The Rugby Tavern

If you work in the area and you are wanting a nice drink, you should pop in for at least one.
The Rugby is open Monday to Friday and if you stay long enough, you will be with the regulars who live nearby, the drinks are a tad expensive, but if you are there, then you probably work on Emerald Street so you can afford at least 1…
You can stand outside on the pavement, but because of the area you have to be in at a certain time. If you are not, there’s an old woman who will shout out the window at you, a la Cat Lady from Simpsons.
Used to go here at least once a week, so that’s how much I rate it.

Cute local pub — big enough to find a seat but small enough to be cozy and warm. When you get too hot, head out to the patio where there are extra seats. Good cider selection and friendly service. Definitely worth a stop in for a pint if you’re in the neighborhood!

This charming corner pub is your typical English pub.
The central bar is in a U shape so can accommodate quite a few people around it.
There are stools and tables around the edge of the main bar room and the rugby also has an outside area which would be nice in the English summer.
There is also a room up stair which can be used for functions.
Good range of typical pub food, cod and chips, sausage and mash etc. all quite tasty.
Usual range of beers and ales on tap or in bottle.
Good place for after work drinks

It makes me sad to see the other review of this place (from Dan B.) which deplores the place based on smell alone. From my experience, the smell was fine, and it can always be one patron that ruins the place for everyone. As for the smell of bleach – at least it’s a clean smell!
But on to my own review of the place, right?
I popped in here after a few pints with friends last week, in sore need of a change of scenery and another pint to help me unwind after a long week of classes. The Rugby Tavern is tucked away, which might explain why it doesn’t have a huge amount of traffic, though when we entered, it was filled with locals who looked peculiarly at a group of ruffian youngsters (though one of my friends is definitely a local, living right in the neighborhood!) who were about to disrupt their quiet.
We started off quietly before becoming disruptive, but generally this place leans toward a calmer crowd. They have some good food – I tried the chips the nachos, and a chicken wing, all of which were perfectly acceptable pub grub.
Drinks were a standard price, nothing too fancy – the bar is nice and centrally located which makes the flow of people around the bar so much easier. All of the servers I interacted with were friendly.
All around, a solid place in the neighborhood. I imagine if they do rugby matches, it might be a great place to pop in!

The interior of the Rugby Tavern is a bit basic and no frills, but all in all it’s got a nice atmosphere. I’ve been here a few times and it’s never been over crowded. The bar staff are friendly and during the summer it’s nice to sit outside where they have a few tables and chairs.

A proper rugby boozer in the middle of Bloomsbury. This place seems to be pretty empty when all the other places in the area are packed. I’m not entirely sure but it may be due to the smell. The night started with a whif of bleach and ended with the stench of BO.

Solid local pub– never too packed or noisy. Think they serve food.

This previously used to be a regular haunt for myself and my work crew for lunch, we hadn’t been for a while so decided to revisit a few weeks back.
The pub is a standard boozer, patterned carpet, standard furniture etc. Extra room upstairs and outside which we availed of on this sunny day. Food has gone downwards since I last visited and I definately would bother eating there again.
Great for a liquid pint but I’d leave the soakage!

Despite the name, so not expect a sports pub of any kind. Beyond one lost television and a painting of a rugby player, the pub has not warmed to its theme.
Traditional in every sense, from the patterned carpet to the old-​office furniture, it has been refurbished and at least feels new.
A good variety of beers and ales and an outside area saves this pub from iniquity. Just avoid the post-​work suits as they are not the fun type

The Rugby Tavern is a pleasant pub just off Theobalds Road, not so very far from Holborn tube. Inside, it’s homely and honestly furnished, not trendy but comfortable. There are tables and also some sofas. They have a meeting room upstairs and outside there are some chairs and tables. All in all a pretty relaxing pub. It can get busy but not crushingly so.
It’s a Shepherd Neame pub with the full slate of beers (they clock in at about £3 a pint) and they also serve food which is ok rather than to be recommended but cheap.
My one gripe would be the slightly too-​cool-​for-​school staff (with a selection of science fiction hair-​dos) who are above smiling and friendliness which is funny, rather than annoying.