George & Vulture, London

A revered Grade II listed 18th century chop house in the heart of the city retaining many 18th and 19th century features. 

For many years this establishment fell outside CAMRA’s definition of a pub: it sold no draught beer and customers were required to have a meal. Now it’s back on the map, serving Samuel Smith’s keg beers, with non-diners permitted so long as seating is available.

Built in the early 18th century, the George and Vulture occupies one of those deliciously hidden locations in the City’s alleyways, and its unassuming entrance is very easy to overlook. The frontages on the east and north sides date from the 19th century. Inside is a glorious mixture of 18th and 19th century fittings. 

At the south east entrance, etched glass in a set of double doors bears the inscription “Thomas’s Chop House”. Inside these is a small foyer area with an old wooden counter, probably 19th century, and presumably where diners would once have left their hats and coats. More doors lead into the main ground floor room which contains a small servery enclosed in wood and glass. It gives every impression that it once may have been a publican’s office. On one wall is an ancient and dramatic fireplace – possibly 18th century - with a decorative tiled surround.

Beside a window on the 19th century stairs to the first floor is an old bell-push, but its exact purpose must remain a mystery for now. Stairs to the second and third floors are survivors from the 18th century and lead to three comfortable rooms all with decor and furniture - such as settles forming cosy booths - sympathetically chosen by the brewery to reflect the pub’s considerable age. One booth, with a curving settle around it, is especially characterful. The two “Dickens Rooms” occupy the top floor, so called because the writer actually lived here for some time, and mentioned the pub many times in his 1837 novel The Pickwick Papers.

At some time in the past, the pub expanded into a small shop next door which now forms a cosy snug room reached through an arched doorway that has been inserted. This section still has an original 19th century shop-front.