Ye Three Lords

You're walking down Minories, just a stone's throw from the Tower, when you spot this proper old-school pub that's somehow resisted the relentless gentrification of the Square Mile. Inside, it's all dark wood, low ceilings, and the kind of worn leather that tells you this place has seen actual Londoners, not just tourists. The vibe is refreshingly no-nonsense—this is where the local office crowd decamps for a proper pint without pretension, the kind of place where the bar staff know their regulars and the ale selection actually matters. Food's solid rather than showy; you're coming here for honest pub classics and a decent craft beer list, not an Instagram moment.