Part of our Best Pubs in London microsite. Is your local listed?
The Olde Wine Shades is (possibly) the oldest pub in the Square Mile, certainly the central portion. It claims to date back to 1663, which means it must have survived the Great Fire of London three years later.
Walking in, and it's not entirely apparent that you're entering such a venerable building. The front room looks old, but it also looks a bit pastiche. The Davy's chain, who took over from El Vino in 2015, undertook a sensitive refit of the space, which now looks charming if not entirely ancient. Those ceiling beams are a little too neat, if you ask me.
The back room, used mainly for dining, has more of the ye olde vibe, with its panelled walls. Head downstairs (if open), however, for the real history. The Old Wine Cellar is just that, and even contains the bricked up mouth of a 'smugglers tunnel' that supposedly once led down to the Thames. Wikipedia says this, so it must be true.
Although ostensibly a wine bar, you'll find a couple of ales on tap as well as other staples like Guinness.
