The Newman Arms, Pie Room

🚇 Goodge Street 🍺 £6.10 Big Penny Lager The Newman Arms is located in the heart of Fitzrovia in central London. The nearest Tube is Goodge Street, it’s a five minute walk to get here. If visiting, make sure you walk through Newman Passage, a covered alleyway to the left of the pub, once nicknamed Murderer's Alley. The pub dates back to 1730 and was once a brothel. If you look up to the top middle window of the pub, you’ll see a mural of a prostitute in a period costume. The pub was rebuilt in 1863 when it was licensed as a beer house. The Newman Arms appears in George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four where it was the model for the "Proles" pub. It featured again in his Keep The Aspidistra Flying and in Michael Powell's film Peeping Tom. This is a cosy traditional pub that is set out over three floors. The main bar area is situated on the ground floor and has a panelled servery with a rustic feel. There are some small tables and chairs by the leaded windows and a couple of stools by the bar. If you head downstairs, you’ll find a low lit intimate room with comfy seating. If you head up to the first floor, there is a Georgian panelled room with a secluded booth. The beer selection was all Big Penny (formerly Truman’s) keg beers, except one Fullers cask ale. I decided to try the Big Penny Lager, my pint was decent, price point was average. There is no food served at present. I arrived just before 4pm on a warm Wednesday afternoon in September. The pub was quiet until a group of film and TV workers arrived for an afterwork tipple. The service was great, I was served by the pub’s manager who was welcoming, courteous and kind enough to show me around the pub. I love a central London pub with a bit of history and folklore attached. This is a charming and intimate pub that is easy to settle into. I enjoyed my beer, the setting and the welcoming hospitality. The @newmanarms is definitely one for your list. ℹ️ Info correct on visiting 18.09.24