Last night, a smattering of the cream of the London pub trade gathered at the Lord Clyde on Essex Road to scoff wicked scotch eggs and sausages and cheer the achievements of 13 ace London pubs as recipients of Fancyapint awards.
The annual awards are split into 2 categories: readers' and reviewers' awards and 2 awards for 'most improved'. Last night, a special reviewers' award went to The Colton Arms, Barons Court for 10 whole years of consistent excellent pub-ness. Now you have an excuse to find out where Barons Court really is and pay a visit to this 5-pinter.
Check out all the winners after the jump. Let us know what you think: have you been to any of them? Will you be going now? Do you disagree with the verdicts? Is your favourite boozer rewarded? Do comment. Meanwhile, congratulations to all the winning pubs.
Visitors' Awards
Overall winner: The Jerusalem Tavern, Farringdon (55 Britton Street, EC1M 5NA, 020 7490 4281 )
A unique pub with great beers from the award-winning St Peter's Brewery and a wonderful interior.
Commercial Tavern, Shoreditch (142 Commercial Street, E1 6NU,020 7247 1888)
An artier affair, mixing the bohemian with the traditional to make a very individual pub.
Churchill Arms, Notting Hill (119 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LN, 020 7727 4242)
Famous for a long time, and placed as one of London's great pubs in our book.
Princess Louise, Holborn (208-209 High Holborn, WC1V 7BW, 020 7405 8816)
Fantastic revamped Victorian interior and a stalwart of the Sam Smith's chain - probably the most beautiful pub in London.
Wilmington Arms, Clerkenwell (69 Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4RL, 020 7837 1384)
Busy and popular live music pub - the place to see up and coming talent in London.
Reviewers' awards
Overall winner: Lord Clyde, Highbury (342 Essex Road, N1 3PB, 020 7288 9850)
A traditional pub that has successfully made the move upmarket, but hasn't forgotten what a pub is about, with great beer and food as an added bonus.
Antelope, Belgravia (22 Eaton Terrace, SW1W 8EZ, 020 7824 8512)
Excellent, cricket-obsessed local in the heart of Belgravia with great beer and atmosphere.
Eagle, Old Street (2 Shepherdess Walk, N1 7LB, 020 7250 0507)
Described as a 'tarted up gin palace' this one's got good beers and a popular beer garden, mixing modern with traditional to good effect.
King Charles I, King's Cross (55-57 Northdown Street, N1 9BL, 020 7837 7758)
A friendly and relaxed pub - if a trifle on the eccentric side - just around the corner from King's Cross, and great beer, including local ales.
North Pole, Docklands (74 Manilla Street, E14 8LG, 020 7987 5443)
A top traditional local just a Blackberry's throw from the braying Canary Wharf hordes.
Most Improved
Earl Ferrers, Streatham (22 Ellora Road, SW16 6JF, 020 8835 8333)
A superb gastro-local in the hinterland off Streatham High Road that is light years away from it's predecessor.
Shaftesbury Tavern, Archway (534 Hornsey Road, N19 3QN, 020 7272 7950)
A pub reborn from the ashes - authentic Victorian décor and great beer make this one to go out of your way for.
Photography by Gordon Butler
Fancyapint provides an affable and well rounded perspective on London pubs. You can consult the collected wit and wisdom of the fancyapint crew online or buy their book. Know and love pubs? Perhaps you could become a reviewer.
