Tom Cribb

While the group I was with split into two, I neither wanted to eat another hamburger nor «discuss» where to eat for so long that we ended up grabbing fast food for lunch. I splintered off and headed to the pub I saw just around the corner from where we were meant to meet back up after lunch. On my own with plenty of time to decompress and try to decide who was going to hop into the back of the Bentley I saw waiting outside the nearby Prince of Wales Theatre where Book of Mormon was showing. I even saw paparazzi waiting! As exciting as all that was, I really couldn’t be bothered because my tummy was rumbling and I had to pop into Tom Cribb for some grub.
They had sausages with bubble and squeak! Bubble and squeak! THIS here American in London HAD to try out bubble and squeak and you know what? It was fantastic. Warming and hearty and delicious. Paired it with a pint and sat down to eavesdrop on a group of professionals grabbing a liquid lunch complete with several packets of crisps and the inevitable griping about their wives. I LOVED EVERY SECOND! The place is small, but super airy and everyone was very friendly. It is only a block or two off Leicester Square. Give it a try and see if you like it as much as I did!

Average pub in central london, not very touristy which is good as it has more regulars but still just an average pub with average commercial brands on tap and wines. If you’re a tourist looking for a more quiet place during 9 – 5, this would be a place to go…

This pub was named after Tom Cribb, an English bare-​knuckle boxer of the 19^th century, who was so successful that he became world champion.
It’s a great little place, just of the Haymarket in Penton Street. It’s really handy for a pre-​theatre drink if you are visiting this part of the West End. It’s very small, but has a nice feel to it. The staff are very friendly and very efficient, which is useful if you a just having a quick one before going on somewhere else. In fact, if I’m seeing anything at the Harold Pinter theatre, I would come here for my interval drink, as it is directly across the street.
In the summertime I like to stand outside and enjoy a pint standing on the pavement, as it is quite a quiet street, just yards from the mayhem and crowds of Haymarket. They have a good selection of beers. Although I’ve not eaten here, the food that I have seen looks tasty with ample portion sizes.
To me this is the sort of pub that you would use to meet up with someone before going on to somewhere else. It’s not the sort of pub where you feel you would want to settle for the evening though.

Tiny place, proper English pub
Need to be 18 to even get in. No matter if your parents are with you.
«Older» gentleman tendering the bar.
Decent sandwiches.
Pints at £4
Wifi needs registration (Cloud).

Quite a small boozer but close to work and normally good for an after work pint, although I normally walk past on my way to get some lunch and it’s quite busy then too! It has a good range of beers but can be quite cramped so sometimes drinking outside is better. Not sure how that’s going to work once the weather turns towards Winter though. Just down the road from the Book of Mormon so easy to head to if you’re looking for a quick drink before the show, once of the closest pubs to my work since the closure of the Captain’s Cabin to make way for whatever they’re building now in its place.

Very small pub with great food. The fish and chips is a very large serving of golden brown, crunchy fish served with chips and mushy peas. The steak pie is in a rich and flaky crust with a side of mashed potatoes and vegetables. Both less than £10 each. Fabulous place for a meal.

We stayed happily at Fleming’s Hotel in Mayfair for a remarkable David Hockney exhibition at the Royal Academy, but wanted local flavor … and found it here. The staff was exceptionally accommodating. We had ale and fish & chips. I found the fish crisp-​crusted and moist! Perfect for my taste, as I’d only had it once before in England on the streets of Bradford. The atmosphere at Tom Cribb had a rich, thespian feel of cozy welcome, stylish, historical accents with athletic (boxing) punctuation.
When staff realized I am one of Tom Cribb’s descendants, they offered pub memorabilia (menus and such). It was a special experience. Next thing I knew we were off to Woolwich near Greenwich on the Thames to visit Tom Cribb’s impressive gravesite. People everywhere seemed to know Tom Cribb and were extra helpful and informed about him! But that’s another story!
Of course I give this stylish little pub five stars! Why would I not? I tell everyone I know from the US to have a visit during their next visit to London.

Nice pub in London. Grab a beer and drink it on the street!

good memories from 1987. when i was stuff of griffin travel.

This was my neighborhood pub during a recent trip to London. I love any pub that serves Real Ales! We didn’t get to try the food, but we thoroughly enjoyed a few pints after a long day of sight seeing before heading back to our hotel. Its amazing quiet given the distance to Piccadilly and Leicester square. Beware of the post theater crowd piling in after a show lets out across the street.

Gorgeous pub near Leicester square and West End. Great selection of beers and nice atmosphere.

I studied abroad in London two years ago and visited many pubs. This was one of my favorite places to go to!
My sister and I went to see Misanthrope at the Comedy Theatre directly next to Tom Cribb, just across the street. After the play, we decided to walk over there because it seemed like a cozy place to get a pint or cider. Instead we had their mulled wine and it was to die for. Not only did they have great drinks, but the atmosphere and bartenders were very pleasant.
The only complaint would be that the place itself wasn’t terribly big, but for us it was pleasant enough to enjoy, even with lots of people in a small room. We even saw some of the cast members there after the show, which was a little treat in itself.
We only had a drink there and left but we wanted to go there the next day because it was terribly delightful. Again, we only wanted their homemade mulled wine. Once I got back in the states, I was determined to make my own because I loved theirs so much!
I definitely recommend this place to anyone, even if you aren’t a tourist.

Football free pub with 5 Shepherd Neame ales to choose from. I went for the Early Bird, nice and fresh spring hop beer.

I don’t understand the bad reviews I’ve seen online. I really like this place! It looks like a pub should (from an American perspective). They have good beer (try the Early Bird!), good food and nice staff. Be warned that the place gets really busy at lunch and with the after-​work crowd. It’s small inside, with seating for about 20 and they close pretty early (no food after 6pm). This place is a gem!

Tucked away between Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, you usually have to find it on accident, but that is lots of its charm. For the most part is a standard pub, but it gets the extra star for two great reasons:
1) The staff is fantastic. When you walk in the door you feel like you’ve entered the Cheers bar.
2) It’s centrally located, but somehow away from the scene. It’s a perfect pub to get away from Central London, without having to get away from Central London.
Cheers.

This is also a very small pub, with also very small toilets! Only ever been in this place once but would come here again had Jack Daniels last time i came here and what i can remember was at a good price! Ive heard it has a lot of history to it so if thats what your interested in and would like to find out more about it then check it out!

very very small pub off Leicester Square. Aparently its one of London’s oldest pubs, so there were alot of pictures on the wall. Mainly boxing photos as it is named after a Boxer.
Great atmosphere on a friday after work on a sunny day.
Anyway very friendly staff who knows how to mix a good JD and coke.

A tiny little pub just of Leicester Square, serving Shepherd and Neame ales and lagers. Other sites don’t rate it, but I think it’s a cracking litttle place.
Not sure about the availability of food, but the ales are always served perfectly and the staff are efficient and friendly. The advantage with a little pub is that the standard of everything is harder to let slip and this place is spotless, ship shape and well worth a visit.
Also, the pub is named after Tom Cribb, one of Britains most renowned bare knuckle heavyweight champions. He was so renowned that he was selected to act as an usher at the wedding of George IV in 1821. On his retirement, he became the Landlord of what is now The Tom Cribb pub.
So, even if the fine ales and wines don’t tempt you in. the history just might!