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.
This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 3 regular beers.
Bear & Staff, London
Changing beers typically include: Fyne Ales - Jarl