The Old Red Lion
The Old Red Lion in Clerkenwell stands as one of London's most characterful theatrical pubs, occupying a corner site on St John Street at the junction with Rosebery Avenue. The current building dates from the Victorian era, though a pub has stood on this site since at least 1415, making it one of the oldest licensed premises in London. The present structure was rebuilt in the 1890s, displaying the handsome red brick and ornate tilework typical of late Victorian pub architecture. The name itself likely derives from the heraldic red lion of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, whose influence was significant in this part of medieval London.
The pub's most distinctive feature is its intimate fringe theatre, established in the upstairs room in 1979. This tiny performance space, seating around fifty people, has become one of London's most respected fringe venues, launching the careers of numerous actors, playwrights and directors over the past four decades. The theatre has premiered works by now-prominent writers and continues to stage cutting-edge new writing, making the Old Red Lion a crucial part of London's theatrical ecosystem. The combination of pub and theatre creates an atmosphere rare in modern London, where patrons can enjoy a pint in the ground-floor bar before heading upstairs for an evening's entertainment.
The interior retains much of its Victorian character, with dark wood panelling, traditional bar fittings, and etched glass screens that divide the space into more intimate areas. The main bar area is cosy and unpretentious, with worn floorboards and simple wooden furniture that speaks to centuries of use. Theatrical posters and photographs line the walls, documenting the venue's long association with performance and the arts. The atmosphere is relaxed and bohemian, attracting a mixed crowd of local residents, theatre-goers, and those seeking refuge from the more sanitized chain establishments that have proliferated elsewhere in central London.
As a pub, the Old Red Lion serves a well-kept selection of real ales and standard lagers, with the drink offering remaining traditional and unfussy. The focus here is very much on the theatrical programming rather than gastropub cuisine, though the pub does serve straightforward British pub food. The beer garden at the rear provides a welcome outdoor space, particularly pleasant on summer evenings when theatre-goers spill out during intervals or after performances. The pub operates with the comforting predictability of a proper London local, where the emphasis is on good beer, conversation, and community rather than contemporary food trends.
Clerkenwell itself is one of London's most historically layered neighbourhoods, sitting just north of the ancient City of London boundaries. The area takes its name from the Clerks' Well, a spring where medieval parish clerks performed mystery plays. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Clerkenwell had become known for watchmaking and printing, with countless small workshops filling its narrow streets. In the twentieth century, the area declined before being revitalized from the 1980s onwards, transforming into one of London's most desirable postcodes with a thriving mix of design studios, restaurants, and converted warehouse apartments. The Old Red Lion stands at the northern edge of this neighbourhood, where Clerkenwell begins to transition into Islington.
The immediate surroundings of the pub reflect this rich history. Sadler's Wells Theatre, one of London's premier dance venues, sits nearby on Rosebery Avenue, continuing the area's theatrical traditions. Exmouth Market, a charming pedestrianized street lined with independent cafes and restaurants, lies a short walk to the west. To the south, the ancient precincts of St John's Gate and the Museum of the Order of St John speak to Clerkenwell's medieval past. The Marx Memorial Library on Clerkenwell Green, where Lenin once worked, reminds visitors of the area's radical political history. This context of artistic, political and historical significance makes the Old Red Lion feel very much part of Clerkenwell's fabric.
The pub has long attracted those involved in theatre, writing, and the arts more broadly, though it maintains the welcoming atmosphere of a proper local rather than an exclusive artistic hangout. Its position as a launching pad for theatrical talent means that on any given evening, one might be drinking alongside emerging actors, directors fresh from rehearsals, or writers discussing their latest projects. The literary and theatrical connections are organic rather than manufactured, growing naturally from the pub's function as a working fringe theatre venue. This creates an atmosphere of creative energy without pretension, where serious artistic endeavour coexists with the simple pleasures of a good pint in a historic London pub.
The best time to visit the Old Red Lion is undoubtedly when attending one of its theatrical productions, allowing visitors to experience the unique combination of pub and performance space that defines the venue's character. Evening performances typically begin around eight o'clock, giving patrons time to arrive early for a drink in the bar before heading upstairs. The pub can get busy before and after shows, particularly during runs of well-reviewed productions, but the atmosphere remains convivial rather than overcrowded. For those simply wanting to enjoy the pub itself, weekday evenings tend to be quieter, offering a chance to appreciate the Victorian interior and soak up the theatrical ambiance without the pre-show bustle.
Visitors should expect an authentic, unpretentious London pub experience rather than anything polished or tourist-oriented. The Old Red Lion is a working venue that takes both its pub and theatre functions seriously, offering genuine hospitality in historic surroundings. The combination of centuries-old licensing history, Victorian architecture, and contemporary fringe theatre creates something genuinely special – a place where London's past and present creative energies meet over a pint of real ale. For those interested in theatre, literary history, or simply experiencing an unspoiled corner of historic London, the Old Red Lion rewards a visit with character, atmosphere, and the sense of discovering something real in an increasingly homogenized city.