Image credit: Fitzroy Tavern, Fitzrovia, W1 by Ewan Munro is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 (modified from original)
Why The Fitzroy Tavern Is Worth Seeking Out
You may have come looking for The Fitzroy Tavern because of its famous literary history, or perhaps you’re exploring Fitzrovia and want to visit the pub that helped give the neighborhood its name.
Standing on the corner of Charlotte Street and Windmill Street, The Fitzroy is a traditional London pub with a beautifully restored Victorian interior that recreates the atmosphere of a late-nineteenth-century tavern. It’s a fascinating contrast to the writers and artists who made the pub famous during the twentieth century.
Know Before You Go
Crowd Expectations — The small drinking compartments can become crowded during busy evenings, so visiting earlier in the day gives you more room to appreciate the historic interior.
Food & Dining — Expect traditional British pub classics rather than an elaborate dining menu. The kitchen may close between lunch and dinner service, so check current food-serving hours before planning a meal.
Reservations — The small drinking compartments aren’t ideal for larger groups. If you’re planning to visit with a group, contact the pub ahead of time about seating and reservations.
Visiting with Children — The historic drinking rooms can be difficult to navigate with a stroller, particularly when crowded. Check directly with the pub about its current policy for children.
Accessibility — Several levels are connected by stairs, which may be difficult for visitors with limited mobility.
House Rules — The Fitzroy Tavern is a Samuel Smith’s pub with some unusual rules: no mobile phone use (including photography), no background music and no swearing.
Where to Settle In
The ground floor is the place to appreciate the Fitzroy Tavern’s historic drinking compartments, with their dark mahogany partitions and intimate snugs. These small spaces give the pub much of its old-fashioned character.
Upstairs, there’s a more open seating and dining area that may be a better choice if you’re planning a meal or visiting with friends. The basement also has additional bar space, although availability may vary.
What to Look For Inside The Fitzroy Tavern
The wooden partitions are the first thing to notice when you walk through the door.
Unlike pubs with one large, open drinking room, The Fitzroy Tavern is divided into six smaller drinking areas arranged around a central bar. Look closely at the polished mahogany partitions, etched glass screens, mirrors and decorative tiles.
Much of what you see was recreated during a major restoration completed in 2016, when the pub’s owners brought back the separate drinking compartments that had disappeared during earlier renovations.
The walls are also worth exploring. Photographs, portraits and memorabilia recall the writers, artists and colorful characters who made The Fitzroy famous during the twentieth century.
What’s the Pint Pick?
Order a pint of Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery Bitter if it’s available. This traditional 4% Yorkshire bitter has a smooth, malty character with hints of toffee and a pleasantly dry finish. It’s served from oak casks in the cellar and is a fitting choice for a pub so carefully restored to its Victorian appearance.
The Fitzroy Tavern serves Samuel Smith’s own beers, so don’t expect familiar brands such as Guinness or Stella Artois.
Order your pint or half-pint at the bar and pay when you order. If the card machine prompts you for a tip, you can press skip. Digital prompts are increasingly common these days, but tipping is still not customary when buying drinks at a London pub bar counter.
The Literary History: George Orwell, Dylan Thomas and the Birth of Fitzrovia
During the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, The Fitzroy Tavern became a gathering place for London’s writers, artists and bohemians. Among its famous regulars were George Orwell, Dylan Thomas and the Welsh painter Nina Hamnett, whose colorful personality earned her the nickname “Queen of Bohemia.”
The pub was so closely associated with this artistic crowd that it helped give the surrounding neighborhood its name. The term Fitzrovia became popular during the 1930s, when writers and journalists began using it to describe the area around The Fitzroy Tavern.
As you explore the rooms, look for the photographs and portraits recalling the pub’s literary past. The restored Victorian partitions belong to an earlier chapter of the building’s history, but the writers and artists who gathered here made The Fitzroy one of London’s most celebrated bohemian pubs.
Address: 16 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 2LY
Nearest Station: Goodge Street or Tottenham Court Road
Website: The Fitzroy Tavern