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Pubs in Covent Garden are habitually rammed, and this place is no exception. Venture upstairs to the Dryden Room, however, and the Lamb and Flag almost guarantees you a seat in a pleasant space with its own bar (though, depending when you visit, you may have to commit to dining).
And what a nice place. Formerly The Bucket of Blood, the pub dates back to the mid-17th century and was probably frequented by most of the great names of the Restoration period. A plaque outside notes how the poet Dryden was mugged in the adjacent alley.
More tavern trauma inside, where a Latin inscription running around the top of the bar translates as 'My purpose is to die in a tavern, so that wine might be close to my dying mouth. Then a choir of angels will happily sing, May God be merciful toward this drinker.' Don't let any of this doom and gloom put you off.
The booze is good, too, with something like eight draught ales from which to choose, though they're all from the Fuller's range. The food is of the traditional pub grub variety.
Finally, look out for the graffito on a high-up brick immediately facing the pub. It bears the name of Emma Bowden, thought to be a former landlady of the pub who fell on hard times.
If you don't like our photos, there's a 360 degree tour available on the pub's website.
On Facebook. On Twitter as @Lamb_and_Flag.
Last updated November 2018.
