St James's · Westminster
The Golden Lion
A former theatre pub with masks carved into its facade.
- Address25 King Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6QY
- Phone020 7925 0007
- Websitegreeneking.co.uk/pubs/greater-london/golden-lion-st-james-s
- OwnershipPart of Greene King
About The Golden Lion
Rebuilt in ornate Jacobean Baroque style in the 1890s, this King Street pub kept close ties to the long-vanished St James's Theatre next door.
A pub has stood on this King Street site since around 1690, but today's building dates from 1897-98, rebuilt in an elaborate Jacobean Baroque style with theatrical masks carved into its curved frontage — a nod to the St James's Theatre, which stood next door from 1835 until its demolition in 1957. The pub's upstairs 'Theatre Bar' still displays memorabilia from that lost playhouse, and the ground floor keeps its original panelled counter and deeply etched Victorian mirrors.
On tap
Cask ales from Greene King, Cask Marque-accredited, alongside a standard wine and spirits range.
Food
Traditional pub food built around a solidly reliable Sunday roast.
More pubs in St James's
- The Red LionA perfect miniature Victorian gin palace, mirrors and all.
- The Two ChairmenNamed for the sedan-chair carriers of old Westminster.