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London is chocka with modern bars that offer all sorts of craft beers, funky wines and experimental concoctions. But in its roundup of the 100 best bars and pubs in Europe for 2025, European Bar Guide favours the city’s more traditional establishments. The list only features two London venues, both of which are among the city’s longest-standing watering holes.
Coming in at number 40 was Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, one of London’s oldest pubs (some reckon the oldest). EBG described it as ‘full of quirks and original character’, awarding it a score of 9.5 out of 10. Beware, though. If you’re known for being a potty-mouth, you’ll have to think before you speak if you come for a pint here – it has a strict no-swearing rule.
A few places down at number 44 with a rating of 8.9 out of 10 was Gordon’s Wine Bar. Residing next to Charing Cross Station, Gordon’s has been around since 1890, making it London’s oldest wine bar. It serves up an exceptional selection of wine, ports and sherries and EBG called it ‘one of London’s finest’.
As two of the capital’s most historic establishments, both in Zone 1, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese and Gordon’s can get more tourist-y than bars and pubs elsewhere. Neither of them made it onto Time Out’s picks of the best bars or best pubs but they’re both quintessential London landmarks and we’re fans nonetheless.
In our four-star review of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, we said: ‘The tourists love it, naturally, for its manifest antiquity and its literary connections: Charles Dickens and PG Wodehouse are just two of those who frequented these dimly lit rooms. Today you can follow their lead for nothing more than the price of a pint of Sam Smith’s beer, and perhaps a meal in the chop room if you fancy some basic pub grub.’
Of Gordon’s we said: ‘When the subterranean rooms are crammed, which is often, it can get distinctly warm in the semi-darkness, but a drink or two here remains a classic London experience.’
You can see the full ranking of Europe’s top 100 bars, according to the European Bar Guide here.
London’s two best pubs have been crowned by the Telegraph – and they’re pretty good shouts.
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