The Crosse Keys

£4 - £10 / British, Vegetarian options

9 Gracechurch St, London

Opening hours

8AM-12AM

Sunday 9:30AM-9PM
Monday 8AM-11PM
Tuesday 8AM-11PM
Wednesday 8AM-11PM
Thursday 8AM-11PM
Friday 8AM-12AM
Saturday 8:30AM-11PM

Grand City Pub with Budget-Friendly Charm

Tucked in the historic lanes of the City of London, this Wetherspoons, known as The Crosse Keys, takes up residence in a gracefully repurposed former bank building. The charm of its past whispers through the grand architecture, with ornate pillars holding up vast ceilings and a tantalizing stained glass cupola perfect for admiring over your reasonably priced libations. Seating is an auditorium embracing the vibrant hum of patrons – City workers winding down, tourists capturing every picturesque angle, and regulars who just adore the familiar face of Wetherspoons. Here, you can enjoy some deliciously decadent traditional English fares—fish and chips, of course—alongside a globally inspired menu that surely accommodates a myriad of preferences. All of this supported by a swift app-based ordering system that caters to our modern impulses.

As expected of a pub possessing such a sprawling, echo-filled interior, there can be quite a bustle around you that adds to its intricate liveliness – think Grand Central Station meets British public house. Friendly staff swoop in and out like clockwork, promptly refilling ales and ciders renowned for their value within the big city, not letting any table obstacles delay their service. Its proximity to notable landmarks offers an element of convenience, making it an ideal spot for both stopovers and social rendezvous alike. Despite inevitable busy hours, there appears a steadfast knack of maintaining an affordable character true to its chain identity but laced with a touch of London's noble elegance. The real show-stopper though, amid the curated chaos, remains the sight it presents—a marble grandeur evoking a sumptuous past, even under the trivialities that an ever-practical patronage disperses. — Audrey Al Dente