The best bistros and brasseries London

Timetable

Bars and pubs close quite early, between 11pm and midnight. Not all bars and pubs have a licence to serve alcohol later. Some have this late license and can close around 2am. They are generally open from lunchtime. They are busiest after work, around 5pm and all day on Sundays. Happy hour is not very common in London. You can enjoy an afternoon tea, which includes a tray of pastries and a cup of tea.

Budget & Tips

On average, a pint costs between £6 and £8 in London pubs, depending on the area. All small pubs accept credit cards. You don't pay tips in bars.

Age restrictions

The purchase and consumption of alcohol is permitted from the age of 18. You will always be asked for your ID card, until you are 25, in supermarkets to buy alcohol or to enter certain bars, especially at weekends. Whatever your age, always take it with you when you go out, just in case.

What's very local

Every evening after their day's work, the English meet up with friends in pubs to have a few pints. Around 5pm, they are usually packed, with a variety of people crowding around the bar and especially on the pavement. Especially on Friday evenings, to celebrate the end of the week with colleagues. As the legislation around alcohol is different, the bars usually close earlier. Afterwards, we go to clubs

In pubs, there is almost never a menu for draught beers. They are often at a common price, around £5, no matter the pub and the area.

Sunday lunch is spent in the local pubs eating sunday roast. The afternoon is then spent in the pub with friends or family playing board games or drinking beer after beer. Many pubs organise Pub Quizzes, typical and fun quiz nights where you can win drinks and bottles.

In pubs you can order directly from the bar, even for food. There is no point in waiting in vain for a waiter.

Kids

Children are not always welcome in pubs, especially in the evening. Signs at the entrance will tell you the establishment’s tolerance for younger children.