The Nell Gwynne Tavern

The Nell Gwynne Tavern is a small historic pub in Bull Inn Court, a narrow alley off the Strand, established in 1667 on the site of the Old Bull Inn. It takes its name from the mistress of Charles II, who grew up locally at St Martin in the Fields, sold fruit in Covent Garden market and found fame as an actress on the Drury Lane stage. Samuel Pepys recorded seeing her on his way to the Strand that same year.

The tavern is run by Young and Co.'s Brewery and wears its history openly. In 1897 the actor William Terriss was murdered yards from the door by a stagehand from the neighbouring Adelphi Theatre, and in the 1960s the Richardson gang were reputed to drink here. Today it is a lively but cosy room with Young's London Original on the bar alongside a curated range of craft beers, ales and lagers, local wines and spirits, and a spritz list that includes a sparkling margarita and a raspberry Honeybee.

A historic pub off the Strand for a pint and a pie

Food is bar snacks rather than full meals: premium sausage rolls, hearty pies with flaky pastry, artisan cheeses and sharing nibbles built to go with a drink. A free jukebox lets customers pick the soundtrack without coins, and a home-made Bloody Mary is served all day on Sundays.

What to expect on a visit

The pub opens at noon every day, closing at 10pm on Monday and Sunday and 11pm from Tuesday to Saturday. On fine evenings the crowd spills into the alley beneath the painted pub sign, and the Adelphi and Vaudeville theatres are seconds away. For more Covent Garden drinking history see our Covent Garden pubs, including The Marquess of Anglesey, a sister Young's house on Bow Street.