The Bear and Staff, London

Posted on 06. Nov, 2011 by Robert Gale in Pubs

The Bear and Staff, London

The Bear and Staff is a late Victorian corner pub located on the corner of Bear Street and Charing Cross Road in central London.

Brief History

According to the pub’s website, the Bear and Staff has stood on the same site since 1714 and its name comes from the crest of the Neville family. The present building dates from 1878 and according to the book, Real Ale in London WC1 and WC2, it incorporates an old tobacconist’s shop. The pub was modernised 30-40 years ago and was refurbished in November 2011.

The Interior

Inside is a standard traditional looking pub with the downstairs consisting of the main bar, around a dozen or so high tables and stools and a raised area in the corner with more comfortable seating.

A staircase to the right of the bar leads upstairs to the Chaplin Bar and Restaurant. Named and decorated after the actor Charlie Chaplin, it is claimed that he used to drink in the pub whilst performing at the nearby Empire Theatre.

The Beer

Up to 6 ales are usually available at any one time. The usual from Nicholson’s with London Pride, Tribute and Doom Bar being the regulars. I visited on Halloween and there were three spooky beers from York and Cairngorm.

More Photos of the Bear and Staff

Venue Location

The Bear and Staff

10-12 Bear Street

London

WC2H 7AX

Tel: 020 7321 0814

twb.im/bearandstaff

View on Google Street View

Robert Gale (Twitter: @awv)

Beer Taster, Pub Attendee, Photo Taker

Robert Gale likes beer, pubs and beer festivals. He also likes to take photos of beer, pubs and beer festivals. Most weekends of the year you can find him travelling around the UK (and sometimes beyond) photographing and reviewing good quality pubs and beer festivals. He also has a day job in the form of a web developer for Ozum.