Almost no tourists (except me ) and also very friendly stuff and customers. I did like it very much. When you're coming from the back it's kind of hard to find. You have to go through a very tiny street to get to the place. In there it is crowded but not to stuffed. Friendly staff. No underage people allowed. I got asked to show my ID read more

If you like cask beer, you would be hard to beat this pub. It is always packed and is a pleasure to drink in. The staff are sharp, fast and very efficient. Big turnover in cask beets means there is plenty of variety. Often voted a CAMRA pub if the year! read more

The Harp - Great place for craft beers. - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

This is an excellent pub, especially for its very central location. It's very near to The Chandos, and a decidedly better choice. The atmosphere is the best part. I came here twice on my most recent trip to London, and found two other foreigners on the first visit and none of the second. Conversations here were fun to eavesdrop on. Obviously popular with London suits, as well as with retirees and a few younger working people. A cozy, comfortable dark wood interior with a large open front window that encourages sitting at the window-ledge stools or standing on the sidewalk if the weather permits. There is an upstairs room, but it looks like a pink, frilly tearoom and was deserted on both of my visits. I would guess that it seats people on crowded evenings. I found a nice selection of cask beers, most of which I don't think I encountered in any other pubs I visited. Two originals that I wrote down were an Elderflower Blonde Ale and Boggart Ray of Sunshine. Everything was poured nicely, and prices were average. I didn't try any of the food here, but there are daily specials and the locals seemed to order the daily special sausage plates very consistently. The service, in my experience, was average. Barkeeps talked amongst themselves, and while I did see the owner briefly, she didn't spend any time behind the bar. No complaints. Highly recommended "boozer," as TimeOut London would call it (they seem to favor bars over pubs). I spent several very pleasant hours here with my dad; it was his first time in London, and this happened to be the first pub we visited as we met in Trafalgar Square. read more

This is what I imagine a block party is like! My friends and I met up here at 7 p.m. on a Friday night. I saw people everywhere drinking on sidewalks and couldn't actually see a pub! Eventually we found the pub, but you could barely get inside to get a drink. It was a particularly warm day in London so the window was open so you could see right into the pub. I'm not quite sure what the price of the drinks were since we only had two rounds, but apparently they had a good choice of ales. I did opt for a cold lager because of the temperature. We stood outside, but the staff kept coming around and ushering us into specific areas as well as picking up stray glasses that had been left on the side of the road. Eventually we made our way upstairs where there is some seating. It was much quieter and different from the pub downstairs. The seats were nice and cushy, inviting you to stay and drink all night! Overall, love this place and would definitely go back and stand on the sidewalk with my pint! read more

One night, a couple of friends and I attempted a pub crawl in Convent Garden. Unfortunately, thousands of mad football fans had descended on the area and caused most of the pubs to close down. The Harp, however, was still open, with a sign on the door: "NO FOOTBALL". So before I even went in, it made me happy. I ordered a scrumpy cider but naturally forgot how to pronounce it, but the bartender was really nice about it. She let me try one first to see if I liked it, and I said I wanted something drier. She gave me a full pint of the driest one they had. I was drunk shortly thereafter. It was crowded this Saturday night, but I loved the kind of hole-in-the-wall, happy, pubby atmosphere and would have liked to sit upstairs if there was room. They seem to have a ton of different beers for ale lovers. I'd totally go back if I wanted a drink in the area. read more

I love this pub. Great atmosphere & a fun crowd that's rather diverse, likely given the central location. Didn't seem touristy at all, which was a little surprising. The bartenders were good fun & very helpful on the various smaller brewery craft beers that we were unfamiliar with. Plenty of old standards from around Europe (including a classic Czech Pils) & a great selection overall. Looking forward to making another stop here when in the area. read more

A pub, is a pub, is a pub. This place is really cool if you happen to be in the area and want to feel a somewhat authentic English pub with a happy mix of tourists, 'locals' and the old school English pub vibe without using your Oyster to get to Zone 3. Downstairs is small and intimate and it's very fun with hundreds of (thousand?) coasters decorating the top of the bar, but it's still just a pub situated in 'tourist central' trying to offer something authentic and still stay in business. I like it, because it's fun, has a happy atmosphere and when the weather is nice -- it opens to the pavement. So, if you're in the area, fancy a 'real' pub and some 'real' ale. It's well worth it -- I promise! read more

The Harp - Not short of coasters in this pub... - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

A traditional English Ale Pub. We came in on a late Sunday afternoon to grab a few pints. It was lightly packed downstairs, with some smokers out front and a good crowd inside. They were kind in offering samples of some different ales before we chose and settled on a whole pint. They have a huge collection of tap keys adoring the top of the bar. Bar tenders were super friendly and beer was relatively cheap, considering London is pretty expensive. Bathrooms and bar were super clean too and upstairs looked like a fun place to sit. Tip: Ask to try before you settle on an ale (so you can get something new). Also, their food menu isn't that long and is mainly pre-packaged. Go for drinks, not food. read more

This is one of the pubs that is going to stay with me for the rest of my life. You walk in, to be greeted by the most amazing collection of coasters I have ever seen, it screams REAL DEAL! They have a ton of handpump, and a great variety across the board. Apparently the sausages run out at about 1300. read more

One of my favorite pubs in London. It was a good crowd and atmosphere. There was one drunk asshole that was trying to pick a fight with everybody, but he was harmless and added to the experience! read more

Epitome of pub. Came here as I heard it's the best real ale pub in London or something to that effect. The beer was good! Good range and I don't normally go big for real ale but it was really good. The staff were friendly and welcoming. We even got seats on a Saturday afternoon! Pop by if you're in the area and like beer. Highly recommend it. read more

Excellent for a pre-dinner pint and was the perfect place to grab a cider before dinner at J Sheeky! It does get crowded, so arrive around 5pm to get a stool at the bar. read more

If you like cider/perry/ale, come to The Harp. It's about a 2 minute walk from Trafalgar Square. There are no frills about The Harp (except the flowers, which are a lovely touch). It's a small cosy pub that's always buzzing. It is usually packed on any weekend day, with people spilling outside. In short: Cute pub right around the corner of Trafalgar Square with a great selection of ciders and ales. read more

London has loads of new bars opening up that serve craft beer mostly which I like, but for when I want to go have a more traditional pint or lager/ale or cider The Harp is one of the best choices in Central London. Their beer selection comes from various breweries around London and the UK and they rotate regularly, so be sure to check back often. Even though the Harp has been bought by Fullers Brewery, they have largely left this pub to it's previous state which is a refreshing decision. This pub is narrow which means during their busier hours it can be crowded, so be prepared if coming here on a Friday/Saturday night. The upstairs is a nice place to sit when it's quieter and has nice comfy chairs to rest when sipping your pint of choice. CAMRA had rewarded The Harp National Pub of the Year 2010/2011 and is frequently in many beer blog's best pub lists. So in short: Good pub for ale/lager/cider but best for off-peak times. read more

There is a reason this small pub is consistently rated number one. The beer, being called "love," or the intimate atmosphere. Great beers, inexpensive, friendly. If they don't know your name you will think they did. read more

I was looking for an afternoon pub stop, and found this gem. The Harp is a classic pub. A very narrow bar on the first floor leads to some precarious stairs in the back that take you to a quieter upstairs. The staff is friendly, the beer choices are excellent, and the view upstairs is pleasant. I am hoping to make it here again. read more

Slowly becoming London's worst-kept secret, The Harp is hands down my favorite pub in London. With an exceedingly friendly staff, always willing to help pick which cider from a jug to go with, and a cozy room upstairs to hide from the otherwise frantic area of Leicester Square, it's everything you could want in a pub. read more

Extremely busy when I went, with people dressed to the nines. Perhaps an opera nearby? It seemed like a lovely place, but not really an easy place to chat and feel comfortable. Perhaps on a slower evening? I wish we could give reviews and scores along multiple axes. This is probably someone's favorite place because there are so many little ecological niches to hang out in and hold court. read more

Solid pub in the west end with s great selection of cask ales. Always busy. My go to place for a pint in the area. Has nice flowers in the summer. read more

Nice pub with a friendly atmosphere and lots of space between the two floors and outdoor area. The upstairs is cozy and secluded while the downstairs seems more like a busy traditional English pub. They have a decent Guinness a good selection of English beers. Worth checking out when you're in the area! read more

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This pub is a favourite of mine. And of everyone else as well it's always busy. Perhaps it's so busy because of its location (close to Charing Cross station), its location (close to Trafalgar Square and major galleries), and its location (close to Theatreland). However, I like to think it's so busy because it's a wonderful place in its own right: the excellent real ale, the pleasant ambience and good service. A big plus for many is the real ales. They have space for six, and most of the time all six pumps are occupied. And they are all good quality beers in good condition somebody here knows their stuff. They seem to always have Harveys, Landlord and Black Sheep, and three guests. They are mostly £3.00 a pint (as at May 2008). For me, another plus is the lack of piped music. Or maybe there is and I just can't hear it the place is constatly packed with people conversing (or saying sorry, oops was that your foot, excuse me, cheers :-) as people try to squeeze through). And another great plus is the friendly multi-tasking serving staff (all female) they often will take your order if they're waiting a few seconds for someone else's drink to pour, and they're always looking out for people to serve. The food is pleasingly simple and low-tech: they simply do five or six types of sausage which they cook at the bar, and serve in a roll with onions if you want them. Mustard and ketchup are available. I had one of these once in my case it was very slightly burnt, but otherwise not bad. It's just the right sort of food for this sort of place decent tucker without the faff. The upstairs room is a comfortable, restful place with the feel of someone's sitting room there are comfortable armchairs, and people instinctively lower their voices in this room. It could serve as a function room for 15-20 people, though there isn't really a bar in there to speak of. Strangely there are usually seats free (or at least there always have been when I've visited), so it's a good way to escape if downstairs becomes too rammed. There is background music, but at a very low volume, and it's provided by a radio on the counter tuned in to some classical music station. My only real gripe is the state of the gents' toilets, the third-worst pub toilet of my acquaintance. Half-way up the narrow stairs so it's difficult just to get into it, it's extremely cramped, There is soap and water to wash your hands, but it's awkward to access so a lot of people don't bother. And the cubicle is in a right state it looks like someone made a half-hearted attempt to do some tiling but then gave up. All the good things about this place vastly outweigh any shortcomings, so I'm giving it all five stars. read more

This is a lovely pub serving several (mostly local) real ales and also several lovely real ciders and perries. The pub looks like a good old fashioned pub too. Knowing most of the ales I went for a cider and a perryboth were very nice . This pub is too small for such a popular pub..in warm weather folk sprawl out onto the street out front and gather in the alley out back. It is worth checking the upstairs as not everyone knows about the area up there. Managed to get a seat but there was a really rowdy and annoying group of lads who thought they were cool right behind me. There are some minor renovations going on at the moment. I hope that that is the reason for no sink in the gents! I also hope they don't change too much as this is such a nice old fashioned watering hole. The pub has won many awards, most recently the CAMRA West London pub of the year 2010. read more

The Harp is as an authentic old school London drinking experience as you're going to get. I was shocked when I found out they're actually owned by Punch Taverns, don't let that put you off! The staff are lovely, two old dears (they'll hate me for saying that!) who are quietly efficient, quite the contrast from the usual useless Aussie's you get in most establishments. The beer is out of this world, they have 5-6 ales on at all times, well-kept and always something a little special to try. This was the first pub I tried the mythical Harvey's Sussex Best in (coming from The North as I do, you don't see it!), and boy was it worth wait. I practically sunk the first one in 30 seconds and went back for more. Moorhouse's incredible ales are also sometimes a fixture here, and once you've tried Pendle Witch's Brew, your life will never be the same. Why the hell am I living in Germany?! As for food, well, you can get a selection of English sausages in a roll. With onions. That's it - perfect! It does get busy here, but get in early, and grab a seat by the window, and you'll have a evening to remember. Best pub in London? Maybe. read more

I've been told many good things about this pub. Namely about the ale. But, Jeff the Landlord at The Gunmakers says that this is 'the landlords' pub'. And if it's god enough for him, it's got to be doing something right. And it does, mostly. The beer is good, the location is perfect (two minutes skipping distance from Charing Cross) and well, that's pretty much all I want from this pub. I spent the night outside chit chatting with friends. I'd come here if it was a little bit quieter, but as it was my friends at the meet-up I was at taking up half the pub, I can't really complain about it being busy. It's not a five star place for me, but Charing Cross can be a strange drinking place, and this pub just shot right to the top of my list. read more

My favorite place to kick back and relax in London. Quaint, homey, but sophisticated place. The feel and style of the place was really impressive. The best spots are upstairs and it's nice to go on a quiet afternoon and read a book or do work there. The bartenders were very friendly and willing to help you out if you don't know your way around drinks. By far my favorite cider was at the Harp. Be warned, if you go Thursday-Sunday night it will be standing room only - it's where the locals go to chat after work on Th-Fri. The locals will give you a bit of a stare if you're a foreigner/tourist/not a regular but I visited this place 3 times out of my 1 week in London - highly recommend! read more

I was invited to an informal Christmas Do here: beer and sausages. The front of the building is covered in window-baskets in the summer, but if you want an interesting approach (once you've found the place via the front entrance) try the tiny alleyway down the back. The pub is narrow, deep and usually very busy: so getting a seat (or more likely stool) can be a challenge. There is an excellent range of beers and ciders. Apart from the usual bar snacks, hot food is usually available in the form of sausages cooked on a hot plate behind the bar and served on a baguette-sized roll: hot and tasty. Definitely worth a visit. read more

Small but very popular pub, serving an outstanding range of real ales as well as food. The walls are lined with portraits (the National Portrait Gallery is nearby) and the interior fittings give it an authentic Victorian feel. It's quieter before the after-work crowd descends on it, and it makes for a much nicer place to stop for refreshment than any number of the horrible and characterless tourist trap cafes in the area. read more

Really very nice. An extraordinary array of ales - and more to the point, loverly west country ciders waiting for you in casks. If the place isn't super busy, the staff enjoy dishing out tasters so you can ensure you drink the cider or perry of your dreams. Also - great seating, marvellous decor and a good vibe. Top marks read more

I feel that everything you need to know about this fantastic pub has already been said, but I thought I might as well join in the chorus of praise, because it is well deserved. Oh, and I am forever indebted to beer guru Phil for bringing me here! I could also add that being so close to Trafalgar Square, The Harp qualifies as a stop on the Monopoly Pub Crawl. Though it wouldn't feel quite right to show up here with a big group of very drunk people (and indeed, you would want to do their out of this world selection of ales justice), so I would suggest making the Harp an early stop. It might seem a bit over the top to plan the route of the pub crawl around one pub, but actually, if you've been to the Harp you'll know that this is only right and natural. read more

It's a pub. No frills. Enjoy. It's not listed on their site or yelp that they only serve food until 2pm (1400). But over all... Phenomenal prices near a tourist area. read more

Legendary day in Tither's End! Please check out the Harp if you like good people and a charming atmosphere.

Smaller, cramped interior with micro outdoor space for standing only. This little pub is a hidden gem with a casual vibe, lively crowd, and killer craft beer tap list. Even with only about 10 beers on tap, everything was well-curated and the kegs tasted super fresh. Bartenders were outgoing, knowledgeable, and pointed out some of their one-off, specialty kegs to me. Prices were a bit high at £6 per pint, but given the location and beer quality, it makes sense. After about three visits, this became easily my favorite bar in London. Cheers! read more

There is also table near the window which you can see nice view of the street. The entire place is reallyhomely and really good place to visit. It is a great pub with a great location but in affordable price.Every time that we visit this place we went through way upstairs because it was much quiet and different from the bar downstairs. The tables were nice and pleasant, temptingyou to stay and drink all night long. Generally, I really love this place and would certainly go back here! read more

Looks great except hoofed it here for a pint and they close at 10:30pm, not 11:30pm as stated. BEWARE!!!

Friendly bartenders and really cool atmosphere. Tasty beers! After originally stopped at Sherlock Holmes, and after getting frustrated waiting for the sloth-paced bartenders there, opted to come here, which is a place I've been impressed with before. You won't be disappointed! read more

Far enough away from Covent garden to avoid tourists, a great selection of cask ales, and great prices

i enjoyed this establishment. Good well priced beers, patrons mostly men, of which 30% were attractive professionals. If i worked in london I think i would stop by for a pint after work often. read more

This has to be the tiniest pub in London, and the least touristy in Covent Garden. We stumbled upon it while passing through the back alley, and had to stop in as everyone seemed to be having such a good time - really hopping on a Saturday night. Good selection of ciders on tap, and possibly the cleanest ladies' toilet I've ever seen in a pub. read more

After a long day of bouncing around the city, I was desperate for a pint or three and happened upon The Harp. Their beer and cider selection is fantastic, and between the cold brew and the cool breeze at the window seats we snagged, I was instantly revived. The bartenders were super helpful and even warned me when I unknowingly ordered a super expensive craft beer when it was my turn to pick up a round (I went for it anyway). Awesome vibe, no pretense, and voted "best pub in London" at the conclusion of our trip. read more

This place is great. Perfect in all ways. Dude customer who thinks the upstairs is his personal office where he can have long and loud conversations on the phone (with laptop out), you suck. I wish bars all over would kick these jokers out and let everyone else enjoy real conversation with people in front of them. Not really sure what we as customers can do about this but it's obnoxious and these folks seem oblivious to the stink eye. read more