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Bear & Staff, London

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Operator: Nicholson's (Mitchells & Butlers)
10-12 Bear Street, Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7AX (View on Google Map)
(020) 7321 0814
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First licensed in 1714 and called the Bear and Ragged Staff until 1835, this is a late Victorian (re-built in 1878) corner pub that was one of the smallest in the area until extended into an adjacent shop in 1997, giving it two distinct areas. Upstairs is the Chaplin restaurant dedicated to Charlie Chaplin (who is supposed to have drunk here after performances at the Empire Theatre) with photographs.

The food offering includes pre-theatre set menus, sharing platters, traditional pies and other pub grub favourites, a kids menu, and Sunday roasts. Food options also include takeaway and delivery, as well as eating in the pub. Four or more cask ales are normally available.

Historic Interest

Bear Street (that has also been known as Little Leicester Street and Bear Lane) and the pub's name appear to derive from the armorial insignia of the Neville family, once Earls of Warwick. A one-time neighbour was the Cinema de Paris opened in 1910, remodelled and reconstructed in 1926 as the Cameo and through various evolutions including RevudeNews, Cameo Royale (X-rated foreign language films) eventually closing as part of the Cannon Group chain in 1988.

Information for this venue is provided by the West London Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Westminster
Last updated
27/08/2025
Last surveyed
04/02/2020
Leasehold owner
no lease
Freehold owner
Mitchells & Butlers
Pub ID
WLD/16043
Asset of Community Value
Monday
11:30am - 11:00pm
Tuesday
11:30am - 11:00pm
Wednesday
11:30am - 11:00pm
Thursday
11:30am - 11:30pm
Friday
11:30am - Midnight
Saturday
11:00am - Midnight
Sunday
Noon - 10:30pm
Monday
Noon - 10:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 10:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 10:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 10:00pm
Friday
Noon - 10:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 10:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 9:00pm
TasteMatch

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Current beers

This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 2 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Sharp's - Doom Bar TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Sharp's Doom Bar Pump Clip-1
Sharp's - Doom Bar Session Bitter • 4%
Sharp's Doom Bar Pump Clip-1
Sharp's - Doom Bar

This beer is served regularly at Bear & Staff, London.

ABV 4%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale Session Pale Ale • 4%
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale

This beer is served regularly at Bear & Staff, London.

ABV 4%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Pale Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No
Changing

Changing beers typically include: Draught Bass , Fyne Ales - Jarl

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Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
Certain events shown, see venue website
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Restaurant Restaurant
Wi Fi Wi Fi
O2
AccessAble
AccessAble
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Cask Marque Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating
Cask Marque: Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating 5 out of 5
Transport
Close to bus routes (50m)
24, 29, 176
Nearby Station (450m)
London Charing Cross
Close to London Underground/Overground/DLR (100m)
Leicester Square

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