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Prime Ministers: they’re just like us.
In an interview with Time Out, Andy Burnham revealed his favourite watering holes in the capital. And it turns out that even the leader of the country can’t deny the pull of the affordable pint, as two of his chosen spots were a Wetherspoons and a Samuel Smith’s.
‘I know London well and it’s a myth that I’m anti-London. I don’t think there’s a pub in London I’ve not been in,’ Burnham told Time Out.
Want to know where the PM drinks? Here are three pubs in the capital he can’t live without.
The Chandos, St Martin’s Lane
This spot in central London is known for its cheap and cheerful atmosphere, and is often used as a stopover for theatre goers before heading to see a show on the West End.
‘The Chandos I always used to like because that was our meeting point whenever there was an [Everton FC] away game,’ Burnham said.
Time Out’s food and drink editor Leonie Cooper weighed in: ‘Far be it from me to call the Prime Minister basic, but The Chandos isn’t exactly a leftfield pub choice. It’s not a terrible pub by any means (I was actually there last week, but sadly failed to score one of the prized window booths), but its Trafalgar Square adjacent location means it’s usually stacked with tourists endlessly umming and ahhing at the bar.
‘It’s also a Sam Smith’s pub. Is Andy Burnham subtly suggesting that he agrees with the chain’s (often ignored) phone ban? Or maybe he just likes the extremely convenient placement to an evening spent with the English National Opera at the London Coliseum next door.’
The Barking Dog, Barking
This humble ‘Spoons next to Barking station closed down in 2022 to make way for a housing development, but not before the PM had a rager in there.
‘I have a memory of a night out at the Barking Dog after an Everton West Ham match. That was memorable I can say for sure. I’ll probably get myself in trouble if I explain any more than that.’
In 2024 Wetherspoons said it was committed to reopening the pub, although no opening date has been revealed since then.
The Dog House, Kennington
Andy Burnham named the Dog House as his number one drinking spot in the Big Smoke. The Victorian pub on Kennington Road is a famous former haunt of Morrissey, which is fitting for the PM who is a Smiths superfan.
‘This place has been a bit of a go-to over the years. Me and my wife had our 30th birthday in the upstairs room there.
‘It just has a relaxed middle of the week sort of feeling. It’s a bit homely and not too pretentious.’
The 50 best pubs in London, according to Time Out.
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