I mean, it’s ok. I just don’t get why all the great reviews. People in here looked pretty miserable (punters and staff included), the wine was warm (seems to be a theme in London pubs at the moment), no one would move out the way as you try to walk past the bar (it’s narrow), and they kept shutting the back door which opens out to the ‘smoking area’ (a back alley), despite people being out there. If you’re not that bothered about drinking ale, there must be better places to go to while away a few hours.

This pub is a favourite of mine. And of everyone else as well – it’s always busy. Perhaps it’s so busy because of its location (close to Charing Cross station), its location (close to Trafalgar Square and major galleries), and its location (close to Theatreland). However, I like to think it’s so busy because it’s a wonderful place in its own right: the excellent real ale, the pleasant ambience and good service.

A big plus for many is the real ales. They have space for six, and most of the time all six pumps are occupied. And they are all good quality beers in good condition – somebody here knows their stuff. They seem to always have Harveys, Landlord and Black Sheep, and three guests. They are mostly £3.00 a pint (as at May 2008).

For me, another plus is the lack of piped music. Or maybe there is and I just can’t hear it – the place is constatly packed with people conversing (or saying “sorry, oops was that your foot, excuse me, cheers :-)” as people try to squeeze through).

And another great plus is the friendly multi-tasking serving staff (all female) – they often will take your order if they’re waiting a few seconds for someone else’s drink to pour, and they’re always looking out for people to serve.

The food is pleasingly simple and low-tech: they simply do five or six types of sausage which they cook at the bar, and serve in a roll with onions if you want them. Mustard and ketchup are available. I had one of these once – in my case it was very slightly burnt, but otherwise not bad. It’s just the right sort of food for this sort of place – decent tucker without the faff.

The upstairs room is a comfortable, restful place with the feel of someone’s sitting room – there are comfortable armchairs, and people instinctively lower their voices in this room. It could serve as a function room for 15-20 people, though there isn’t really a bar in there to speak of. Strangely there are usually seats free (or at least there always have been when I’ve visited), so it’s a good way to escape if downstairs becomes too rammed. There is background music, but at a very low volume, and it’s provided by a radio on the counter tuned in to some classical music station.

My only real gripe is the state of the gents’ toilets, the third-worst pub toilet of my acquaintance. Half-way up the narrow stairs so it’s difficult just to get into it, it’s extremely cramped, There is soap and water to wash your hands, but it’s awkward to access so a lot of people don’t bother. And the cubicle is in a right state – it looks like someone made a half-hearted attempt to do some tiling but then gave up.

All the good things about this place vastly outweigh any shortcomings, so I’m giving it all five stars.

Small but very popular pub, serving an outstanding range of real ales as well as food. The walls are lined with portraits (the National Portrait Gallery is nearby) and the interior fittings give it an authentic Victorian feel.

It’s quieter before the after-work crowd descends on it, and it makes for a much nicer place to stop for refreshment than any number of the horrible and characterless tourist trap cafes in the area.

Excellent pub as per everyone’s comments. I had a few excellent pints of Harveys.

I remember going in here, but i don't remember leaving. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing :)The selection of real ale here is awesome. This was one of the last legs on my weekend pub crawl so we had a bit of time to enjoy our pint. Amazingly we got a seat a 10pm on a saturday night. Friendly staff, happy crowd and i'm told the food is excellent.

I left this place a smiling, drunk man.

I feel that everything you need to know about this fantastic pub has already been said, but I thought I might as well join in the chorus of praise, because it is well deserved. Oh, and I am forever indebted to beer guru Phil for bringing me here!

I could also add that being so close to Trafalgar Square, The Harp qualifies as a stop on the Monopoly Pub Crawl. Though it wouldn't feel quite right to show up here with a big group of very drunk people (and indeed, you would want to do their out of this world selection of ales justice), so I would suggest making the Harp an early stop. It might seem a bit over the top to plan the route of the pub crawl around one pub, but actually, if you've been to the Harp you'll know that this is only right and natural.

Formerly the Welsh Harp, this is a small but very popular pub, with a long and narrow single bar, just a stone's throw from Trafalgar Square. In fact, the decor seems to be competing with the National Portrait Gallery, because the pub walls are covered with old portraits (some of them look quite valuable, but what do I know?).

The pub does well-regarded food, but the real reason for a trip here is the outstanding choice of real-ales for a central London venue - regulars include Timothy Taylor Landlord, Harvey's Best Bitter and Black Sheep, with at least two others guests, which last night included Bateman's 'England Expects', Titanic's 'White Star' and Skipton's 'Copper Dragon'. Fabulous.

There are always plenty of staff behind the bar, and service is friendly and efficient (though it can get packed, especially after work, in which case you'll have to fight your way to the bar). Customers spill out onto the pavement in the summer.

Recommended.

The Harp is as an authentic old school London drinking experience as you're going to get. I was shocked when I found out they're actually owned by Punch Taverns, don't let that put you off! The staff are lovely, two old dears (they'll hate me for saying that!) who are quietly efficient, quite the contrast from the usual useless Aussie's you get in most establishments. The beer is out of this world, they have 5-6 ales on at all times, well-kept and always something a little special to try. This was the first pub I tried the mythical Harvey's Sussex Best in (coming from The North as I do, you don't see it!), and boy was it worth wait. I practically sunk the first one in 30 seconds and went back for more. Moorhouse's incredible ales are also sometimes a fixture here, and once you've tried Pendle Witch's Brew, your life will never be the same. Why the hell am I living in Germany?! As for food, well, you can get a selection of English sausages in a roll. With onions. That's it - perfect!

It does get busy here, but get in early, and grab a seat by the window, and you'll have a evening to remember...er...forget?

Best pub in London? Maybe.