Magpie EC2

London’s Best Beer, Pubs and Bars updates
Central London – City

Magpie, London EC2

Traditional pub
12 New Street EC2M 4TP
T (020) 7929 3889 W www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/themagpiebishopsgatelondon 
Open 1000-2330 Mon-Fri, closed Sat-Sun.
Cask beer 10 (Fuller’s, Sharp’s, St Austell, Nicholson’s guests) Cask Marque, Other beer 1 keg (Staropramen), 2 bottles
Food Nicholson’s pies and pub grub menu
Functions

The day after I finally drew the line under the ever-expanding list of potential entries for the guide, Mitchells and Butlers emailed me with a long list of additional pubs for consideration, drawing particular attention to those that made a special effort with their beer range. The latter category included this pub and having visited it I realised I’d done my readers a disservice by missing it, particularly given its useful location.

Regulars on cask are London Pride, Doom Bar and Tribute but manager Paul McCallion ensures the rest of his extensive row of handpumps makes best use of Nicholson’s seasonal guest beer range and is unafraid of stocking stronger, darker and more unusual options. Cropton (including one of their US-inspired beers), Leeds, Rudgate (a welcome mild), St Peters, Titanic and White Horse were among the offerings when I called. Budvar and Meantime Chocolate are in bottle.

Food is the usual hearty Nicholson’s fare – fish and chips, pies, steaks, salads, salmon en croûte – and can be enjoyed in the bar or the small but elegant dining room upstairs. Unsurprisingly given its location it’s very much a city boy pub – I seemed to be the only customer not in a suit – but it’s otherwise a welcoming place in an attractive pedestrianised alleyway right opposite Liverpool Street station.

National Rail, Underground Liverpool Street Cycling CS1, LCN+ 0, 39, links to Islington