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A Short Crawl from Clerkenwell to Bloomsbury
by Edgar Belka
Working near Old Street, and delivering Full Pints to a number of pubs over in Bloomsbury, I tend to pass, and pop into, a number of pubs in both the Clerkenwell and Bloomsbury areas. I made the following notes while walking this route in late February.
The starting point is a fair distance from Old Street station, so I would suggest using Barbican or Farringdon stations, or catching a bus from Old Street station down to Clerkenwell Road. From the junction of Goswell Road and Old Street head west along Clerkenwell Road and take the first right down Berry Street. The first pub is on the corner with Great Sutton Street.
Sutton Arms, 15 Great Sutton Street, EC1V 0BX
Flowers IPA, Everards Tiger, London Pride.
I chose this pub as my starting point as it sells Everards Tiger. The pub itself has been recently refurbished, giving it a more up-market feel, and bringing in some welcome daylight. The pub can get crowded Friday evenings, and on mid-week evenings when the football is on; the pub has two wide screen televisions at each end of the pub.
Head down Great Sutton Street to St John Street, and turn right. Continue until you come to a pedestrian crossing. Cross over and go through the alley. Turn right at the end of the alley into Woodbridge St. The next pub is up on the left at the junction with Sekforde Street.
Sekforde Arms, 34 Sekforde Street, EC1R 0HA
Youngs Bitter, Special and Winter Warmer.
Formerly a Charrington pub, this corner pub is a pleasant retreat, tucked away in the back streets near Clerkenwell Green. It never seems too crowded, and is always welcoming. I was served an excellent Winter Warmer on this visit.
Continue to the end of Woodbridge Street, and follow Skinner Street around to the London Spa. Keep going across the top of Exmouth Market to Roseberry Avenue. Across the junction on the corner with Tysoe Street is the next pub.
O'Hanlon's, 8 Tysoe Street, EC1R 4RQ
Slater's Top Totty; O'Hanlon's Red Ale, Blakelys Number One; Fullers London Pride, Chiswick.
Although no longer called O'Hanlon's (the pub is currently unnamed) this pub strongly features the O'Hanlon's beers. In addition to normally having two O'Hanlon's beers on hand pump there is O'Hanlon's Dry Stout, Port Stout and Wheat Beer on keg. In my opinion the quality of beer has definitely improved. On Thursday evening there is usually some traditional Irish live music.
Head along Tysoe Street, and walk clockwise around William Square. Turn left down Margery Street, cross Farringdon Road at the traffic lights, then head up Calthorpe Street to the next pub.
Pakenham Arms, 1 Pakenham Street, WC1X 0LA
Fisherrow Hopping Mad, Nut Brown Mild; Slater's Bitter, Premium, Top Totty; Fullers London Pride; Oblivion.
This is an improving pub that now boasts up to seven real ales. It can get crowded, especially when the football is on. Popular with the postal workers from nearby Mount Pleasant. Food is available at all times.
Exit the pub and head to the left and along Wren Street. This will bring you up to the next pub on the corner with Gray's Inn Road.
Calthorpe Arms, 252 Gray's Inn Road, WC1X 8JR
Youngs Bitter, Special, Winter Warmer.
This is a friendly corner local popular with locals and staff from neighbouring offices. A previous North London Branch "Pub of the Season".
From here turn left along Gray's Inn Road, and right at the traffic lights into Guildford Street. Keep going until the fourth turning on the left, which leads you into Lambs Conduit Street. On the left is the next pub.
Lamb, 94 Lambs Conduit Street, WC1N 3LZ
Youngs Bitter, Special, Winter Warmer.
This pub is a Grade II listed building, with original Victorian snob screens around the bar. It also boasts a working music hall 'polyphon' which can be played for charity events.
Continue down Lambs Conduit Street and turn left down Rugby Street. At the end of the street, on the corner with Great James Street is the next pub.
Rugby Tavern, 19 Great James Street, WC1N 3ES
Shepard Neame Master Brew, Spitfire, Early Bird, Bishops Finger.
Recently refurbished after changing hands from Fullers, this large island bar pub is popular with locals and office workers. Food is available lunchtimes and evenings, and the upstairs room can be booked for parties and functions. There is a seating area outside which is pleasant in the summer.
Now head straight across the paved area to Northington Street, and down to the final pub, on the junction with John Street.
Kings Arms, 11a Northington Street, WC1N 2JF
Bass, Green King IPA, Old Speckled Hen.
A friendly and quiet corner pub that retains a number of features from it's days under Charringtons.
From here you can back-track to Guildford Street, and turn left to get to Russell Square. Alternatively continue to Gray's Inn Road and get a bus, or walk down to Chancery Lane.
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 9.
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