Old Red Lion Theatre Pub

🚇 Angel
🍺 £6.50 Moretti

An Historic Oldschool Theatre Pub.

The Old Red Lion is located at the northern end of Clerkenwell close to Sadler’s Well Theatre. The nearest Tube is Angel, it’s a two minute walk to get here.

This pub was founded in 1415 which makes this one of the oldest surviving established pubs in London. The original pub appears in the painting "Evening" by 17th century born painter William Hogarth. The building you see today dates from 1899

The Old Red Lion Theatre is located upstairs, it opened its doors in 1979 and is still going strong today. This pub is also home to the Capital Canaries the official London fan club for Norwich City.

This is a traditionally decorated one bar pub that is red by name and red by nature. There is a characterful oldschool feel to the place with a couple of original features surviving. The servery stretches down the right hand side and has a 1930’s back bar. At the front right is a Victorian etched glass glazed screen which divides the main bar with what would have been the old Saloon Bar. The seating is long banquettes, little red stools plus a couple of comfy chesterfields at the far end by the projector screen. One of the most interesting facets of this pub is the historic timeline of the pub which is on the left hand wall, this definitely worth a read as part of a visit here. To cement this pub’s ‘proper pub’ credentials, there is a patterned red carpet running throughout.

The beer selection is good and includes cask and craft beers from local brewers @hammertonbrew , there are also popular mainstream brands too. I decided on a Moretti, my pint hit the spot, price point a little above average. The pub doesn’t have a food menu at present.

I visited a couple of times last year, my last visit was back in October. We arrived just after 12pm so we could have a good look around the pub before it got busy. We met with Guv’nor Damien who was telling us all about the history of the pub and the challenges he faces in running an old theatre pub in London. He also kindly gave me a copy of a book called ‘The Red Lioness’ which is about a woman who visited 650 pubs in 4 years, a kindred spirit.

Visiting The Old Red Lion was an enjoyable experience, who doesn’t love an oldschool boozer. The beer selection was good, there’s lots of history and there’s a passionate Guv’nor at the helm. This pub is well worth a visit if you’re in the area.

ℹ Info correct on visiting 14.10.23

Went here randomly as was going to see a show down the road.

There were showing a st Pauli game when I went, which I liked. Has an old school vibe so not the best facilities but I think it's adds to the charm.

Just finished attending the performance Bones Bones and I need to say that was the best play I never seen! Thank you! Please more of this

Came to the theatre
Saw Tea Leaves was brilliant
Had a beer after and met loads of really cool people
Was a great evening can’t wait to come back

What a wonderful place. There is a theatre upstairs. This is what the old red lion is, a theatre: everywhere you look there is a play going on. Sports pub, community pub, event pub, a proper chameleon. I really enjoyed my visit, thank you to all who made it special

Great pub! Nice staff, traditional, interesting interior. I've seen a few great plays at the theatre upstairs! Worth popping by or checking their website every now and then to see what's on!

Great pub. Super service. Also great place to watch footie!

Excellent traditional independent pub (over 600 years old). They serve good Pieminster pies. Clearly supporters of Norwich FC and there's a well-behaved pub dog.

Very cozy, historic pub with a theatre upstairs. Great selection of ciders when I went (my favorite was Rosie rhubarb). No problem getting drinks or food orders in. Relatively friendly / professional staff.

Their food is no longer pie minister, but a combination of pub and Indian food. I loved their fried scampi - very satisfying, though be prepared for slightly thicker, super crunchy skin. Their Indian falafel wrap was nice, as was their falafel bowl. Their falafel is lentil and spinach, and is called something else in the Indian part of the menu. Be aware that the prices are a bit high for the amount of food.

I love how the pub really showcases their history across the wall opposite the bar. The walk up to the theatre is also lined with old theatre posters.

Rez and Danny were wonderful bartenders! They made my girlfriend and I feel like we were old friends ☺
Both of them offered great advice for travelling and staying in London, helped us navigate the theatre show. And by the end of the night Rez even told me I should marry my girlfriend of 5 years.. which, advice I probably wouldn’t give anyone I just met, is a testament to how close we became so fast!

Thanks for creating such a magical and cozy environment! ❤ the red lion theatre pub!!

Talk about history, a 600 year olde pub! Great place with a theatre upstairs.

Spacious pub with a giant beer garden. Came here for a play and upstairs, the theatre has an intimate atmosphere where is easy to connect with the actors and be absorb by the story. A great traditional pub with great beers, superb service and an intimate theatre upstairs.

Amazing pub! Came here for the FA Cup final & would absolutely visit again. 48 hours before the final I had a pub booking elsewhere randomly cancelled, ended up emailing Damien on the off chance that there would be space for two to watch the match. Let us stay for most of the day. Beautiful pub, staff are so welcoming & give amazing service. Adapted to support covid guidelines which kept us all safe, but still allowed an amazing atmosphere. Well worth the visit!!

Such a nice vibe. I went to have a calmer drink during a Saturday night and had a wonderful time. Not too lively but a very alive and nice atmosphere.

A brilliant independent pub with friendly staff, good range of drinks and a theatre upstairs. They show sports but I won't hold that against them as it still has a warm safe atmosphere. It's a proper decent London pub

A really nice, traditional pub. Friendly staff. Friendly pub dog wandering around sometimes. I've also seen some great shows in the little theatre upstairs. Unfortunately there's sometime sport on a screen, but other than that it's a lovely relaxing place for a pint.

Lovely old English theatre pub. Superbly kept beer especially the N1, brewed just down the road. Fresh, clean and tasty. Damien the landlord is a super chap and very knowledgeable. A great venue to watch the football as it right next to Angel tube for getting home.

One of my favourite pub theatres. They attract some really super up-and-coming talent. Small, but I love small. Pub staff are really nice. I understand it is also popular with the sports fans. The ladies' loo is an object lesson in taking turns but is always clean.

I have attended may performances here, it's always has a charm and a great welcome. Great selection of beer, wines, spirits.

Has a good pub menu to wet your appetite. I love coming here, especially to see what they have on at the theatre upstairs.

Amazing little place - we went to see a reading in the theatre upstairs, which was an amazing little venue. The main pub downstairs has great beer on tap, isn't too expensive for the area, and is large enoigh that you could probably avoid the sport on big screens if you wanted to. Looked like they did good pie + pint deals as well. Recommended.