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London Bar Guide

Belgian beer can be found all over London...but you have to know where to look. In common with many aspects of Belgian culture, it doesn't really advertise its presence, so here is an up-to-date guide to pubs, bars and restaurants in and around London where you can drink Belgian beer.
A list of off licences stocking Belgian beer can be found at the end of the main list.
Please help! If you know of anywhere in or near London which stocks a range of Belgian beer please
e-mail me with details - or, better still, let everyone know by posting a note on the messageboard.

Abbaye Belgian Brasserie, 102 Old Brompton Road, London SW5   
Five minutes' walk from South Kensington tube. Noisy bar area at the front, quieter dining area at the back. Orval, Straffe Hendrik, Chimay, Rochefort, Duvel, Kwak, Delirium Tremens and the usual suspects from Leffe and Belle-Vue on draught and various fruit beers.

Abbaye, 242 The Glades, Bromley   
Grimbergen and a good selection of fruit and blond beers are available at this Abbaye, along with Belgian cuisine.

Auberge, 1 Sandell Street, London SE1   
Candles on the tables and old church seats give this place, located in a lane right outside Waterloo Station, an intimate atmosphere. Auberge serves Stella, Hoegaarden & Leffe Blond on tap, and the bottled range includes Duvel, Chimay, Rochefort, Kwak & various fruit beers. The food is good, but the service can be somewhat charmless. Other Auberges can be found in the Whitgift Centre, Croydon, the Peacock Centre, Woking and Uxbridge.

Belgo Centraal, 50 Earlham Street, London WC2 (020 7813 2233)   
This massive place in Covent Garden, situated at the convergence of Shelton St & Earlham St, was reputedly the largest restaurant in London when it opened a few years back. Very modern, all glass and steel but  with an incongruous monastic motif. If it is busy, you can drink at the small bar at the entrance while waiting to be called. When the table is ready, you step onto a sort of industrial gantry and are transported to the lower level, where you then have the pleasure of walking past the assembly line of mussel-pots to the large beer hall. The menu is based on mussels in various sauces though there are other options such as sausage, and all are naturally served with frites and mayonnaise. Belgo Centraal is something of an all-round sensory experience, though some may find it all a bit on the hectic side.

Belgo Noord, 72 Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 (020 7267 0718)   
Less frantic than the Covent Garden branch, the original Belgo is located opposite The Roundhouse near Chalk Farm tube station, just far enough away from the market to avoid the claustrophobic crowds. There is an elegant curved bar at one end of the restaurant which is divided down the middle by a partition wall. Belgo Noord is decked out in a modern style with plenty of natural light streaming in and a nice conversation-piece in the form of a long list of odd words (most I believe to be improbably-named fish but I could well be wrong) around the wall. The beerlist and menu are the same as the other Belgos.

Click here to go to the Belgo/Bierodrome website.

The Bierodrome, 173/174 Upper Street, London N1 (020 7226 5835)   
Ultra-stylish Belgo offshoot which is essentially more of a bar than a restaurant, so you can drink in a less frenetic atmosphere. The range has been severely reduced from the original - and somewhat ambitious - 201 beers to a less inspiring range of around 30-odd. There is a cut-down Belgo menu as well as snacks. The décor celebrates the idiosyncrasies of Belgian culture. They also sell glasses and gift sets.

The Bierodrome, 44-48 Clapham High Street, London SW4 (020 7720 1118)   
The South London Bierodrome is similar in design to the North London original. The dining and drinking sections are quite distinct, being separated by the central bar area. Like the other Belgo establishments, the clientèle mainly comprises people on a big night out.
The Bierodrome is located between Clapham North and Clapham Common Northern Line stations.

The Bierodrome, 67 Kingsway, London WC2 (020 7242 7469)   
You know the deal by now...

The Bull, 100 Upper Street, London N1(020 7354 9174)   
Leffe and Grimbergen Blonde, and Hoegarden on tap and also a selection of bottled beers. Has a nice relaxed feel to it and serves some quite good food.

The Cow, 89 Westbourne Park Rd, London W2 (Dining Rooms 020 7221 2021)   
Excellent and unusual West London local. The Cow sells over a dozen Belgian beers including De Koninck and Hoegaarden on draught, the latter thankfully bereft of its usual fancy pump. The bar food is based on shellfish, principally oysters, and a friendly atmosphere pervades the establishment. The clientèle is a mix of locals and people who have sought out The Cow specially, and the décor is simple - traditional with a few retro Guinness ads adorning the walls.
There is a highly-regarded restaurant, 'The Cow Dining Rooms', upstairs.

De Hems, 11 Macclesfield Street, London W1   
Dutch 'café bar' just off Shaftesbury Avenue serving a good range of Belgian beer. As well as the familiar ones (Chimay, Duvel etc.) they also have some less usual ones (Palm, Karmeliet). All these can be enjoyed with chips and mayonnaise.

The Dog and Bell, 116 Prince Street, London SE8   
Small local nestling amongst the Thamesside housing estates, The Dog and Bell offers Piraat, Hommelbier, Bieken, Troubadour, Dikke Matilda, Oud Beersel, Hannsens Kriek and several others. It's easily accessed from London Bridge, being only a five minute walk from Deptford station.

The Dovetail, 9 Jerusalem Passage, London EC1 (020 7490 7321)   
This is not ideally placed for passing trade, located as it is in a tiny lane in the labyrinthine depths of Clerkenwell, but it is a jewel. The Leffe lanterns outside make a welcoming sight indeed.
There are 100+ beers available here. The menu is eclectic with a Belgian thread running through, and the clientèle is mainly composed of local office workers. On tap they serve Stella, Jupiler, Belle-Vue Kriek & Gueuze, Leffe Blonde & Brune, De Koninck plus a guest ale. Anyone even slightly interested in Belgian beer should find it well worth seeking out.
For special occasions, you can buy beer by the barrel, and they can also organise beer & cheese tasting evenings.

The Dove Freehouse, 24-26 Broadway Market, London E8 (020 7275 7617)   
This place in Hackney combines the same range of Belgian beer as the other 'Doves' with a real ale and lager range found in more conventional London pubs. Cosy interior with a great atmosphere.
"Not so much a pub as a set from a David Lynch movie", said the Evening Standard.
The Doves collectively picked up the 1999 Hop Award for pubs promoting Belgian beer. Click here here to go to the Doves website.

Lowlander Beer Café, 36 Drury Lane, London WC2 (020 7379 7446)   
Dutch-style Covent Garden café offering a large range of continental beers on tap and more in bottles. Belgian brews available include four of the Trappists, Straffe Hendrik, Mort Subite Geueze and others. Moreover, there are interesting Dutch beers aplenty, along with a sizeable winelist. Glen Baxter cartoons decorate the walls, and the location makes it ideal for an evening session or a quick beer'n'chips of an afternoon.

The Magpie & Crown, High Street, Brentford, Middlesex   
This homely real ale pub, sometime local CAMRA pub of the year, has an ever changing roster of Belgian (and German) bottled beers, plus Hoegaarden and Affligem on draught. German beer aficionados note they now also have Paulaner Weisse Beer and Paulaner Munchner Original on tap, served in the correct glasses.

Microbar, 14 Lavender Hill, London SW11 (020 7228 5300)   
New Battersea establishment dedicated to selling only the finest quality beers. Consequently, Belgium is well-represented - Liefmans, Westmalle Triple, Orval, Duvel, gueuzes from Mort Subite & Cantillon, Timmermans, and Rodenbach Grand Cru. Also Melbourn Bros. fruit beers and the superb Liberty Ale from San Francisco on tap. Nearest tube is Clapham Common, national rail Queenstown Road Battersea or Clapham Junction.

The Portobello Gold, 97 Portobello Road, London W11 (020 7460 4900)   
A multi-functional place (bar/restaurant/hotel/cybercafé/gallery) in Notting Hill. The Gold is a small, friendly bar selling Hoegaarden & Leffe on tap and a few other Belgian selections in bottles: Chimay, Westmalle Tripel, Hoegaarden Grand Cru and Forbidden Fruit. An excellent, relaxed establishment, though don't expect the correct glass. www.portobellogold.com

The Porterhouse, 21-22 Maiden Lane, London WC2   
Large Irish pub located between Covent Garden & The Strand. The huge range of drinks available includes 20-30 Belgian beers. The place is split up into multiple levels and alcoves, so if you've arranged to meet friends here you may need to spend a bit of time hunting them down. The Porterhouse has gone for an industrial look - you won't find any pastoral Irish fakery here - and cabinets on the walls display a multitude of bottled beers. Unfortunately, all Belgian beers are served in a generic too-small glass. An excellent establishment, nonetheless.

The Priory Arms, 83 Lansdowne Way, London SW8   
Excellent but very small local less than five minutes' walk from Stockwell tube. Sells the Chimay range, Duvel and various Timmermans beers, along with German beers and numerous guest ales.

The Pub on the Park, 19 Martello Street, London E8   
Hackney pub overlooking London Fields, with plenty of outdoor seating. Hoegaarden, Lucifer and I think De Koninck and Leffe on tap.

Quinn's, 65 Kentish Town Road, London NW5   
Corner pub between Kentish Town & Camden with a huge beer range. This includes over 20 Belgian ales with Hoegaarden, Leffe Blond, Belle-Vue Kriek & Gueuze all on tap. There is something of a Leffe presence here with mirrors & even a Leffe flag on display. An excellent place for those seeking to consume their Belgian beers in a more conventional environment. Also has Sky TV.

Rose's, 49 Hare Street, London EC4   
Woolwich local selling the same range as The Dog and Bell in Deptford. !**Warning...No Belgian beer available according to latest reports...I'll try to find out more.**

The Railway, Kew Gardens Station, Station Parade, Richmond   
This station pub retains vestiges of the Firkin brand and sells Duvel, Westmalle, Leffe Brune, De Koninck, Delirium Tremens and a large number of fruit beers (albeit from the lightweight end of the spectrum). On Tuesday evenings there is a two-for-one deal, and better still, you can mix and match.

The Samuel Pepys, Stew Lane, High Timber St, London EC4   
Stylish pub right on the Thames offering a great view over to the Tate Modern. The drinks on offer here include Duvel, Liefmans, Hoegaarden, Orval & Chimay. As yet, it's only open on weekdays. www.samuelpepys.co.uk

The Wenlock Arms, 26 Wenlock Road, London N1   
Lively local just off the City Road which has won numerous CAMRA branch awards. Belgian beers on offer here are the three Chimays, Duvel and sometimes Liefmans. Their website documents the huge number of real ales they have gone through with impressive diligence and seems to be kept up-to-date with the latest goings on. The pub is located roughly half way between Angel and Old Street tube stations.

The White Horse, 1 Parsons Green, London SW6   
Well-known and busy pub in leafy Fulham, serving a broad range of Belgian beer and a good range of real ale too, not to mention plenty of bottled beers from elsewhere. Click here to go to The White Horse website.

Off Licences

Army and Navy, 101 Victoria Street, London SW1
Stocks Kwak; Brugs Witbier; Chimay red, blue and white; Leffe brune & Leffe triple; Belle Vue Gueuze; Westmalle Tripel; Delirium Tremens; La Guillotine; Judas gift pack including glass; Orval gift pack including glass, some nice Belgian beer glasses and Lucifer. Also some nice French beers including (La Choulette blonde, ambree and peche).

Cave Direct, 40 Parkview Road, Welling   
Long-established Belgian beer importer, off licence and on-line seller.

Kris Wines, 394 York Way, London N7   
About 30 Belgian beers available in this offie near the junction with Camden Road.

Nelson Wines, 168 Merton High Street, London SW19   
Small off licence selling an interesting range of 20-30 Belgian beers including many in 75cl bottles.

Quaffs, Spitalfields Fine Food Market, Crispin Place, London E1   
Specialist beer retailer with main emphasis on Belgian beers, though they do also stock Dutch, German, Austrian, Czech, Italian plus some from US micros.
Open Thur, Fri 11-5pm & Sun 10-5pm. www.quaffs.co.uk

Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1
The world-famous department store offers a very good range of Belgian beer:- Kwak, Cantillon Gueuze, Cantillon Kriek, Grimbergen Blonde, Saison Dupont, Witkap Pater, Witkap Tripel, La Trappe, La Chouffe, Boon Gueuze, Hoegaarden Grand Cru, a range of Leffes (though not the Vieille Cuvée), Abbaye des Roc, La Guillotine, St Bernardus (full range), Bush and many others. Not too pricey, either. Sadly they no longer stock glasses.

Theatre of Wine, 75 Trafalgar Road, London SE10   
Stocks Chimay Red and Blue, Orval, Leffe Vielle Cuvée, Hoegaarden, Forbidden Fruit, various lambics, Malheur and lots of others. www.theatreofwine.com

Utobeer, Borough Market, Southwark Street, London SE1   
Stall at "London's Larder". Open Friday afternoon and 9-4 on Saturdays, offering a broad selection of Belgian beers along with British and German ones. www.utobeer.co.uk. Also www.boroughmarket.org.uk.

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