The Cockpit

My wife and I always make sure to make The Cockpit one of our stops when we visit. It's a beautiful, classic pub tucked away south of St Paul's Cathedral. The pub has been here since 1865 and originally served as a fighting ring for rooster. The decor reflects its past history and the interior is ringed with a gallery from which to watch the matches. The only food you'll find is a bag of crisps, but the beer is always good and the staff is courteous and professional. It gets quite busy and despite its location in central London, retains its character as a friendly local and visitors will have a great experience.

Loved this bar. Women's bathroom is a single, and up a flight of stairs. When the weather is nice, it's crowded outside and pretty empty inside which is great. Historic pub where crowds would watch cockfights from the upper balconies (used to be 4 sides to view from, now just 2) The losers would have to clean the carcasses while the crowds threw things at them or even urinated on them.

Really cool small pub, off the Main Street near Saint Paul’s. Decent prices considering it’s central London. If you’re in the area, worth a visit for sure.

Fabulous pub in a great location. Everyone here is super friendly and helpful. Really dog friendly, too. Lovely character features and a great drink selection 👌

We visited this lovely place by booking a tour on Viator call Small group for historic pub in London! This was the very first pub we visited and we loved and enjoyed very much! Seating in this pub is like we are back in times for at least 100 years! The staff are super friendly and welcoming. Beer is great and cold! If not because we have few more bars/pubs to visit, we can stay here whole night!

Went here as part of a tour. Great atmosphere and had a traditional ale. Highly recommend stopping by for a pint.

Very good pub a couple of minutes walk from Blackfriars Station. Four cask beers on handpump when I visited. Lots of standing room outside in the quiet pedestrian alley. Very friendly and helpful chap running the bar. The pub, which is Grade-II listed, was built in around 1865 and its shape recreates that of a cockpit and fighting cock prints adorn the walls.

Lovely traditional pub in the alleys that are close to St Paul’s - and far better than many a local boozer. I can’t comment on food as we don’t eat - but the Guinness was on point.

Really cool pub with lots of history. Bar staff was very friendly and explained lots about the pub.

I love secret draaankin spots in far-away cities. How about a low key pub with historic value? You betcha. Locals chillin, lots of cask ales, and deelish pub fare. And cockfighting. Back in the day. Here. Right in here. I'll be back. Soon. Cheers, mate.

Excellent service and a wonderful atmosphere. For the tourist near St. Paul's Cathedral, it is your quintessential British pub. Sandwiches are reasonably priced and quite good, the chips were also tasty. Like most pubs in Greater London, there is a selection of 4 cask ales. Adnams, Tribute, and Timothy Taylor's are available.

Not typical touristic, a lot of nativ people. Very nice atmosphere. One pale ale pint for 4.70£. Guinness for 5£.

We came from seattle Washington looking for a fun pub!! Lucky we found the cockpit! Very laid back atmosphere The bartender gave us a great lesson on beers. Great place to go if you just want a laid back good time

The Cockpit is located not far from Blackfriars railway station, but is somewhat hidden away and easily missed. The pub acquired it's name because cock fighting used to take place at this location! It is a small traditional locals' local, but has a cosy friendly ambience. I don't think many tourists frequent The Cockpit as it is off the tourist trail. Real ale is available.

I was chastised for trying to solicit a PG-rated kiss whilst sitting in the Cockpit sipping on a Gordon's G&T. 'There's no "being girlie" in the Cockpit.' Okay... There's also no drinking of good drinks in the Cockpit. Fosters, Strongbow, Stella, these are the kinds of things you'll find on tap. High street liquor, that's what you'll find behind the bar. I wasn't even going to risk trying the house wine. Sure, the history and atmosphere are cool. But I'd rather have good wine and girlie-ness.

Lovely looking pub down an alley serving a decent if predictable selection of beers (Marston Pedigree was the least seen in London). Established 1787, a former home for the cruel entertainment of cock fighting (see the viewing gallery above). Late in the week after work, despite the tricky to find location, the place is a bit too cramped for comfort (especially in the narrow bar area/route to the gents!), but I reckon it could be quite nice at other times (one of the few pubs in the area to open at weekends). Big projector screen for the sport.

This is a local pub. Kind of dingy, friendly, old fashioned, and just old/Tudor-looking... My choir comes here after rehearsals and there are always a few other groups of people, mostly those who work in the area, lingering when we arrive around 10pm. The inner space of the place has multiple levels and a somewhat strange layout, giving it is smallish yet intimate feel. I can see why those who frequent here like it: it is hidden, personal, and has a real olde English pub feel.

Nice pub. Good choice of beer (I found my favorite American beer in bottle!!!), honest prices, smiling service.

I had reason to celebrate recently and chose the Cockpit - much to the delight of my guests. The all male crowd approved of the old man pub feeling and its slightly secluded location met with approval as we all had a table with a good view of the big screen. Perfect for watching the conclusion of the Six Nations. Service is very friendly, decor is unpretentious and it's quite simply one of the nicest pubs you choose for a few drinks in this part of town. Luckily there are other pubs closer to the train station that serve to deflect the more poseurish crowd. Hallelujah for that!

The Cockpit is traditional pub near Blackfriars tube and rail station. It's slightly hidden away and this is a good thing. I discovered it myself having met friends a few times at the rather dreadful Kos Bar (and its previous incarnation) which is visible from the station. The Cockpit's elaborate exterior is a treat in itself and once you get inside it's warm and friendly. It's slightly run-down looking inside but I think this adds to its charm. This is one of the few places I've come across in London where people talk to strangers. The staff is also welcoming and efficient - they never fail to notice when a small woman is next and they'll most likely remember what you and your friends are drinking which makes getting rounds in that much easier. The Cockpit is a great place to meet a few friends. It virtually clears out my mid- evening so if it's busy it's worth waiting a bit if it's crowded. The close proximity of transport options is a bonus. The quiz machine has regular users. If they are there, they'll help you with the games, especially WordUp!

First pub feed for my first time in London and wasn't disappointed! The staff were lovely, first to greet you as soon as you walk in and actually acknowledge you which was very welcoming! I had a steak & ale pie, yummo! Good pricing and was a cute little pub! I would return again!

Since everyone is out at the Yelpesque event having fun and I'm sitting at home bleeding after a particularly brutal visit to the dentist, I figured I might as well write a god damn review for a change. So, most of you wont like the cockpit. It is a dive bar, it is shaped like an isosceles triangle and it serves beer. I like the isosceles triangle, but try to look past my geometric bias on this one. It is not a gay bar. It should be though. The cockpit is a pretty awesome name for a gay bar. Not an indie dive bar either. Sorry, should have said that. I blame the meds. It is an old-time dive bar. Some would say dump, but that would be harsh. It smells of stale beer and has a dog. The dog looks like the owner, which is a trademark of a proper pub and fabulous. My rat just peed on me... So anyway, the cockpit used to actually be a cock pit. Like, cockfighting. Crazy man-chickens kicking the shit out of each other. Pretty awesome, yes? No? I'm undecided myself. Even better, it hasn't been decorated since. Win. I'm not sure why I like it. It is unassuming, non-pretentious. It has test match special on the radio all day. It isn't full of douche-bags. Young douche-bags, that is. You get a few city types I suppose. They can channel douche-baggery now and again. Just with money and cuff-links. Isn't it weird how douche-bag is having a renaissance in the last year or so? I think it is. FIrefox is uncertain on how to spell it and I must confess that I am too. I went for the hyphen as I was feeling nostalgic. I think it was a good choice. I hate young douchebags with their shoes and lack of baby-rats running on them as they type. I like Nurofen with codeine. There are old men who sit in the same place all the time. It is a bit like a white version of Desmond's. Remember that? I loved Desmond's. Is that racist? I mean, they are definitely white. The only white guy in Desmond's ended up being on Star Trek Enterprise. That was weird. The movie Barbershop was based on Desmond's. True Story. That isn't a true story. I made it up because it seemed feasible. What? Oh, 4 stars. Obviously. Isosceles. There was also a white woman on Desmond's. I forgot about her.

My friends and I had a fantastic time here. It was very pleasant and the owner was very nice during our visit. Highly recommend for a relaxing drink.

Small friendly pub still dominated by locals. Landlord/manager is really friendly in a natural way, you don't find so often nowadays. Attractive interior with unusual gallery. I found the big screen rather disturbing but if others like it, it's good for them. Choice average, including real ales. Close to St. Paul's.

Very pleasant little boozer that's extremely convenient for transport links. Friendly staff and good selection of beer - plus it's one of those classic little Victorian pubs that used to exist on every street corner in the capital and that are now sadly rather fewer in number. Haven't eaten here but I would bet that the food would be decent.

Having chanced upon the cockpit on st georges day ,we had a really nice couple of hours .The landlord is a real character and the locals warm and friendly. There was a free BBQ in the alley which was funny when the table caught light. We could have spent all evening there ,the girls in our group were given champagne before we resumed sightseeing,will certainly return.

I fell upon The Cockpit, by accident, yesterday. A woman, walking into an unknown pub is an easy target for poor treatment and a discomfitting welcome. None of this awaited me within The Cockpit. The landlord was "real" and sincerely welcoming without being gushing and obsequious. The cider was perfect and the interior utterly uncontrived. I am sick and tired of fly by night themed bars. I am sick and tired of faceless staff with "faceless service". This was a proper pub, holding real people with 3D character. I am sooo glad that the decoration is, apparently , authentic and the layout of the pub without any of that modern tat stuck down with araldite. A real pub awaits you in the back lanes near to St. Paul's. It's historically awesome, too. GO THERE OR LIVE YOUR LIFE THE POORER.

This place is incredible. I was just in this neighborhood for one night, but it was obvious how close the bar was tied into the local community. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. When I got there, their kitchen was closed, but they immediately directed me to the next pub over that was likely to have food. The staff are also incredibly knowledgeable about their wares, as you might expect from professionals. They're happy to share their knowledge too. When you go to the Cockpit, you feel like you have a Londoner looking out for you. For sure recommended if you're in the area.

A great genuine local. Friendly staff and customers. It's small and it's genuine.We had the fish and chips and curry. Also had some hard cider from Suffolk all were well prepared. Prices were reasonable. Also open on Sunday which is a real plus in this area. They also offer free light fate on Sunday

This is a gem, buried in the labyrinth between St. Paul's Cathedral and the Thames by Blackfriars - but what a gem it is. I've been there twice today, gulping a few pints of Tim Taylor's bitter, pale and bubbly stuff and having a real laugh with the regular fellas as one of the sweetest lady bartenders in zone-one London makes the locals and not-so-locals (like your humble reviewer here) feel right at home. This is a place to stand by the bar - there is seating though not much, to be fair - and buy your neighbor a pint (or in my case, have one bought for me, to my surprise) and take in the richness of one of the finest cities on the planet. It's a subtle thing, a small place with a decent but modest selection (only one stout on tap, alas) but you will know right away, in the way that you know a place could be like another home, that this place is special and worth your visit if you want to experience London in a way that is genuine but still within the heart of (and yet unscathed) in what has become such a modern commercial zone. Go in, be friendly and it will be returned in kind; buy a drink and maybe have one bought for you.