The Cross Keys, 31 Endell St

The Cross Keys, 31 Endell St, WC2H 9EB

The attractively verdant façade of this establishment rather resembles the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The lush creeping plants outside contrast sharply with the distinctly pub-like interior which manages to seamlessly blend hanging bits of copperware with Beatles memorabilia. It’s a small pub, so the post work rush can get a little tiresome, but once this passes the whole place settles into being a vintage traditional pub. There’s no food, no music and no TV – just good old fashioned conversation and hard drinking. The latter can make a trip to the gent’s toilets downstairs rather like descending the north face of the Eiger. Quite possibly the best pub of its type in Covent Garden.

Reviewed by Paul Melton, Mar 2008

Telephone: 020 7836 5185

Nearby pubs: The Crown and Anchor, 22 Neal Street (40 metres), The Freemason's Arms, 81-82 Longacre, Covent Garden (160 metres), The Sun Tavern, 66 Long Acre (170 metres), The Nag's Head, 10 James Street (180 metres), Dial, 20 Monmouth Street, Seven Dials (160 metres), The Crown, 43 Monmouth Street (150 metres), The White Hart, 191 Drury Lane (200 metres)

Nearest station: Covent Garden, Zone 1 (190 metres)