Smoked by AI · London · people

Matt Brown

Critic · Journalist · Author — London pubs, London history and geography; the Londonist pub reviews.

long-serving Londonist editor and author of its pub write-ups, published under his own byline with a verdict; Londonist sits in the expert-local media tier for London pubs. Author of London history books (Everything You Know About London is Wrong).

Their own reviews and picks.

Their own judgment, in their own words, by the piece it appeared in.

• Londonist ↗their review · 2018-06-21
  • Mother Kelly's (Vauxhall)Vauxhall

    “The place has more beer taps than just about anywhere else in town. A staggering 33 options present themselves, even more than the parent bar in Bethnal Green.”

• Londonist, Best Pubs in London ↗their review · 2015-01-23
  • The Market PorterBorough Market

    “This place takes its ales seriously, with up to nine options on draught (hint: don't be fooled by the limited range you see when you first walk in; most of the pumps are hidden round the corner of the bar).”

• Londonist, 'The Lyric, Soho' ↗their review · 2014-10-28
  • The LyricSoho

    “the bar stocks the best range of beer in the area (six on draught, a whole platoon of kegs, who can say how many bottles), putting it up there with the Harp in Covent Garden as a rare West End refuge for the seeker of interesting ales.”

• Londonist, 'Royal Oak, Borough' ↗their review · 2014-01-07
  • The Royal OakBorough

    “Arguably, its most notable feature is its long affiliation with Harveys of Lewes, an independent Sussex-based brewery founded in the late 18th century. While several London pubs are now owned by the Sussex brewer, The Royal Oak is one of the originals, and built a strong reputation on that claim.”

• Londonist, 'Old Coffee House' ↗their review · 2013-11-26
  • The Old Coffee HouseSoho

    “This pub is one of only three in London owned by the brewery, and its draught offerings are rarely found elsewhere.”