Quick info
About The Harrow, EC4
The Harrow, EC4 is a pub on Whitefriars St in London, set in a Grade II listed building where two shops were knocked together into a wood-heavy interior. The main bar has an open fire. The bar serves cask ales alongside familiar lager and Guinness, and hot sausage rolls and snacks come from behind it. A snug inside is named after a Fleet Street journalist. The building has two entrances, with the front on the street and a rear door that opens onto Primrose Hill.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention open fireplace, cask ales and Guinness, hot sausage rolls and Grade II listed building.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention open fireplace, cask ales and Guinness, hot sausage rolls and Grade II listed building.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return to the open fire, which several call lovely, and to a friendly welcome from the landlady and team, with one describing the hosts as incredible. Beer draws steady praise, including a Guinness described as on form and a decent Amstel, alongside hot sausage rolls and snacks from behind the bar. Others mention the traditional wood-panelled look, a snug named after a Fleet Street journalist, and a crowd of local office workers after work, which can make the pub busy, especially when it rains. The main complaint is drinks quality and value. One group paid a high sum for three beers and found the Asahi flat, the Guinness poured in one go and the Madri served in a warm glass. Another found the wine pricier than expected, and one noted ripped, tatty bench seating. One visitor who came in to use the toilet said a staff member shouted at them in front of everyone, though most describe the service as friendly. One reviewer noted the pub closes at weekends, and a TV going bang as they left fed the story of a haunting tailor.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return to the open fire, which several call lovely, and to a friendly welcome from the landlady and team, with one describing the hosts as incredible. Beer draws steady praise, including a Guinness described as on form and a decent Amstel, alongside hot sausage rolls and snacks from behind the bar. Others mention the traditional wood-panelled look, a snug named after a Fleet Street journalist, and a crowd of local office workers after work, which can make the pub busy, especially when it rains. The main complaint is drinks quality and value. One group paid a high sum for three beers and found the Asahi flat, the Guinness poured in one go and the Madri served in a warm glass. Another found the wine pricier than expected, and one noted ripped, tatty bench seating. One visitor who came in to use the toilet said a staff member shouted at them in front of everyone, though most describe the service as friendly. One reviewer noted the pub closes at weekends, and a TV going bang as they left fed the story of a haunting tailor.
Featured reviews
- John Mccormack
“Great pub. No loud music and great service from the bartender. Very clean and spacious!”
- London Pub Map
“🚇 Blackfriars 🍺 £5.90 Amstel An Historic City Pub. The Harrow is tucked away down Whitefriars Street just off Fleet Street in The City of London. The nearest Tube is Blackfriars, it’s a five minute walk to get here. This pub was established in 1769 and rebuilt in its present form in 1826. It’s a Grade II listed building that was originally two houses. The pub used to have an outside gents in what was Hanging Sword Alley. The Harrow has two entrances, one at the front and one at the rear on Primrose Hill. The entrance at the rear used to take you into a tiny Bar which was once a Tailor’s shop, it has now been knocked through to create one bar. The decor here is traditional with wainscoting running around the walls and patterned wall paper above. This high ceiling boozer has a small servery by the main entrance with an open fire opposite. Above the fire is a stunning Charrington’s mirror, to the left is a framed commemorative collection of coins and stamps dedicated to The Queen Mother. The seating is traditional tables and chairs plus a stylish banquette by the rear entrance. The beer lineup was familiar favourites and included two cask ales. I decided on an Amstel, my pint was decent and pleasingly cost less than six quid. The pub doesn’t have a food menu at present but there are hot sausage rolls available from behind the bar. I arrived just after 4pm on chilly afternoon in November. Soon after I arrived the pub started filling up with local office workers hankering after a post work bevvie. I got talking to the lovely Landlady who was telling me all about the pub and her time spent running The Bell in Bush Lane for thirteen years. There is a story that a Tailor from the old shop haunts this pub, as I was leaving the TV went bang, make of that what you will. I love an old London City Pub, the history, location and the folklore surrounding them greatly interests me. The Harrow is one such pub that has that City Pub aura, I wholeheartedly recommend a visit here but plan ahead as it is not open at weekends. ℹ️ Info correct on visiting 14.11.23”
- H H
“Linda and team are incredible hosts. Great beers, lovely snacks. Always have an amazing time when we come to the Harrow!”
- Steven Phillips
“Visited on a Friday late afternoon. Pub was relatively quiet inside but very busy outside. Service very good and the Guinness on form. Nice decor for Christmas. Nice little pub overall. Didn't try and bar food.”
- Meltem Bayrak
“I stopped by this pub urgently to use the toilet because there was no other place nearby. I didn’t know that I needed to ask for permission — I honestly didn’t think it was a rule in the UK, since most pubs are open to the public. My English isn’t very good, and I was in a hurry, so I just went straight in. When I was leaving, one of the staff members shouted at me in front of everyone. Her attitude was really rude and unnecessary. It was embarrassing and made me feel very uncomfortable. I understand if there are rules, but there’s no reason to treat someone like that for a simple human need.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Good to know
“Two shops knocked together lend this pub with a wood-heavy interior (and a ghost!) its classic feel.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
Bars near The Harrow, EC4
- The Old Bell Tavern4.51,6380.1 mi
fish and chips, steak pie, cask ale
- Nicholson’s pub4.61230.1 mi£20–30
fish and chips, fish pie, fried chicken sandwich
- Ye Olde London4.32,0190.2 mi£10–20ReservationsOutdoor seatingGood for kids
fish and chips, secret beer garden, pool table
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Harrow, EC4 | 4.2237 | — | — | open fireplace, cask ales and Guinness, hot sausage rolls |
| The Old Bell Tavern | 4.51,638 | 0.1 mi | — | fish and chips, steak pie, cask ale |
| Nicholson’s pub | 4.6123 | 0.1 mi | £20–30 | fish and chips, fish pie, fried chicken sandwich |
| Ye Olde LondonReservations · Outdoor seating · Good for kids | 4.32,019 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | fish and chips, secret beer garden, pool table |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Bars nearby
0.2 miThe Rising Sun
0.3 miThe Edgar Wallace
0.3 miDaly's Wine Bar & Beer Hall
0.3 miThe Viaduct Tavern, EC1
0.3 miDoggett's Coat and Badge
0.3 miThe Pregnant Man
0.4 miThe Sir Christopher Hatton
0.4 miYe Olde Mitre, Holborn
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