Beer, calzone, pokies and sports coverage are all on the agenda at this Paddo pub. Locals in Five Ways consider this place a round-the-corner fave.
Revamped and swished up, The London is looking rather spiffy these days. Thankfully - unlike many other Sydney boozers - its facelift hasn't come at the cost of ripping its soul out. This place still feels like a classic corner joint. Look past the new paintjob and the mod fit-out and you'll see it has retained its grand old facade and plenty of charming features within.
Downstairs is the main pub zone. Here you will find Coopers, Pure Blonde and Stella Artois on tap. Sports matches are frequently screened and the pokies are discreetly tucked away from those who aren't interested. Meal options such as steak, gourmet pizza and calzone are all chalked up on the blackboard.
Rub shoulders with the packs of 20- and 30-somethings downstairs, or alternatively nip upstairs for a quieter drink (as long as there isn't a rowdy function on up there as well). The wooden banister leads the way up to a few lovely, pokey rooms. Here, you can sink into a couch and pretend you're the master or mistress of this classic manor. The grand mirrors, stuffed ducks and faux-candle lamp fittings may seem a little serious, but hey, they're somewhat vamped up by leopard-rugged floors. Rrraaww! Here, you can shoot pool, gossip over G&Ts or just have a secret pash. Quick! No one's looking.
Andrea Tomaz
