The Harlequin
Opening hours:
Mon - Thur: 4pm - 12am
Fri - Sat: 4pm - 2am
Address: 27 Arlington Way, London EC1R 1UY
A small gem with a big history
Nestled in a quiet street behind Sadler's Wells theatre, this hidden treasure brimming with history is a real discovery. Established as a beer shop in 1848, the Harlequin pays tribute to the 19th century heyday of early English pantomime, when the great comic actor Joseph Grimaldi was the star performer at Sadler's Wells Theatre next door. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a chance to frequent the pub as he was dead before the opening of the Harlequin, but you can still find his farewell speech and other theatre memorabilia on the walls.
Here you will encounter a cosmopolitan crowd including locals, theatregoers, dancers, musicians, actors and journalists. The Harlequin is also often featured on YouTube as the venue for PoliticsJOE celebrity interviews along with welcoming all types of visitors from across London and beyond. Even Brian Reader, mastermind of the infamous Hatton Garden hole in the wall gang has had a close relationship with the pub, as he used to live upstairs with the former landlady!
An unexpected haven of peace
Relax in the intimate candlelit beer garden, or warm up next to the cosy fireplace in winter. Who knows, you might even enjoy a piano singsong! If you are hungry, you could take delight in enjoying a cheeseboard and a selection of delicious Spanish style tapas such as feta stuffed peppers, truffle saucissons, anchovy banderilles, Gordal olives and wonderful Torres crisps.
