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White Swan WC2 Aug 2015. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 02-08-2015
Image: White Swan WC2 Aug 2015. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 02-08-2015
White Swan sign WC2 Aug 2015. (Pub, External, Sign). Published on 02-08-2015
Image: White Swan sign WC2 Aug 2015. (Pub, External, Sign). Published on 02-08-2015
White Swan 2 WC2 Aug 2015. (Pub, External). Published on 02-08-2015
Image: White Swan 2 WC2 Aug 2015. (Pub, External). Published on 02-08-2015
(Pub, External). Published on 04-07-2013
Image: (Pub, External). Published on 04-07-2013

White Swan, London

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Operator: Nicholson's (Mitchells & Butlers)
14 New Row, Covent Garden, London, WC2N 4LF (View on Google Map)
(020) 3077 1129
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Grade II listed building dating back to the 17th century, once a coaching house and mentioned by the diarist Samuel Pepys.

An Irish-theme bar for many years, the pub was thoroughly refurbished and partly re-fitted as a traditional pub by Nicholson's, opening in May 2012. There is now a light and airy 1st floor restaurant with table service, and the ground floor bar has been considerably lightened and improved compared with the old Mucky Duck - a dark traditional market pub. It does get busy, as does any pub in Covent Garden, and background music may be little overpowering at times. TVs show muted rolling news or sports.

The White Swan was formerly a Hoare and Co. house, controlled by the bankers of Fleet Street, of the Red Lion Brewery with a reputation for stout and sparkling ales in Lower Smithfield, that closed in 1934, and there's a magnificent mirror with their name at the entrance.

Takeaway and delivery food options are also available.

This venue has in the past been reported as selling a real cider by CAMRAs definition. Further updates welcome.

Historic Interest

Grade II listed, Historic England ref 1224986. It is said that Dorothy L Sayers featured the White Swan in her 1933 Lord Peter Wimsey mystery 'Murder Must Advertise'. A keen reader (chapter XII 'Surprising Acquisition of a Junior Reporter' should you wish to check) would follow in the footsteps of the said reporter from the office of the Morning Star and Evening Comet, no longer finding a 3 a.m. breakfast of grilled sausage, coffee and rolls in Fleet Street, and be surprised to find any pub in Covent Garden open at 4.15 am. The days of the Market are long gone, along with the early morning hours for the market porters, but this particular novelised pub is more likely to have been the White Lion in James Street. Sayers' characters favour Guinness (one florid person in evening dress insisting on a double Scotch and not too much bloody soda) for the most part and no comment is offered on the ale on sale.

Information for this venue is provided by the West London Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
O'Neill's
Local Authority
Westminster
Last updated
20/10/2024
Last surveyed
04/02/2020
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
Mitchells & Butlers
Pub ID
WLD/16044
Asset of Community Value
Opening Times Unavailable

Current beers

This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 3 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
Fuller's London Pride Pumpclip
Fuller's - London Pride

Session Bitter

ABV: 4.1%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

This beer is served regularly.

Sharp's Doom Bar Pump Clip-1
Sharp's - Doom Bar

Session Bitter

ABV: 4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

This beer is served regularly.

St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale

Session Pale Ale

ABV: 4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

This beer is served regularly.

Changing

Changing beers typically include: Timothy Taylor - Landlord

Source: National

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Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
Certain events such as Six Nations
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Restaurant Restaurant
Upstairs - can be used as a function room.
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Transport
Close to bus routes (200m)
24, 29, 176
Nearby Station (350m)
London Charing Cross
Close to London Underground/Overground/DLR (200m)
Leicester Square

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