Pubs and Bars
We include a small selection of the pubs listed in the guide - to give an indication of the kind of information given in the 2003 guide.
The English pub is a unique institution. They vary a great deal. Some have a mainly 'local' clientele while others are full of passing trade because of their location. Most have a core of 'regulars'. Some depend on business trade. Many in and around the City and Docklands are closed at weekends, while others only serve food during the week. A great many pubs do now serve food, and also coffee, as well as alcohol and soft drinks. We have included phone numbers, so if you want to find out about eating or are in doubt about whether they'll be open, you can ring to check.
The provisions for disabled people have been greatly improved, and there has been enormous change. In the guidebook, we list well over 250 pubs inside the M25 which have either flat or single step access, and which have a well adapted toilet. When we published in 1989, that number was four !! Several of the brewers have made it a policy to include a disabled persons toilet in the specification for all new premises. Sometimes they will include one when a pub is refurbished. All the toilets are unisex unless specifically described as being inside the 'ladies' or 'gents' area. Note that some of the newest pubs are adopting a strict 21+ policy, particularly at busy times. Also, some pubs tend to attract a particular clientele, for example, from the gay community. Rarely are these pubs in any sense exclusive. As these things tend to change we have not mentioned age restrictions or to describe anything other than physical access. If you need to find out about the provision of food or about anything else, ring first to find out.
Bar Monaco, 39 Shaftesbury Avenue WC2 Tel: 020 7437-0847 Next door to the Queen's Theatre. The main bar is on the GF, which is step free. The first floor has a brasserie. Wheelchair toilet (D85 ST70) to the right of the bar - the key can be obtained from the bar.
Doggetts Coat & Badge, 1 Blackfriars Bridge SE1 Tel: 020 7633-9057. By the river at the southern end of Blackfriars Bridge, on the corner of Upper Ground. A pub on several floors, with entrances on different levels. There is access via only a small step [5cm] from the Bridge, about 25m down Upper Ground via a car ramp. A lift (D80 W110 L120) links all the floors, including the first floor function room. Wheelchair toilet (D75 ST100) next to the ladies' directly opposite the lift on the lower ground floor. From the riverside, you can get in via +8+1 steps. The garden is -1-8 from the lower ground floor and has only pub tables/benches, with similar tables by the river.
Mash, 19-21 Great Portland Street W1 Tel: 020 7637-5555 near the junction with Margaret Street. A modern bar with a flat entrance and 80% step free inside. An upstairs restaurant is accessible by a small lift (D80 W90 L90). Wheelchair toilet (D95 ST70) on the GF.
Moon and Sixpence, 185 Wardour Street W1 Tel: 020 7734 0037. Near Oxford Street, on the corner of Noel Street. Tiny step at the entrance, then step free. Adapted toilet (D80 ST55 blocked by a bin) to the right of the bar. The key is at the bar.
Old Explorer, 23 Great Castle Street W1 Tel: 020 7491-0467. At the junction of John Prince's Street. Step free entrance (with a slight bump) and step free inside to 80% of GF: the rest is +4. Downstairs bar is -5-13. Wheelchair loo (D80 ST70) in the right hand corner at the back, at the far end of the bar. The key is at the bar.
O'Neill's, 166 Shaftesbury Avenue WC2 Tel: 020 7379-3735. 150m north of Cambridge Circus, just past the junction with Mercer Street. Entrance +1 step, and then step free. Most tables have long benches, or are high up. Three/four tables are of standard height with movable chairs. Wheelchair toilet (D80 ST85) opposite the bar, on the right.
The Founders Arms, 52 Hopton Street SE1 Tel: 020 7928-1899. An attractive pub on the riverside with ramped access on the Blackfriars Bridge side. It is very close to the Bankside Gallery, and about 300m from Tate Modern. Ramped access as you approach from Blackfriars Bridge. Wheelchair toilet (D70 ST70) to the left of the bar.