Sir Christopher Hatton

Pub in The City
Sir Christopher Hatton image
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7 / 10 from 1 review
Address
4 Leather Lane
The City
London
EC1N 7RA
Map
Telephone
020 7831 3241
Region
The City
Nearest Station
Chancery Lane
0.13 miles
Category
Pubs
Opening Times
Monday Open 11:00 - Closes 23:30
Tuesday Open 11:00 - Closes 23:30
Wednesday Open 11:00 - Closes 23:30
Thursday Open 11:00 - Closes 23:30
Friday Open 11:00 - Closes 23:30
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

All In London Review

An emphasis on being a traditional pub with real ales, sausages and hearty food...

Located conveniently at the top of Leather Lane near Holborn, I had previously stopped for a quick drink outside this pub one summer’s evening – there are quite a few tables and chairs available – and had decided to come back and find out a bit more about it. Whilst the overhanging office blocks may appear to be a bit of a miserable backdrop, actually it’s a great place to stop and watch the world go by.

Location wise, it is really close to Hatton Garden – so good if you want to shop for jewellery and Leather Lane has a regular street market selling new (relatively inexpensive) goods. From the point of view of guys (I took one with me yesterday to try out the lunch) there is a good set of real ales (about which there is detailed information) – including what appears to be guest ales. My companion was sad that as it was a swift workday lunch he could not sample these delights.

Anyway. It has a nice atmosphere. As you enter the main door (there is also a side entrance to the outside seats) you appear to go down into dark depths (watch those steps!). It’s traditional. Large. “A proper pub – no snootiness” said my colleague. It was suitably noisy and relatively busy (but in a good way – there was no wait at the bar) and we managed to find a table (both high and low versions are there and they are well spaced and clear of the bar area) where we could sit at the end without disturbing the other occupants. You need to have a table before you can order your food.

The décor is traditional – Morris-like flock wall paper, fabulous flagstones on the floor and not very authentic beams. Nice (small) pictures of kings and stuff on the walls. The only irritation is a couple of gambling machines whose bright electronic lights look really out of place in this comfy, traditional interior.

The bar staff were friendly and fast. My companion ordered a cheddar and real ale chutney sandwich on wholemeal bread. This was amazing value at £4.50 as it arrived with a substantial pile of chips. My companion said he was “completely satisfied” with the meal. Avoiding wheat, I opted for the goat’s cheese and red pepper risotto (£6.95) which was of a really high standard and with a generous rocket garnish. You can also have – for an additional £1.50 – some chicken thrown on top although it really didn’t need it.

It should be said though that the place takes pride in its sausages – which are from award winning butchers. There are loads of different varieties and they do sausage tasting on Wednesdays at 8pm (alongside the ale tasting).

Other items on the menu include breakfast (served til 12 noon), sharing plates, BBQ chicken, fish and chips, steak and ale pie, breaded scampi, steak, burgers – in fact, all those things you would expect to find in a pub. As well as a few surprises – smoked mackerel dauphinoise, roast duck and pork fillet. There’s also a good selection of salads and numerous sides.

With its emphasis on being a traditional pub, real ales, sausages and hearty food it’s no surprise that the predominant people in this pub were blokes. And mostly from the surrounding offices. But they appeared to be a friendly bunch.

“Famous for royal scandal and the place to buy jewels” is emblazoned on the front of the menu and the reasonable wine list (which has interesting information about the origins of wine, cider and ale – and an assortment of malt whiskies and gins). Apparently, as well as being Lord Chancellor Sir Hatton was also rumoured to be the Queen’s lover.

Reviewed by KimT
Published on Jul 30, 2009


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