Lamb & Flag

Lamb & Flag is the oldest pub in Covent Garden, first recorded on its Rose Street site in 1772 when it traded as the Coopers Arms, and renamed the Lamb & Flag in 1833. It is reached through a narrow passage off the main streets, which keeps it quieter than the busier thoroughfares nearby, and it is Grade II listed. The Evening Standard named it among the top pubs to visit in London.

The pub is run by Fuller's, and the building has a longer story than its brickwork suggests: the present facade dates from around 1958 but conceals what may be an early eighteenth-century timber frame, replacing the original house built in 1638. In the early nineteenth century it staged bare-knuckle prize fights and earned the nickname "The Bucket of Blood", and the alleyway beside it was where the poet John Dryden was attacked in 1679 by men hired by the Earl of Rochester.

A historic pub in Covent Garden with cask ale and a real fire

The bar runs from modern craft beers through to cask classics, with Fuller's London Pride among the pumps, so there is a traditional session ale alongside something more contemporary. Food is refined pub classics made from fresh, seasonal ingredients, served from noon until 9.30pm Monday to Saturday and until 8.30pm on Sunday. A real fire warms the room on colder days and air conditioning keeps it comfortable when the crowds build.

What to expect on a visit

Families are welcome, assistance dogs are looked after and free WiFi is available for anyone wanting to linger. Tables can be booked through the pub, and a 360-degree tour on its website shows the rooms before you arrive. Its position within a few minutes of the piazza and the theatres makes this Rose Street pub a reliable choice for a pint away from the main flow of foot traffic. For more traditional rooms nearby see our Covent Garden pubs, including The Harp, a sister Fuller's ale house on Chandos Place.