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Union Tavern, Clerkenwell  rated3 pints - click for an explanation of our ratings

location:

Clerkenwell

address:

52 Lloyd Baker Street, WC1X 9AA

phone:

0871 258 7410*
* calls cost 10p/minute, click here for more about 0871 numbers.

nearest stations:

King's Cross Thameslink Railway station
(630m)

Angel London Underground station
(810m) - zone 1

King's Cross St. Pancras Eurostar terminalRailway stationLondon Underground station
(830m) - zone 1

Russell Square London Underground station
(870m) - zone 1

Farringdon Railway stationLondon Underground station
(910m) - zone 1

how to find it:

From King's Cross: Leave by the Thameslink station exit, and turn right and then take the right turning for King's Cross Road. Follow this road for about 10-15 minutes as it wobbles through London. Just before King's Cross Road transforms into Farringdon Road you'll see the pub on your left (opposite the Holiday Inn).From Russell Square: Exit and turn right. Walk along Bernard Street before turning right, down onto Guildford Street. Turn left and keep walking along Guildford Street. Cross over Gray's Inn Road, onto Calthorpe Street and keep going. Just when Calthorpe Street meets Farringdon Road, you'll see the pub across the road from you.From Farringdon: Leave the tube, turn right and once onto Farringdon Road, turn right again. Walk up Farringdon Road passing the offices of The Guardian and then the Post Office's Mount Pleasant sorting office (both on your left). Just when you start to run out of breath, the Union Tavern will appear into view.

click here for a larger map

nearby attraction(s):

Sadler's Wells Theatre (580m)

London Canal Museum (950m)

British Museum (1.2Km)

picture of Union Tavern
Though their promotional literature declares 'Bar & Restaurant' the much undervalued word 'pub' summarises the Union Tavern just as well. Sure, there's an element of the gastros to this one, what with the wooden tables and floorboards and one part of the interior designated as the nominal 'eating' area. Though what with The Eagle not a million miles away, it's not surprising the pub has opted for that route. What does come as a surprise is the (relatively) inexpensive cost of the food (all mains under a 10 when we last looked in) and the harmonious feel of the place. For once, the bare wood interior seems a wise option, as it enhances all the etched mirrors and chandeliers. Gastropub meets Gin Palace, you could say. As for the essentials, the Greene King IPA tasted better than in many a Greene King pub and as for the wine list... well, with over 80 wines to choose from you won't be mumbling "house red" and hoping for the best. One added attraction: there's a natural camber to the place (what with it being built on a slope) so even if you're on the soft drinks, you'll be lurching to the toilets like a tipsy sailor at daybreak.

reviewed:
24/06/2007
reviewed by jack

pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)

function room for hire - click for explanationfunction room for hire
separate restaurant - click for explanationseparate dining area
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