Museum Tavern

49 Great Russell Street
Bloomsbury
London
WC1B 3BA

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Opening Times

11-11.30 Mon-Thu; 11-Midnight Fri & Sat; 12-10.30 Sun

Meal Times

11-11 Mon-Sat; 12-10 Sun

Owner

Greene King

About the Pub

A magnificent Victorian pub opposite the British Museum, a CAMRA Heritage Pub. Originally the Dog and Duck stood on this site, signifying local duck hunting. John Creed became landlord in 1762 and initiated the name British Museum Tavern, to identify the pub with the nearby collection, which was being developed from specimens collected by Sir Hans Sloane. William Finch Hill designed the 1855 redevelopment with the ground floor front and classic mahogany back bar fitting being evident today. 1889 saw another redesign of the interior by architects Wylson and Long. Finch's classical style was partly preserved as five separate bars were created, with partitions and decorations of stained glass. Two rare examples of these stained glass windows survive in the bar today, an essential part of any visit. Five bars were reduced to three in 1935 becoming one in the 1960s. The five sets of entrance doors are all that remains of this arrangement today. Traditional pub food is served. A rare regular outlet for Old Peculier.

Historic Interest

Grade II listing:- Public house. c1855-64. By William Finch Hill and EL Paraire. Stucco with wooden public house ground floor. Modified French Renaissance style. 4 storeys. 1 window with 1-window splayed corner and symmetrical 5-window return to Museum Street. Public house front with Corinthian pilasters and colonnettes carrying entablature with dentil cornice. Round-arched, recessed openings with panelled dados. Entrance on splayed corner with fanlight and double part-glazed doors. Main entrance on Museum Street with pediment, rectangular fanlight and double part-glazed doors. 1st to 3rd floors with rusticated corner and pilaster strips at angles capped by small segmental pediments. 2-pane sash windows. 1st floor round-arched, architraved, recessed sashes, above which architraved oculi with decorative grills and enriched with swags. 2nd floor segmental-arched architraved sashes. Console bracketed cornice beneath 3rd floor recessed sashes. Coved cornice and blocking course. INTERIOR: retains some original fittings including Classically styled wood back fitting to bar (glass later).

Regular Beers

This pub serves 3 regular beers.

Greene King IPA
Greene King London Glory
Theakston Old Peculier

Changing Beers

This pub serves 3 changing beers.

Changing beers typically include:

Truman's - varies
Twickenham - varies

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Features

Real Ale Available
Real Cider Available
2 Usually Westons or Thatchers.
Member Discount Scheme
10% off real ales.
Cask Marque Accredited
Heritage Pub
Regionally Important Historic Interior

Facilities

Disabled Access
To pub only.
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Pub Garden
Pavement seating.
Family Friendly
Wifi

View on Larger Map

Museum Tavern

49 Great Russell Street
Bloomsbury
London
WC1B 3BA

Sat Nav Reference

51.518122, -0.125923

Transport

Close to Bus Routes
Close to Railway Station
Close to Underground/DLR

Nearby Bus Routes (100m)

7, 98

Nearby Station (1150m)

London Charing Cross

Nearby London Underground/DLR (400m)

Tottenham Court Road

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