This pub was editorially chosen for inclusion by Londonist.
This place is, far and away, the most interesting thing on Farringdon Street, the Square Mile's dullest road. The name remembers Robert Harrild, a famous printer of the early 19th century whose factories were hereabouts. His machinery is all over the food menu.
It's a spacious old building, from the same stable as the splendid Well and Bucket in Shoreditch. Indeed, the decor and concept is all very familiar, with skull portraits on the walls, a copper-topped bar and electrical fittings, light-coloured bricks and dark woods. A vast skylight illuminates the comfy back room.
Drinkers of rare ales will squeal, with two or three unfamiliar casks, many more on keg (including a couple of powerful tipples above 10%), and a lot o' bottles. We haven't tried the eats, but the menu resembles that of its Shoreditch cousin, which serves among the best pub food we've ever sampled. Fresh oysters are a speciality. The comparisons go even further — both establishments also boast a dimly lit basement cocktail bar for when the beer and wine is not enough. An early starters menu from 5ish sees some of the house cocktails served upstairs at a discount. A marvellous place.
On Facebook. On Twitter as @Harrildandsons
Last updated August 2015.
