Rugby Tavern
19 Great James StreetLondon
WC1N 3ES













See more about this pub on CAMRA's national web site
On a visit in March 2025 the three beers listed were available along with Draught Bass - a very rare find in London. Based on the qulity of the Landlord and Bass we did wonder if the pub had sufficient turnover to support 4 cask beers - time will tell.
In August 2023 it reopened after a period of closure. On the first floor find the ‘Bistro Bleu’ restaurant. In the bar there is a range of bar snacks." The food times given are for "Bar Food". The Bistro Blue opens Mon - Fri 12:00-15:00 / 17:00-21:30, Saturday: 12:00-21:30, Sunday 12:00-19:00.
This was the the first London project for the operator but due to work necessary on the pub it opened after their second venture - the former Knights Templar now the Last Judgment. Berkeley Inns are a Derbyshire gastropub operator and the Rugby Tavern will form part of a new London division. The pub group was established in November 2014, and now also operates the Horseshoes in Long Lane Village, Derbyshire; The Cow in Dalbury Lees; and the Bluebell Inn in Kirk Langley.
Formerly a Nicholson's, then a Fuller's house, then Shepherd Neame. It is so named because it was built around 1850 on land donated by the founder of Rugby School (they still own the freehold). There is a large seating (and smoking) area available outside, which, being in a car free zone, is extremely pleasant during the summer months.