Quick info
About The Viaduct Tavern, EC1
The Viaduct Tavern, EC1 is a London pub at 126 Newgate St, originally built as a Victorian gin palace. Staff run a free tour of the old debtors' prison holding cells in the cellar, and visitors only need to ask. The tour also covers the history of the building, which gives history-minded visitors a reason to come beyond the drinks. The bar serves a selection of beers and a gin-based lavender drink. The pub opens Monday to Saturday and closes on Sundays.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cellar jail cell tour, historic debtors prison cells, lavender gin drink and cold beer selection.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cellar jail cell tour, historic debtors prison cells, lavender gin drink and cold beer selection.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return most for the tour of the historic cells in the cellar, a former debtors' prison that several say staff will show on request at no charge. Visitors describe the guides as informative, friendly and funny, with one calling the cells impressive and scary at the same time, and another noting a hands-on experience in the cell. Close behind is the staff, called welcoming and obliging, with one server praised for taking care of a whole group without delay. Drinks and the interior also draw praise: one reviewer calls a lavender gin drink delicious, another mentions cold beers, and a third says the pub gave them an education on beer in the UK. The one caveat comes from a Friday afternoon visitor who found a reasonable choice of beers and friendly enough bar staff but no atmosphere, since they were almost the only people there. One group was asked to wait for the busy period to pass before being taken down to see the cell.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return most for the tour of the historic cells in the cellar, a former debtors' prison that several say staff will show on request at no charge. Visitors describe the guides as informative, friendly and funny, with one calling the cells impressive and scary at the same time, and another noting a hands-on experience in the cell. Close behind is the staff, called welcoming and obliging, with one server praised for taking care of a whole group without delay. Drinks and the interior also draw praise: one reviewer calls a lavender gin drink delicious, another mentions cold beers, and a third says the pub gave them an education on beer in the UK. The one caveat comes from a Friday afternoon visitor who found a reasonable choice of beers and friendly enough bar staff but no atmosphere, since they were almost the only people there. One group was asked to wait for the busy period to pass before being taken down to see the cell.
Featured reviews
- christina komolafe
“Great staff and atmosphere. The Debtors prison downstaire was very impressive and scary at the same time, it's free to see it too, just ask the staff and they will take it to the cellers unground”
- sudhish mk
“Ujjal, very helpful, intelligent and smart. She went above and beyond. She was not only a good server but a good human, took care of our group and made sure everyone got what they ordered without any delay. I hope Ujjal gets promoted to the next role asap. She has the charm and keeps her smile even when busy. Happy to have her as a server. I will recommend this restaurant to my friends and colleagues.”
- Janice Baker
“We visited the Viaduct after seeing the pub on a Netflix most haunted pubs. The pub has a real friendly atmosphere the bar staff on the day Lena and Shrai were very welcoming and attentive to all the customers. We asked Lena if we could see the cell in the cellar she was very obliging asking us if we could wait just 15 minutes for the busy period to pass. Shrai then took us down to the cellar making sure he told us the history of the building and giving us a hands on experience in the cell. Thank you so much Lena and Shrai for making our day at such short notice.”
- Hannah
“A fab pub, great interior, cold beers. Kind enough to give us a tour of the prison, they were informative, friendly and funny. Ujjal was great! Thank you team 😁”
- John W
“This pub was fantastic We were given a tour of the cellars, that used to be used a prison cells Great staff here too”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Good to know
“A must for lovers of London's history, the walls of our great city pub could tell a few stories! Originally built as a Victorian gin palace,”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible car park
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Location
Bars near The Viaduct Tavern, EC1
- Lamb and Trotter4.33060.1 miWheelchair accessible
craft beer selection, private downstairs room, daily specials
- Ye Olde London4.32,0190.2 miReservationsOutdoor seatingGood for kids
fish and chips, secret beer garden, pool table
- St Barts4.26570.2 mi
wedding reception venue, english sparkling wine flight, balfour lager
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Viaduct Tavern, EC1 | 4.41,262 | — | cellar jail cell tour, historic debtors prison cells, lavender gin drink |
| Lamb and TrotterWheelchair accessible | 4.3306 | 0.1 mi | craft beer selection, private downstairs room, daily specials |
| Ye Olde LondonReservations · Outdoor seating · Good for kids | 4.32,019 | 0.2 mi | fish and chips, secret beer garden, pool table |
| St Barts | 4.2657 | 0.2 mi | wedding reception venue, english sparkling wine flight, balfour lager |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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