The Cross Keys

While there are no food options in this pub, what it excels in is providing a cosy, comfortable, warm and convivial place to enjoy a good ale or craft beer. There were so many staff for such a small pub, and all very friendly. I can sit in the corner and enjoy my pint in a most beautiful space.

As the look from outside was so amazing, inside was even better... full carpet, beer selection for everyone, music sooo melow you dont want to leave and if you are Beatles fan... YOU HAVE TO be here. There is "Beatles wall of fame"... toilets are bit funny, but most of pubs have funny toilets ;D. I loved it. Meantime brewery beer... amazing, and beer is cheap!!! I shall be back, if I find my way back :D:D:D.

A really lovely traditional pub. Good choice of beers and friendly bar staff. Great pics and signed memorabilia famous 60s artists and bands adorn the walls.

I came to The Cross Keys straight off the plane from Australia, extremely jet lagged but trying to stay awake until the evening to keep a good sleep routine. The pub was right next to my accommodation so I walked in blindly and oh boy am I glad I decided on The Cross Keys. I was welcomed with open arms by the staff, Conor (spelt with one “n” as he told me) and Will struck up conversation with me very quickly after they noticed my Lord of the Rings T-shirt and we bonded over our mutual love of the franchise. Immediately, I knew I found my second London home and for the remainder of my trip to the big city, this urban metropolis The Cross Keys became my haven, my safe place, a place for pints and new friends. I couldn’t recommend this place more to anyone who’s either new to London or lived here for years, it’s such a beautiful place in the heart of the city. Thanks to all the staff and the people I met at The Cross Keys.

At one time this was a great London pub. On our visit yesterday it was pretty filthy and care-worn. The bar staff were completely disinterested and there was no real ale on pump. My advice is to keep walking and don't judge our great London pubs by this shoddy example.

had an experience this evening that was handled really awfully. The pub is lovely, but one of the barmen with a scouse accent is nasty and aggressive. We came in for a drink, we had a couple of empties, I went outside to find a public bin but there was none. I came back inside and put it on the table next to us as my friend ordered some drinks. He came over and said quote “is this your shit?” In a very threatening manner. He carried this on as I explained I couldn’t find a bin and was going to take it with me when I left. I seriously doubt he would’ve said it to a group of men. But he found it acceptable to swear and be aggressive towards a group of young women? It was a horrible and unnecessary experience and we felt so uncomfortable we left before purchasing our drinks. This behaviour is completely unacceptable. He could have said “sorry, there’s a bin behind the bar” but I was upset and intimidated to be spoken to in this manner. I worked in a bar myself for a long time, I understand customers are frustrating but this was a horrible experience and I would never dream of speaking to anyone this way, customer or not.

The Cross Keys in Covent Garden is a true gem, offering a refreshing escape from the typical tourist traps of the area. It’s an unfussy, proper local boozer that feels instantly welcoming. ​What really sets this place apart is the incredible atmosphere, both inside and out. The interior buzzes with a friendly, relaxed energy, and on a good day, the outside area is the perfect spot to soak up the lively Covent Garden vibes without being overwhelmed by them. ​For a pub-goer, the beer selection is a standout feature. They have a fantastic range of options to satisfy any palate, and a special mention must go to their Guinness—it’s poured perfectly and is a testament to the care they take in their cellar management. ​Overall, if you're looking for a genuine, no-frills pub with a great atmosphere and an excellent pint, the Cross Keys is an absolute must-visit. It’s a proper pub with a great heart.

Great looking place good service. Board games available to play.

I really enjoyed this place. I came here after reading about its history and how long it's been around. Inside it's well decorated and not filled with a lot of tourists which I liked. The beers were cold and the bartenders were nice.

If you are visiting London (or even a local) and want to experience a historic bar/pub, then you have to visit Cross Keys. This place has stood the test of time and was even the location of the great beer flood of the early 1800's (basically a brewery up the hill had a horrible accident where all their beer flooded the streets). We had the pleasure of being part of a pub/bar historical tour --- otherwise, we would have never known of this place. Even though the place is a bit cozy (small), they are able to pack in folks no problem. Service was solid and beer was cold.

Such a cute local pub! Down the street from our Airbnb. I don't personally drink beer, but my husband loved his and they also had a good selection of wine. Such amazing ambiance too! It was fun to act like a "local" at this pub :)

Wow this pub had Christmas cheer vomit all over it. I am not talking dribble either, someone projectiled, tinsel, hangy, glittery things that draped from every orifice of this truly divine little tavern. This place is so cute, so warm, so full of ornamental clutter it immediately brought a smile to my face. Located smack bang in the middle of Endell Street I now understand why the after work crowd love this place so much. Being in Covent Garden you expect expensive drinks. Not in the Cross Keys. Cheap booze for everyone. They sell food too. Real pub food: chicken pie with season vegetables, chips drenched in gravy, burgers and roasts and guess what? It is dirt cheap. How does £5 grab ya? Plus, and three of us can vouch for this, the food is very good. So lets conclude: Gorgeous décor Cheap booze Great and cheap food Close to the heartbeat of Covent Garden Wow... 5* in each and every way

Disclaimer: There will be several reviews for pubs because SO loves pubs and we went on a pub tour. I like pubs that have greenery outside. To me, it's welcoming for people to pop in a have a meal and a pint. This was off the beaten path of Covent Garden and not touristy at all which was refreshing after a day of doing touristy things. They served an good selection of beer (according to my tour guide and SO). Pub was cozy inside and they are famous for their memorabilia. The walls were covered with Victorian brocade wallpaper, Beatles memorabilia and the napkin the Elvis autographed. It's a good way to entertain yourself whilst waiting for your friends to arrive or if you take a break from looking at your phone.

Stopped in here for a pint of bitters. This pub was on a map that I picked up earlier showing pubs for craft beers. The pub generally fits the image of an old English pub. Lots of Beetles memorabilia was hanging above the bar. Other older English items decorated the walls and ceiling.

Unusual selection of beer compared to many I visited. This is how a pub should look like! The right place to come an early afternoon. Inexpensive! A pint and a half (2glasses) at £5.25.

This is your classic London pub complete with brass pots and kettles, dim lighting, strange pictures hanging on the walls and good local ales. There's a beautiful seating area outside and it's right on the edge of Covent Garden so most of the tourists miss this little gem and it keeps itself for the locals. It's a really beautiful place and I would recommend a visit just to experience it and see it. My favourite thing about this place is the gorgeous shrubbery outside and architecture. This is somewhere I would take my dad!

I imagine that an American tourist might describe this pub as 'quaint.' It is quintessentially English with enough flowers outside to make it look like a country pub and enough Beatles memorabilia inside to make it look like Liverpool. There are also a random assortment of cooking pots and fire pokers attached to the ceiling, making it possible to imagine a Dickensian Granny shuffling around here with soot on her face and a jug of ale sometime in the distant past. I do like it, but seeing that it's behind Covent Garden, I also get the distinct feeling that all of the frou frou is for someone elses benefit, an American tourist for example. I've had some good times in this pub, it's not my favourite in London but it's pretty with character and friendly staff. It does get very crowded here at the weekends, but during summer it's a good people watching destination and close to lots of other pubs if you do get bored.

The outside looks covered in greenery and the inside is covered with framed pictures, brass kettles and the like. There is so much to take in when you walk into this pub. In fact it is worth walking in even if you don't stay for a pint just to check it out. You will find a small, really quaint looking old fashioned traditional pub. It is hard to find a seat in here, it has always been busy when ever I have taken people in here. The choice of ales is good, I chose Brodie's which the barmaid recommended. I thoroughly enjoy my visits here whenever in this part of town. You can get good quality beers and ales and excellent pub atmosphere. If you ever have friends from abroad who wish to see a traditional looking pub, take them here! Five stars for the true pub spirit.

Nice pub. Great atmosphere; friendly bar staff. Can get loud and packed but that helps set the tone.

I think Eamon described it pretty well. To me, this is not a winter pub. It should be but the times I've been in here during winter, it was way too hot and stuffy. With that said, summer is great as you can take your drink outside and watch the tourists walk by. And if they're not watching too closely, take your drink and sit on the curb. The bar staff in here are friendly and to be honest, I don't mind that the TV isn't big (I'm not a fan of TVs in pubs - fine for the bigger chains but not for the smaller pubs). Would give it a 4 stars but it's lacking that little something. However, if you're in Covent Garden and just looking for a nice little boozer and want to avoid the chains, you can't go wrong with The Cross Keys.

I've hit 90% of the pubs in London. No joke. This pub is another one that's a must-hit in the Covent Garden area. It gets way packed after work, but...with good-looking, well-dressed people, like me. The cask ales are refreshing and aplenty. The decor is hella busy. It combines traditional pub decor with floral arrangements. The inside of the pub gets pretty loud between 5 and 8pm, and you probably will be standing the entire time. I prefer to stand and drink my pints outside and talk shit with mah mates. You should try and be International, like me, fahfukssake.

Be cautious walking down Endell Street this time of year - you might trip as I did, and fall into the depths of a boozy North Pole alternate dimension. ...and you might love it. We all know Santa's secretly a boozer... how else would he stay warm all night on that sleigh? Cross Keys confirms it, as this is definitely his proper British booze cave of secret sippy cheer where the elves and reindeer can get Christmas crackered at the toddy tavern before the long trek. Alternatively, you can come and do the same. On a Monday afternoon at 1:15pm. Might I suggest going crazy and spending £5 on a turkey dinner with all the fixins'? You'll be very full and festive, and you'll leave the pub ready to deliver Christmas cheer throughout Covent Garden.

I wish this pub weren't in such a fantastic location. I also wish that it were perhaps just a SMIDGEN less attractive so that every single person that works in the Covent Garden area wouldn't come here after work and make this place so freaking crowded. There are few places I will go to, knowing that they'll be jam-packed with, well, everyone in the West End, and the Cross Keys is one of them. The have a plethora of ales (glorious ales!) and their spirits aren't all that expensive, either. The outside of the Cross Keys is decorated with gorgeous plants and flowers, which gives it the illusion that the Cross Keys is actually a gateway to a secret garden. Which, it kind of is. Minus the secret part. I feel like Covent Garden is lacking in quality pubs that don't just serve Carling and Guinness, so if you're looking for a place with fantastic ale and a lively atmosphere, the Cross Keys is it. Just don't expect to find somewhere to sit down. Or to have a very quiet, intimate conversation. This is the place you go to with five or so workmates to stand outside with a pint and gossip. I mean "discuss work".

I could give or take the flowery front, but the inside of the narrow pub is nice. The first thing I noticed was the smell, authentic pub, not in a bad way, but a mixture of oiled wood, leather and bitter beer. I've only been in here twice, once in the evening and once late in the afternoon. Both times the air's been testosterone - laden. I was one of two or three women. The bartender is laid back and charming and a nice selection of ales is on offer. I didn't try the food, so can't comment on that.

When in doubt, if it comes to decor, less is always more... well apparently not at Cross Keys. Along with brocade style wallpaper, every inch of space is cover with a gilt-gold covered frame surrounding a terrifying animal or unimportant historical figure, or both in a sort of hunting tableaux. It's what I'd call good in a bad way if you get what I mean. Covent Garden is a pricey area and it seems like this part of Endell street is a pocket of joy for the smaller budgets. A daily changing menu for basic British pub grub, pie, chips, ham, chips, bap, chips... well you get the gist. So yeah, a nice little watering hole, popular with the local workers as an after office tipple spot.

i like this place, we found it by chance because we were going for an Indian meal just up the road from here. It gets extremely busy, and don't expect to get a seat, they are usually all taken, at least when i have been in they have. There are plenty of things to look at in here, including a very large mirror on the back wall that makes it look twice as long as it actually is. The toilets could do with a bit of refurbishment. Love all the pictures on the wall, you can have a lot of fun trying to name them all.

A decent bar in Covent Garden. As far as real ales, this place specializes in Brodies. When I stopped in, only three of their five Brodies pumps were active. The one I tried, though (Sunshine), was excellent. The walls of this place are bursting with bric a brac: newspaper clippings, beer ephemera, portraits, all kinds of stuff. The first floor is pretty small (cozy?) and it was really, really warm when I stopped in. (I could see the Cross Keys getting really stuffy and claustrophobic.) The lighting was a bit too dim for me and had a reddish tint to it. For an afternoon visit this pub would be great. At night, I think it could get very crowded. Definitely check it out at some point.

Today's review is based on a visit to the ladies' only having been caught sneeking up the stairs we felled compelled to stop for a drink (even though the last hour of valuable shopping time had rung in); we were ignored at the bar, so left. It wasn't very busy! My friends were relieved as it was rather smelly; I was disappointed because this used to be such a lovely and friendly pub.

Lovely Olde attractive pub with loads of stuff hanging up about the place adding to the places charm (how does that work exactly?). Nice dim lighting. The outside is covered with foliage. Belongs to Brodies and while I've forgotten which of their beers I sampled I know it was a new one for me and was seriously tasty.

A charming pub on Endell Street, the riot of green shrubbery and flowers is a welcome sight in the dead of winter. Its not the best pub to have a drink, but its good to take visitors and tourists, as everyone would enjoy the memorabilia its stocked with inside. Its near Covent Garden as well, so if one of the larger pubs get really busy, this is a charming place to have a drink. It looks like one of those places that belong to a totally different time and place, and the anachronism is fun to walk into. I imagine a film like Harry Potter might use this pub as an entry into another world.

Although one of my favourite pubs in London, it still doesn't get 5 stars. I think 5 stars should be reserved for places that offer near-perfect, perhaps even unique? experiences. Therefore if I were to award 5 stars to a pub then it would certainly go to one of those country pubs.. you know.. in the country overlooking fields wood fire about 10 ales on tap and no carling in sight a simple menu featuring just a few traditional dishes such as jellied eel or game pie scampi fries stuff like that. Anyway for a city pub then the cross keys ticks all the boxes - nice cosy interior, low ceiling, a good selection of lovely ales. No TV. The outside is beautiful, with lots of hanging baskets, but it's a shame there isn't enough room for a few tables out there would be so nice in the summer.. but i've always been quite content with drinking whilst standing on pavements anyway. Slightly lower-than-average prices too if I recall. Simply a very nice pub.

If you want a traditional, relaxed, cosy pub, this is the place. It's very informal, but has such style and character that you feel like you're some place special. The decor is a wild collection of music memoribilia, and I am sure this is exactly what tourists think an English pub should be like. The beer and food is pretty standard, but the service is good, and the overall ambiance is worth staying for.

A traditional old boozer just off the main shopping drags of Longacre and the Covent Garden Piazza. It's quite small inside so in summer, people stand outside; in winter, it's a cosy but often crowded haven. Youngish bar staff and usually older customers who range from tourists to locals. The description is wrong - there's nothing remotely 'pop' about this place.

The Cross Keys is indeed a traditional London pub, so much so that should one be drinking at this establishment on a saturday a cigarette break will usually involve the gauntlet of tourists taking photographs outside. The Cross Keys is located near Covent Garden and thus can be a little busy. Of particular interest are the tiny Japanese tourists often found ordering pints of ale and posing for pictures with the enormous glasses in which the beer is served. The Cross keys is one of few pubs in the modern age that will still serve your beer in a jug should you ask. The interior of the pub is very traditional, with a bar stretching along the right hand side and a row of chairs and tables along the left. The walls and in fact any spot of space is taken up by music memorabilia and cricketing pictures and a small selection of old theatre programmes and posters. It's a strange mix, but considering the pub's age and it's location perhaps it all makes some form of sense to someone. The staff are pretty good, fast and friendly. The Cross Keys has Sussex ale on the pumps, a first class pint and served in a jug there can be few better experiences than delightful company, beer in a jug, a dark atmospheric old pub, it's like a little step back in time, if only the phones wouldn't go off. The Cross Keys is a picturesque pub outside and almost perfect inside. Small and cosy and rarely busy enough to upset.

Coming from Toronto, where we have a plethora of ersatz English Pubs that all Popped up in the 1970's, it is a joyous experience to have a few pints in such a typical, authentic , friendly pub. We travel to London every Summer and "The Crossed Keys" has become my "local". Close to our Hotel in Russell Square, on route to Covent Garden, it is "must" for a stop in and a good pint. Chris, the bartender is very helpful with local directions when we sometimes need help in finding our way around. I will be back again, and again and again. Well done !

Quaint little old-school pub based in Covent Garden. Enough eclectic memorabilia on the walls to choke the average elephant, decent selection of beers on tap...fast service. Can get a bit squish during peak hour on a Friday night. Drink prices are about average for Covent Garden.

This is an excellent pub! It's a little dark and red and looks like you would imagine a Victorian bordello opium den would be like. They sell Brodie's beer which is very London and very pleasant, the staff are good and it's not touristy at all.

Limited tap selection with a focus on Brodie's real ales. They were super fresh and poured correctly. Cozy, small, dark interior. I stopped by in the afternoon on a weekday and it has a pretty lively lunch crowd. You can take your pints outside, which is very foreign to me as an American. Overall, pretty solid but not exceptional.

Great pub off a quiet street in covent garden The Brodie's was cold and tasty. The red IPA got my vote for the best beer. Must visit if in the area.

This is a very large Wetherspoons right in the middle of the city so it is always full with young city types. I regularly meet my friends for lunch here as the food is always served quickly and nice and hot and it is excellent value for money. At lunch time it can get quite busy so if you are on a tight time limit then get there for 12 to just beat the rush. There are plenty of seats to choose from. One thing I will say is that it is quite dark in there as there is a lot of dark wood furnishings which could be changed to make for a more modern atmosphere. The menu is fairly generic and I wouldn't recommend for a nice meal out in the evening but they do offer an excellent curry night deal which is brilliant value for money with a good sized portion.

Phenomenally good value for a central London pub. Drinkers as eclectic as the decor and beer selection. Old style, friendly pub with a buzzing atmosphere. Will visit again, I'm sure!

Great decor. Breakfast was cold and the slowest service possible. Items missing. The coffee was good. A waste of time and money.

Nice pub. Absolutely covered in nik-naks. Frustratingly many of the pictures on the walls are a bit skew-wiff but I guess that adds to the charm. Kinda glad it hasn't had a modern-makeover like the White Hart nearby. I'd given up on my search for a half-pint of Hobgoblin by now so was drinking rum n coke but the choice of real ales looked good.