British Pubs

Where: London, England

When: Many times

With: Many people

In addition to all the tourist attractions it has to offer, I feel like a trip to London would not be complete without stopping in a pub. They are where you'll find true British culture, with locals of all sorts sitting around, enjoying a pint in the quaintest, coziest little places ever. They are simply amazing. 

When I went to study in London in 2003, I was not yet 21. But in England, where the drinking age is 18, this was not a problem, and my flatmates and I could imbibe just like everyone else without even getting IDed. Needless to say, I gained about 10lbs that month with all the beer and cider I consumed. 

The pub closest to the study centre that also luckily had a ton of charm was The Crown. We spent a lot of time in there. 

We even attempted a pub crawl that we failed miserably at (in the age before smart phones) where we would stop for a drink at anything with "Flora or Fauna" in the name. While we found the Hogshead, we failed miserably at finding any other pubs while we wandered. So we just ended up crawling to any pub we could find. 

When Dave and I moved to London in 2011, pubs became obvious spots to bring people that came to visit. Even those that don't usually drink beer couldn't help having a pint when they were in these low-beamed establishments. 

When moving to London, the pubs are the best place to get to know people and make friends. It may be sad to say, but its true: nothing bonds people and creates friendships like sharing a pint, especially with the Brits. I had many, many, many....many...happy hours while over there. But since the pubs close at 11pm, it forces everyone to get home and call it relatively early (most of the time) so work wasn't SO horrible the next day. We had so many good memories in the pubs around the office. 

Dave's business school even had a pub attached to the side of it to encourage class mates to grab a pint after class. More pints, more bonding, more friends. 

At Christmas time, it becomes extra cozy to grab a pint. A lot of pubs will unabashedly decorate their interiors for the holiday in an explosion of tinsel and fairy lights. 

To make it even more festive, they will also serve hot beverages, like mulled wine and cider to make it even more cozy inside. 

And while sitting in a dark pub may not seem like a summertime activity, think again. Most will allow patrons to spill out on the street, or set up outdoor tables to enjoy drinks in the sunshine. 

The local favorite on a hot day is Pimm's & Lemonade. Pimms is a gin-based liquer that is served in a tall pitcher with Sprite, mint, cucumbers, oranges and strawberries to make the most refreshing and delicious summer drink ever. This was one of our favorite days in England when Dave and I were enjoying a pitcher one Saturday and just asked Patricia and Lazar what they were up to, and they simply responded "be there in 5". 

Over our time in London, we had a lot of memorable pub experiences. They just add so much to the culture and each one has its own charm. Sometimes there's dogs, sometimes live music, sometimes hidden doors behind bookshelves, sometimes just simply charming. 

So amongst the museums and churches and historical sites, this is a must add to any tourist's list of must do's. There is something for everyone on any menu to order, sit back, and enjoy English culture.