Why The Museum Tavern Is Worth Walking Into
You may have spotted The Museum Tavern while visiting the British Museum, or perhaps you’ve come looking for the historic pub associated with Karl Marx and London’s literary past.
Standing directly opposite the museum on Great Russell Street, The Museum Tavern is a traditional London pub with a beautifully preserved Victorian interior. Behind its ornate exterior, you’ll find a long wooden bar, decorative mirrors, etched glass and historic details that recall the days when Victorian pubs had separate drinking rooms.
Know Before You Go
Crowd Expectations — The Museum Tavern attracts a steady mix of British Museum visitors, tourists and local drinkers. Lunchtime can be particularly busy as museum visitors head across Great Russell Street looking for somewhere to eat.
Food & Dining — Expect traditional British pub favorites, including fish and chips and savory pies. Food is served throughout much of the day, but check the current kitchen hours before planning a late meal.
Reservations — Walk-ins are welcome, but some tables may be reserved for upcoming bookings. If you’re planning lunch after visiting the British Museum, booking ahead is a good idea.
Visiting with Children — The Museum Tavern welcomes families, making it a convenient stop for lunch after visiting the British Museum. The single-room layout can become crowded, so a quieter visit may be more comfortable with a stroller. Check directly with the pub about any evening age restrictions.
Where to Settle In
The old lettering on the windows tells a story about how this pub once worked.
The Museum Tavern has one large, open drinking room rather than a collection of separate Victorian snugs. The original divisions have been removed, making it easy to find your way around.
If you’re ordering food, find an available table first, note the table number, then order and pay at the bar. Take your drinks back with you, and your food will be brought to the table. You can also order through the Greene King app, but it isn’t necessary.
Before settling in, look at the etched glass on the windows and entrance doors. You’ll find old labels such as Public Bar, Private Bar, Saloon and Luncheon Buffet, reminders of a time when customers entered different sections of the pub.
Behind the bar, look for the large historic Watney’s advertising mirror and the decorative woodwork overhead. These are some of the details that make The Museum Tavern worth a closer look.
If you’d rather sit outdoors, there are also pavement tables facing Great Russell Street and the British Museum.
What’s the Pint Pick?
Order a pint of Theakston’s Old Peculier if it’s available. This traditional 5.6% dark ale from Yorkshire has a rich, malty character with notes of dark fruit. It’s a distinctive alternative to the more familiar Greene King bitters, although availability can vary.
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: Karl Marx and Sherlock Holmes
The Museum Tavern has long been associated with the writers and intellectuals who gathered around the British Museum.
Karl Marx spent years researching in the museum’s famous Reading Room across the street and is traditionally counted among the tavern’s visitors. Author J. B. Priestley is another literary figure associated with the pub, although stories about exactly where these famous customers sat are harder to verify.
There’s also a Sherlock Holmes connection. In Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, a character visits the Alpha Inn near the British Museum. The Museum Tavern is traditionally identified as the inspiration for this fictional pub, although the story never names it directly.
Address: 49 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3BA
Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road or Holborn
Website: The Museum Tavern
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