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One of the oldest pubs in London.
Once known as the Bucket of Blood, thanks to the bare-knuckle fights held here, the Lamb & Flag has a vibrant and colourful 300-year history. As you step inside the narrow pub – which habitually bursts as the seams with hoards of local workers and shoppers - it’s easy to imagine a time when this place was filled with London’s rowdy residents jostling for space at the bar or packing out the ancient settles. A noticeable lack of chairs and tables downstairs results in drinkers thronging in front of the bar or squeezing into nooks and crannies – much like they would have done when it was first opened. If you want a bit of space, fight your way through and wind your way up the creaking staircase to a larger roomier upstairs bar named the Dryden Bar, after the poet who was allegedly attacked in the alleyway next to the pub. Alternatively, if it’s sunny, head outside where an area of pavement is usually roped-off to create a sociable drinking paddock. Bare-knuckle fighting may have given way to mobile phone baiting but, when it’s packed out (as it invariably is), you get the feeling not much has changed over the centuries. Claiming to be the oldest pub in London this is truly the place to come to experience a taste of what traditional London pubs are, and were, meant to be. Come expecting atmospheric jovial crowds, a strong sense of history, real ales, a narrow bar, oak beams and low ceilings and you won’t be disappointed.
Best for:
Creaking staircase and narrow rooms, bustling drinkers and wooden benches, real ales, history, fireplace and ancient settles.
Did you know?
The pub’s upstairs bar is named the Dryden Bar, after the 17th century poet who was allegedly attacked in the alleyway next to the pub in 1679. |
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Alternative
Pubs Near Lamb & Flag |
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| London Nightlife |
| The Cove |
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1
The Piazza,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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3 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| Overlooking Covent Garden Piazza, the Cove is a world away from the crowds outside. Tucked up in a worn, leather armchair under the pub’s low, ...More...
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| London Nightlife |
| Waxy's Little Sister |
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20
Wardour Street,
Soho,
London,
W1D
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6 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| If you're not up for the hectic atmosphere of Waxy O'Connors it might be worth slipping across the street to her infinitely more tranquil Little ...More...
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Local
Nightlife Near Lamb & Flag |
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| London Nightlife |
| Detroit Bar |
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35
Earlham Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2H
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3 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| Covent Garden "style" bar serving cocktails and a chilled out, trendy vibe.
Considered to be one of London’s original “style” or “concept” bars, despite being on ...More...
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| London Nightlife |
| Cork & Bottle |
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44
Cranbourn Street,
Soho,
London,
WC2H
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3 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| Located in the heart of the West End you’d expect it to be packed with the usual crowds but hidden in a basement below a ...More...
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Local
Hotels Near Lamb & Flag |
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| London Hotels |
| Radisson Edwardian Mountbatten Hotel |
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20
Monmouth Street,
Covent Garden,
WC2H9HD
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4 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| In the middle of Covent Garden, the Radisson Edwardian Mountbatten is perfect for those wanting to be in the heart of the action. Surrounded ...More...
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| London Hotels |
| Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel |
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31-36
Leicester Square,
London,
WC2H7LH
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5 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| Overlooking Leicester Square - the setting for London’s regular film premieres - the Radisson Edwardian Hampshire has glamorous, exclusive décor to match its high-profile setting: ...More...
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Local
Event Near Lamb & Flag |
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| London Event |
| Great Christmas Pudding Race 2009 |
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Covent Garden Piazza,
Covent Garden,
WC2E
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3 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| You're familiar with the egg and spoon race. Well how about the Christmas Pudding Race? Covent Garden Piazza swells with spectators as about 150 contestants ...More...
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| London Event |
| Turandot |
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London Coliseum - English National Opera (ENO),
St Martin's Lane,
Wc2N
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3 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| The English National Opera's love affair with Puccini continues with this new production of his musically rich swansong Turandot. Another innovative director Rupert Goold follows ...More...
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Local
Entertainment Near Lamb & Flag |
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2 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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2 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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3 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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Local
Sights and Attractions Near Lamb & Flag |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| London Transport Museum |
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Covent Garden Piazza,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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4 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| After a two-year, £22 million refurbishment the London Transport Museum reopened on 22 November 2007 revealing more exhibition space than before. The museum travels back ...More...
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| London Transport Museum |
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39
Wellington Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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4 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| After a two-year, £22 million refurbishment the London Transport Museum reopened on 22 November 2007 revealing more exhibition space than before. The museum travels back ...More...
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Local
Shopping Near Lamb & Flag |
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| London Shopping |
| Stanford's |
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12-14
Long Acre,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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0 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| Intrepid explorers already know where to travel for the best selection of maps and travel books. Stanford's should be the first pit stop on any ...More...
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| London Shopping |
| Trevor Sorbie |
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27
Floral Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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1 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| Sorbie does the celebrities, but prides himself on doing real hair for real people. He has a well earned reputation for great creativity and style ...More...
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Local
Dining Near Lamb & Flag |
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| London Dining |
| Carluccio's |
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Garrick Street,
Covent Garden,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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0 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| This is the flagship store of Carluccio's, the decent Italian chain from the loveable TV chef, Antonio. Housed in a 19th century building, it comprises ...More...
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| London Dining |
| Clos Maggiore |
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33
King Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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1 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| This independent culinary gem in the vicinity of Covent Garden’s chain-filled streets provides an endearing glimpse of rural southern France. A cosy, indoor courtyard is ...More...
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Local
Education Near Lamb & Flag |
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| London Education |
| Courtauld Institute of Art |
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Somerset House,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2R
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9 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| The Courtauld is one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, affiliated with the Oxbridge system and boasting a huge private location and ...More...
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| London Education |
| King's College Medical School |
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Strand,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2R
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9 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| Imperial College London is the foremost medical training faculty in the country but for non-medical graduates wishing for a change of career, King’s is the ...More...
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Local
Leisure Near Lamb & Flag |
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| London Leisure |
| The Sanctuary |
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12
Floral Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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2 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| This day spa exclusively for women is a total pampering experience from the minute you step through the door. Located in bustling Covent Garden you'll ...More...
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| London Leisure |
| The Hospital Club |
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24
Endell Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2H
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5 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| Before it was a hip private members' club designed specifically for the creative industries - complete with bar and dining rooms, cinema, TV and recording ...More...
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Local
Pubs Near Lamb & Flag |
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| London Pubs |
| The Cove |
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1
The Piazza,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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3 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| Overlooking Covent Garden Piazza, the Cove is a world away from the crowds outside. Tucked up in a worn, leather armchair under the pub’s low, ...More...
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|
| London Pubs |
| Waxy's Little Sister |
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20
Wardour Street,
Soho,
London,
W1D
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6 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| If you're not up for the hectic atmosphere of Waxy O'Connors it might be worth slipping across the street to her infinitely more tranquil Little ...More...
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Local
Business Near Lamb & Flag |
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| London Business |
| 25 Floral Street Business Centre |
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25
Floral Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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0 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| ...More...
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| London Business |
| MLS Meeting and Conference Centre - London Covent Garden Floral Street |
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25
Floral Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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0 minutes distance from Lamb & Flag
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| ...More...
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