The Viaduct Tavern

A Cornerstone of Victorian London

Standing proudly at the junction of Newgate Street and Giltspur Street, The Viaduct Tavern is a living relic of Victorian London. Opened in 1874 and remodelled in 1898 by architect Arthur Dixon, the pub was designed to serve the bustling flow of people crossing the newly constructed Holborn Viaduct. Its curved, Italianate facade and multiple doors once catered to different social classes, each entering through their own designated entrance. The pub’s grandeur reflects the era’s ambition, blending spectacle with accessibility, and remains one of the few surviving examples of a true Victorian gin palace in the capital.

Layers of History Beneath the Floor

The Viaduct Tavern sits on a site steeped in London’s penal past. Before the pub rose, the location was home to the Giltspur Street Compter, a debtors’ prison, and later, the shadow of Newgate Prison loomed nearby. The pub’s cellars are said to contain remnants of prison cells, and tales of hauntings persist—patrons and staff have reported unexplained noises, cold spots, and even phantom whispers. While the authenticity of these cells is debated, their presence adds a haunting allure to the pub’s atmosphere, inviting visitors to ponder the lives once confined beneath the city streets.

Architectural Splendour and Social Legacy

Inside, the Viaduct Tavern dazzles with original features: a quadrant-shaped bar, ornate woodwork, etched glass panels, and a ceiling adorned with swirling relief panels. The manager’s booth, carved from hardwood and engraved glass, stands as a testament to the pub’s historic role as a social hub. The Viaduct Tavern has long been a gathering place for barristers, court clerks, and locals, its walls echoing with centuries of conversation, drama, and camaraderie. Its Grade II listing and inclusion on CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors underscore its national significance.

Atmosphere and Modern Experience

Today, the Viaduct Tavern retains its historic charm while welcoming a diverse crowd. Its intimate, atmospheric interior is perfect for a quiet pint or lively conversation. The pub’s proximity to St Paul’s Cathedral and the Old Bailey makes it a natural stop for tourists and locals alike. Whether drawn by its history, its architecture, or its reputation for ghostly encounters, visitors leave with a sense of stepping into a bygone era, where every corner tells a story.