The Nell Gwynne

Cozy pub off an alley in an otherwise crowded part of London. All the bartenders were ladies, which I dug. There seemed to be locals and tourists alike, and the juke box was a main attraction for a couple of people who were drinking there.
The bathroom is so, so small and down a narrow staircase. Consider yourself warned!

We enjoyed it but it was a little shocking that last call was at 11pm. It’s a bit of a dive and we were totally lured in my the sign (will post). The bartender was a friendly bloke from Ireland and even took the time to guide us through a short cut back to the hotel. I did not notice any urine smell, the restrooms were clean. Would I go back? Probably not on this trip but it’s not a bad little place.

Great pub with a decent selection of beers and ales. The size and look seems to put some people off, and to be honest this is a good thing, as it is tiny, and can barely cope with the people who currently use it. The alleyway gets used a lot because of its size, even in winter, but at times can smell of piss. They show sport when its on the telly, but the real draw is the jukebox, which is probably the best in the west end.

I would never have imagined such a small and slightly grotty pub could exist to near the Strand. That actually gives it a certain charm (my boss would say ‘kudos’ and I would want to throttle him).
Was just serving courage best, but had more pumps, so maybe they serve more sometimes.
Its too small really if the weather is unkind. I happened by on an unusually mild night, which therefore did not rule out the alley outside. Not sure I’d pop back in winter.
Named after a famous mistress of Charles II (
) who was said to frequent the pub (it dates back to 1650).

The sign on the Strand reads «London’s hardest bar (to find)». Well it is, in fact, one of London’s hardest pubs. Up from the Strand through a dingy alley, this rank little pub smells of urine and beer, and no one seems to mind. Inside, it is tiny, dank, and and rough. The barmaids haven’t a clue. It’s a place, simply, to booze and piss. If you want to feel you’ve discovered something, OK. Decent food, atmosphere and beer — no way. The bar wenches here can’t even pull a proper pint. But if you want to smoke in the alley and feel rough, this is a decent place for posers. As with most London pubs these days, the barkeeps are Latvian, Estonian, etc. Have no clue about a half and half or a black and tan This is a little bung-​hole. Give it a miss.

The sign behind the bar says it’s the friendliest free house in the West End. I didn’t see any member of staff smile during my two visits last weekend. It’s very hard to find although there are a couple of small signs on the strand.
I’ll try again next time I’m in London just in case I caught them on an off day.

I am a bit un-​nerved by the previous comment «it smells like a proper pub» because as you enter the building you are hit with a strong aroma of Toilet!!!
It is very dark and the toilets themselves are in dire and dank condition.
That being said, the pub is quite quiet, and you can get a seat, even at 6pm on a weekday. The bar staff are all very friendly and make it very easy to become your local before heading home.

Great and attractive olde worlde pub very well hidden along a little alleyway. It’s intriguing that you can’t properly see it from either end.
Inside it’s really small and dark but has a lovely atmosphere, friendly service and good drinks including real ales.
For me a great find and a change fron the Coal Hole.
Surprisingly not touristy.

I feel bad for the Nell Gwynne because if it was only slightly bigger, I would be well able to give it five stars. The pub is found at the centre of two alleyways, so slither down through alot of scaffolding and find it there. It’s a boozer of the oldest, yet highest order.
It smells like a proper pub, and on a Friday night the atmosphere is rolling. The smell is natural, and the lights are coated in redshades, with candles on all of the tables. It manages to create a real atmosphere, and I do like the fact that this pub DOESN’T serve pub food. Its a modernisation that I don’t always hold dear to my heart, and this place is awesome, if small. There are alot of seats available outside though with the winter coming they might not be as useful as in the Summer. An excellent watering hole that you should get yourself down too.

really friendly old fashioned pub located in central london just off the strand. plenty of real ales on tap in dark setting which adds to the atmosphere, very easy to lose track of time & spend most of day having a relaxing drink or 2