You’re walking past the Tower of London, your legs are killing you, and you see a sign for the Hung Drawn and Quartered pub. It’s a bit on the nose, isn't it? Most people assume it’s just another tourist trap playing off the grizzly history of the scaffold across the street. But they’re wrong.
Actually, it's one of the most reliable Fuller’s outposts in the City.
The name is a direct nod to the execution site on Tower Hill. This wasn't just some creative marketing gimmick from the 90s; it’s a tribute to the sheer, bloody-minded history of the square mile. You’ve got the Tower of London looming just a stone's throw away, a place where high-profile "traitors" met ends so messy they’d make a modern horror director blush. The pub sits on Great Tower Street, a stretch of road that has seen more history than most entire countries. Honestly, the vibe inside is way less "medieval torture" and way more "polished Victorian mahogany."
The Real Story Behind the Hung Drawn and Quartered Pub
If you’re looking for a dark dungeon, you’ll be disappointed. The Hung Drawn and Quartered pub is actually quite handsome. Think high ceilings, massive windows that let in the grey London light, and those signature etched glass partitions that Fuller’s does so well. It’s a managed house, which means it has a certain level of corporate polish, but it doesn't feel soulless.
Why the name?
Historically, being hung, drawn, and quartered was the "ultimate" punishment for high treason. The victim was dragged to the gallows, hanged by the neck (but not until dead), disemboweled while conscious, and then literally chopped into four pieces. These pieces were often sent to different corners of the kingdom as a "don't do this" warning to others. It’s grim. It’s visceral. And it happened right outside the front door of where you’re now probably trying to decide between a pint of London Pride or an ESB.
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The pub occupies a building that feels old, though the current interior is a result of a major refurbishment. It’s not a 500-year-old tavern with sawdust on the floor. It’s a sophisticated space that honors the site’s proximity to the scaffold. Samuel Pepys, the famous diarist, lived and worked nearby at the Navy Office. In fact, his local church, St Olave’s, is just around the corner. He famously watched the execution of Major-General Harrison (one of the regicides who signed Charles I's death warrant) and then casually went to get a drink. People were built differently back then.
What’s Actually on the Menu?
Don’t expect "executioner’s stew." The food here is solid, predictable British pub fare.
- The Pies: They are the main event. Fuller’s takes their "Piemaster" status seriously. You’re looking at slow-cooked beef and ale or chicken and leek, usually served with a mountain of mash and gravy that’s thick enough to paint a fence with.
- Fish and Chips: It’s the standard test of any London pub. Here, they use London Pride batter. It’s crispy, not too oily, and usually comes with mushy peas that actually taste like peas rather than green paste.
- Sunday Roast: If you’re here on a weekend, the roast is the move. They do a 21-day aged beef that’s usually pink in the middle, just how it should be.
The beer list is exactly what you’d expect from a flagship Fuller’s. You’ll find the staples—London Pride, ESB, Frontier—but they also rotate seasonal ales. If you’re lucky, you might find something from their "Vintage Ale" series, though those are usually tucked away in bottles and cost a bit more. It’s a great spot for someone who wants a "proper" English bitter without the pretension of a craft beer bar.
Why Locals (and Not Just Tourists) Actually Go Here
You might think a pub with this name would be 100% tourists in "I Love London" t-shirts. Surprisingly, it isn't. Because it’s located on the edge of the City (the financial district), it gets a massive influx of "suits" during the week.
Between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM on a Thursday, it is packed.
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It’s the sound of deals being done and people venting about their compliance officers. The atmosphere shifts from "sightseer rest stop" to "corporate watering hole" almost instantly. It’s loud. It’s energetic. It feels like real London. If you want a quiet corner to read a book, go at 2:30 PM on a Tuesday. Otherwise, be prepared to stand near the bar with your pint perched on a ledge.
The staff are used to the volume. They’re efficient. You won't get the "slow-motion" service you find in some of the more tired pubs further East. They have to be fast because a City worker on a lunch break doesn't have thirty minutes to wait for a burger.
Navigating the Location and Surroundings
The Hung Drawn and Quartered pub is located at 26-27 Great Tower Street. It’s literally a three-minute walk from Tower Hill Underground station (Circle and District lines).
If you’re doing the "London History" circuit, this is the perfect midpoint. You can visit the Tower of London in the morning, see the Crown Jewels, feel a bit depressed about the prisoners, and then walk over here for lunch. Directly across the street is All Hallows by the Tower, the oldest church in the City of London, founded in 675 AD. It survived the Great Fire of 1666 because Admiral Penn (father of William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania) had his men blow up the surrounding buildings to create a firebreak.
You can actually go into the crypt of that church and see a Roman pavement. It’s wild. Then you walk across the street and have a beer. That’s London in a nutshell.
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Debunking the Myths
People ask some weird things about this place. No, it’s not haunted—or at least, no more haunted than any other square inch of London. No, there aren't actual gallows inside. And no, the name isn't meant to be offensive; it’s historical.
Some people think it’s an "ancient" pub. While the site has history, the current iteration is very much a modern, well-maintained business. If you’re looking for "Ye Olde" wonky floors and ceilings you have to duck under, you’re better off heading to the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street. But if you want a clean bathroom, a cold pint, and a seat that doesn't feel like it’s about to collapse, this is the better choice.
Another misconception is that it’s overpriced because of the location. Honestly? It’s City of London prices. It’s not cheap, but it’s not a ripoff compared to the bars inside the actual tourist attractions. You’re paying for the real estate and the quality of the brewery.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head to the Hung Drawn and Quartered pub, do it right.
- Book a table for lunch. During the week, the City crowd is relentless. If you show up at 1:00 PM without a reservation, you’ll be eating your pie while standing up.
- Check the basement. There’s often more seating downstairs if the main floor looks like a mosh pit of bankers.
- Try the seasonal ale. Don’t just stick to Pride. Fuller’s does some genuinely interesting limited runs that you won't find in the smaller "tied" houses.
- Combine it with the Sky Garden. It’s a ten-minute walk from the pub. Visit the Sky Garden for the free views (book weeks in advance!), then come here for a drink. The drinks at the Sky Garden are twice the price and half as "London."
- Look at the walls. There are some great historical prints and bits of information about the local area. It’s like a mini-museum if you actually pay attention.
The pub serves as a bridge between the gruesome past of Tower Hill and the polished, high-speed present of the financial district. It’s a place where you can sit and reflect on the fact that, a few hundred years ago, people were being literally torn apart exactly where you're sitting, all while you enjoy a very nice plate of bangers and mash. It’s a weird contrast, but that’s exactly why London is fascinating.
Don't let the name intimidate you. It’s just a damn good pub in a location that happens to have a very dark resume.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the current opening hours on the Fuller’s website, as City pubs sometimes close earlier on weekends when the office workers are gone.
- Walk to the nearby Tower Hill Memorial after your meal. It’s a somber, beautiful spot that commemorates merchant seamen lost in the World Wars, offering a quiet counterpoint to the pub’s bustle.
- Pair your visit with a trip to St Dunstan in the East, a bombed-out church turned public garden that’s just a five-minute walk away—it’s one of the most "Instagrammable" spots in London and provides a great place to walk off a heavy pub lunch.