audley Street. This gastro pub has been carefully restored to the highest standards in keeping with everything that’s good about a “British” local.

Whilst it might not be the first thing you normally do when you walk into a pub but take a second to glance at the ceiling and you will see a  hand-painted collage that was painted & pasted on the ceiling by London Artist Phyllida Barlow.

The bar serves beer from an independent brewer Sambrooks Brewery from Battersea enhanced with a food menu that includes bar Snacks selection (including oysters ) & a range of pub classics dishes

Upstairs is the restaurant Mount Street restaurant serving a fine dining menu.

Ye Grapes

Established in 1882, it was first on the site over 100 years earlier in 1742 as the “Market coffee house” (a very early Starbucks, haha) and then renamed The Grapes in 1782, then renamed again “The Bunch of Grapes” in 1827, before finally being rebuilt & renamed Ye Grapes!! We got there in the end.

Inside, the pub is deceptively larger than it might appear from the outside. It is what you would imagine a traditional London pub to be like with a dark wood-panelled bar with room for people to lean against the bar as is the tradition in pubs in the UK, however, there is enough downstairs seating & an upstairs dining room with a good view across Shepherd Market.

The food offering consists of Traditional English pub food & by way of complete contrast, the pub is famous for its Thai food menu.

The Punchbowl

Oh, The Punchbowl, where do we begin? This famous pub on Farm Street was once owned by Guy Ritchie and frequented by Madonna! Its celebrity associations and traditional British charm make it the place to be. Guy Ritchie still pops into the pub when visiting the area, but don’t say we told you!!

The Iron Duke

Boasting both superb beer and mouth-watering dishes, The Iron Duke is a hidden gem tucked away on Avery Row. This historic pub is known as an easy going friendly pub with a great atmosphere

The Footman

The Footman is one of the oldest pubs in London; the Footman has been in place since 1749. Originally called The Running Horse, later The Running Footman, it was frequented by the footmen who were serving the households of Mayfair. They would run ahead of their master’s coaches in advance and clear a safe passage ahead. As the fashion for footmen dwindled, one bought the pub and named it after himself. 

The downstairs bar has a traditional feel and, from experience, a warm welcome from the bar staff. A bar menu offers pub classics, “light” lunches, and ciabatta sandwiches. Upstairs the restaurant has a full A La Carte menu. The Footman has a comprehensive wine list to suit complement the food menus.

Private dining is available.

You can find The Footman Charles Street just off Berkley Square.

I had the pleasure in reviewing “Upstairs at The Footman” recently so please take a look, as a little treat I have added a pic below of my starter.

The Windmill

Another classic Mayfair establishment, The Windmill, is famed for its pies; it has two pie rooms & even boasts a pie club. In warmer weather, The Windmill has a lovely roof terrace, a rarity in this part of town. You will find this Young’s Pub on Mill Street.

The Market Tavern

Situated within the picturesque Shepherd Market, The Market Tavern is a lovely retreat for a relaxing pint. Admire the quirky décor while tasting their delicious food offering with plenty of dining tables downstairs & an upstairs dining room.

The King’s Arms

One of the oldest pubs in Shepherd Market, The King’s Head invites you to take a break and soak in the character of its 1735 origins.

Coach & Horses (Bruton Street)

With its mock Tudor facade, this pub typifies an old English tavern dating back to the 17th Century. Owned by Greene King (Uk largest brewer) the pub offers value-for-money beer & food.

Coach & Horses (Hill Street)

Coach & Horses on Hill Street dates back to 1744. Situated on Hill Street just off Berkley Square. A lovely traditional pub with plenty of character

The White Horse

Finally something different, Mayfair’s first wine-led public house from the award-winning team behind Hedonism Wines & Hide restaurant. Tucked away in White Horse Street (no clue how they named the pub) and just a very short walk from Shepherd Market this is something different offering private wine tastings in the basement bar.  Wine takes centre stage as you would expect from our friends at Hedonism who are never afraid to be different. Don’t worry beer lovers, a full range of ales is on tap. The food menu  is equally impressive 

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3 The Great British Pub Grub

We’ve encountered some absolute gems when dining in Mayfair; by ‘gems’, we mean the divine British pub grub in the area. Whether you’re a fan of a hearty Sunday roast or can’t resist good old fish and chips, there’s something for everyone here in Mayfair. Thai food is offered in Ye Grapes, oysters & cockles at the Audley, and silver service menus at The Barley Mow & Guinea Grill.

Of course, if you are looking for a light bite most of the pubs serve British classics of Scotch eggs, sausage rolls or even a fish finger sandwich. Gone are the days when British pubs only offered a cheese roll or packet crisps.  Nowdays there are many pubs in Britain boasting Michelin Stars

Mayfair pubs do lead the way in pub cuisine & have taken their food offerings to another level, whilst still maintaining that classic neighbourhood pub feel. We are happy to advise you on the best pub to suit your need if vising Mayfair, just pop us a message.

Take a look at our guide to Mayfair pubs with Food.

4 Map Your Mayfair Pub Crawl

Hopefully the above has given you the urge to plan a pub crawl of the area. Whilst visiting all the pubs in one afternoon or evening might be a little ambitious & a little damaging to your liver,  we hope this gives you the flavour of the pubs in Mayfair. I know we are a little biased but Mayfair really does offer a fantastic choice of truly great traditional British pubs

Finally, if you would like to go on a walking tour of Mayfair, the Mayfair foodie offers a culinary tour of the area taking in some of the classic pubs featured above. It would be great to meet on our next tour. Along with great pubs Mayfair has great coffee shops and as you would expect from the Mayfair Foodie we reviewed then here and come up with our guide to the best coffee shops in Mayfair

Please let us know about your favourite pubs in Mayfair London.

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