Finding The Best Pub In London | Food Tours | Food Insider

Who will be Oily Johnnie tonight? So, frankly, no, in all the pubs we've been to today, we don't have anything like this in America. Because if we wanted something like this in America, we'd have to recreate it. This is what I've noticed in many places here, because they are very old. You know how you just open the door and you're in? Yes. In the United States, most places, because they were built so recently, have like two doors or one entrance. Actually no. You guys just have this, like, I'm in. However, what I like about all of these pubs is that they are very welcoming.

I feel, I do feel like, yeah, I could come here every day after work and hang out and see my friends and feel like I'm not at home, but in a more welcoming environment than, say, an American bar that's like "Yes, hurry up, get drunk and leave." Unless it's very, very busy, you won't see anyone get so frustrated by the wait. I feel like, as you say, certain things like cask beers, for example a Guinness, as part of the process of making a Guinness, is to let it sit for a while to settle. Dude, most places serve a Guinness in the US like you serve a regular pint.

Actually? It's a nightmare. We saw someone order Guinness on the rocks in New York when we were there. I was so confused. That's so embarrassing. I can not believe that. There was a time when I thought this was something all Americans did. No! That was that person specifically. That's not normal. I realized this because then the waiter looked at his companion and said, "What do I do?" and he said, yeah, I guess just put some ice in a glass and serve it. Now, here, if I said, "Can I have a Guinness in a glass with ice," would you do it?

Or would they say "No"? Oh, I don't know if they would. They may give you ice on the side, if you ask nicely. Joe: That's what's missing in America. We need more people to step up and say, "No, that's not happening." Harry: "No, you can't." Joe: "No, I won't." The customer is not always right. Honestly, if all the pubs we went to today were close to each other, and you could choose which one to hang out at, this one would be in the top half. Interesting. Yeah, I feel like, yeah, some of the other ones we went to, I was like, yeah, I get it.

Let's get out of here. I think generally today what we've tried to do is give you a tour of what I would say are quite historic pubs in central London, which are maybe the sort of pubs you'd find in a typical guidebook. , but at the top end of them. OK. I will say that there are around 3500 pubs in London, so for us to really find the

best

one, we would probably have to visit more than we have today. There are so many pubs. But I think the ones we've seen offer a pretty good description of the historical culture of London pubs.

Absolutely. Yeah, well, I'm happy these places let us in. Me too. Joe: I had a fantastic time. But yeah, this has been really cool. Do we want to choose our favorite, even if it is a little debatable? Yes, I think I would be interested to hear your general opinion on the pubs we visited today. If you want to pick a favorite, that's fine. My favorite, the only one, all things considered, if I could go back regularly, I think the old Jamaica Wine House was my favorite. Nice. Joe: I thought they were all great, but that was the one that really gave me that dark Victorian wood feel.

But I felt like it was, it was cozy. They all were. But in addition to being cozy, it was also very comfortable. I felt that with the walls, the partitions that they had up there, it didn't feel as open. I felt like we could have our own place. I mean, I know we had that cider, which was kind of gross, but I guess they have other better beers on tap. Harry: They do. Joe: I just liked the vibe of that one better, so. Harry: Oh, good. Generally speaking, yeah, I think for me it was probably between the Compton Arms and the old Jamaica Wine House.

Yeah, but that doesn't count, because you come here all the time anyway. It's true, I'm biased, yes. If you lived in old Jamaica, would that be your place? Possibly yes. I would have to make a lot more money to live in that part of the city, because it's so central, but I really loved the whole thing, like you were walking through these alleys. Joe: Yeah. Harry: It feels like you're in old London, you know? Joe: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Harry: And you've stumbled upon this little hidden gem. I thought that was really cool. And yes, as you say, a very welcoming, friendly, warm, secluded place that I would happily see myself there.

I didn't dislike any place. They all had cool elements that I liked, but that was the one that overall I thought, yeah, this is a good place. That's fair enough. I respect that. Again, I feel like a lot of people will probably comment and say, "Why didn't you go to this pub?" "This is the

best

pub." "This is my favorite pub, my local." Comments disabled on this one. Comments disabled on this one. Or we leave comments and make a second part. Yeah, that's even better, yeah. Alright. Joe: Someone do a poll on where we should have gone, and I'll come back in a year and do it.

Hey! Alright. I'm ready for another beer. And you? Yes, I think I can do another one too. Joe: Let's do it.