The Seven Stars, Chancery Lane

This is one of the truly great pubs of London. Visually charming it is packed with, yes often eccentric, but stunningly educated, talented and amusing human beings; from the law, show-biz, architecture and other creative works, as well as many clergy and a few professors from the nearby London School of Economics. This level of talent includes many of the bar staff; who run other successful ventures outside of The Seven Stars.

It is a community-pub at heart, with more than a few living actually in the City itself (including myself, a regular over the last 3 years). Approach it in this way, and you will find it charming. Come in expecting the false politeness of scripted chain-pubs, and you will find it impossibly difficult.

The menu is tasty and changes daily. Only what's written on the board is on the menu. This does not include chips...in fact it never includes chips. Once told this do not keep asking if you can have chips (or a cup of tea!)....you can't, and often results in what some have chosen to see as rudeness.

The pub is small (very small) having its foundation 350 years ago. If you come as a large group you may find it difficult unless you want to stand outside (which you may have to anyway in the evening as it's often packed to the gills post workday.) Much better to pop in on your own and find an interesting conversation. Conversations about football and women are in the hen's-teeth category, although Dan behind the bar can talk bloodlines of racehorses with the best of them.

The latrines to be fair are up some very steep stairs (coming down is more difficult), ...because steep stairs were fashionable 350 years ago. Indeed for most of the history of this pub patrons used the now closed public toilets at the entrance to Lincoln's Inn. Thus the current need for the climb-of-death.

In short, the Seven Stars is like Narnia's Aslan - �He's not a tame lion...but he is good�.

25 Feb 2010 11:08