Tracey A.
Yelp
The George is an ideal place from which to celebrate the changing of the years.
The rule of thumb for London's NYE fireworks viewing is "if you can see the London Eye, you can see the fireworks". You can't see the Eye from the Strand, (on which The George is located), but a great viewing location along the Thames is just one street over. On NYE, foot traffic is routed in a way that requires you to take an inefficient U-shaped journey to get there, but even with the crowds that should take no longer than 15 minutes. Head there early though, as access to the viewing areas is blocked off when it reaches capacity and that'll likely be well before midnight. I'd recommend you get there at 10:30.
Here's what else I recommend:
* Pre-10:30, begin your evening at The George. The place doesn't just look attractive from the outside. Inside it's all warm wood, leather seating, and even a fireplace. They serve up delicious looking traditional English food from their "carvery" (think roast beef, Yorkshire Pudding, bangers & mash). I didn't partake but what I saw and smelled made me wish I had.
* Accompany your dinner with their ever-changing assortment of Cask Marque accredited "real ales" on hand pump. They champion British pale ales, classic bitters, porters, stouts, and a changing array of ales from UK breweries. A "coming attractions" sign lets you make your future plans, in ales.
* Like most English pubs, they do cocktails quite poorly but if you like the brown liquor (whiskey, scotch) they do that quite well. They stopped short of having me mix my own vodka cocktail (as happened in another establishment) but clearly vodka and tequila drinks are not their thing. Very little ice, very light pours, and no flair. The rest of my party had zero complaints about the brews.
* On NYE, they charge a completely reasonable £5 per person entrance fee beginning sometime before midnight. Pay it and get your hand stamped. Once the fireworks are over you'll have a great place to return to for celebrating. Beats standing in a massive wall of humanity awaiting an empty Underground car. Party here until, oh, around 4 a.m. They're still serving.
* Aside from my recommendation that you make The George your home base on NYE the other 364 days would merit a visit as well. Though I'd not call it a sports bar/pub they do have 4 large HD screens broadcasting professional sporting events. It's also a lot more upscale (read: pretty and warm feeling) than your average neighborhood pub.
If you decide to test run The George be mindful of getting to the right spot. In a burst of unoriginality, London appears to have a large and growing number of places with the same moniker.