Temple Brew House, WC2R 3JF
- 020 7936 2536
- 46 Essex Street, WC2R 3JF (streetmap) (osm) (gmap) (bingmap) (streetview)
- templebrewhouse.com
- Mon-Wed: noon-11pm; Thu: noon-11:30pm; Fri-Sat: noon-midnight; Sun: noon-10:30pm
Basement bar with microbrewery, just off the Strand, in the Good Beer Guide.
It's a decent-sized space, bare-boarded underfoot and with a mix of unfinished plastering and neat stencilling on the walls (the latter showing an infographic of how beer is made). The on-site microbrewery can be seen through a window in one corner. The ceiling is low, made to seem lower by all the things hanging from it: dried hops, bunting, playing cards, porcelain jugs, and even a bicycle. Seating is a mix of low stools, mismatched chairs, half-height booths, and banquettes. Lighting is generally dim, though directed spotlighting allows people at tables to see what they're drinking.
Kake visited on a Friday afternoon in November 2018. There were eight or nine other customers when I arrived a little before 3pm. The flatscreen was showing tennis with the sound off. Music was playing, relatively interesting, slightly louder than ideal for conversation.
There were six real ales on: their own Rye Ale (£2/half), Double Dry Hopped Pale Ale, Green Hops Session IPA, and Coffee Porter; plus Adnams Ghost Ship and Flying Monk Falling Monk.
According to the Temple Brew House website as of September 2018, food is served noon-10pm Mon-Sat and noon-9pm Sun; and under-18s are not allowed.
Accessibility: Three steps from the street (no handrail), then a flight of steps with a landing in the middle and a handrail on one side. Another step to the toilets from the bar/seating area.
See also: