The Magpie

Vibrant Atmosphere and Unmatched Hospitality

Upon walking into The Magpie, tucked humbly away just off the beaten path near Liverpool Street, you’d be forgiven for thinking you'd accidentally stumbled into an old friend's lively gathering rather than one of London’s quintessential pubs. Its historical wooden panelling and eclectic vintage décor serve as a comfortable nest from which to observe the human theatre unfolding second by second. This is where city folk unwind, clustering in animated groups that ebb and flow like tides around the central bar, drawn by the invisible current of clinking pints and amiable chatter—very nearly, but not quite, drowning out the jaunty football highlights on the telly.

It's not just the atmosphere that's intoxicating. The real allure lies in the extraordinarily upbeat cadre of staff members, who somehow manage to remain buoyantly polite even when brisk business threatens to overwhelm lesser mortals. Notably, employees like Ryan and Felix somehow juggle the bartending precision of Tom Cruise circa “Cocktail” with the magisterial grace of a seasoned maître d’, unbiddenly executing each drink with both flair and precision. Even the pricey £7.30 Guinness seems less glaring in the context of such camaraderie. Despite a few logistical hiccups—you'll wish takeaway boxes were more readily available—The Magpie adeptly disguises these quirks with its undeniable crowd-pleasing culinary offerings and gives us critics very little to complain about indeed. If it were any closer to Liverpool Street itself, you'd reluctantly choose to wait out your commute here rather than catch the next train home.
— Penelope Savory