The Old Fountain is a family-run free house tucked away on Baldwin Street near Old Street, serving up 28 beers on tap — from cask ales to craft keg — since the early 1960s. The first-floor roof terrace is the real draw, heated and covered so you can enjoy a pint outdoors year-round. Come for the Sunday roast, stay for the dartboard and the old-school pub charm.
Family-run since the '60s with 28 beers on tap and a heated roof terrace — one of Old Street's last proper pubs.
Book ahead for Sunday roasts — the terrace fills up fast and several reviewers warn it gets packed on weekends.
A proper back-street pub with 28 beers and a heated roof terrace
The Old Fountain is the kind of back-street pub that reminds you why London's boozer culture is worth preserving. Family-run since the early 1960s and tucked away on Baldwin Street just off Old Street, it's got genuine character — none of that gutted-and-refitted nonsense. The bar is the heart of the place, with 28 beers on tap spanning cask ales, craft keg, and ciders, and the bartenders actually know what they're pouring. Reviewers consistently praise the knowledgeable staff and the sheer range of options, from award-winning real ales to interesting bottles.
The first-floor roof terrace is probably the best part of the pub, as multiple Yelp reviewers have noted. It's heated and covered, which means you can sit outside comfortably even when London weather is doing its usual thing. Downstairs you'll find a dartboard and a traditional two-level layout with a few steps between rooms — it feels lived-in and proper.
Food-wise, the Sunday roast gets the most love. Reviewers call it "phenomenal" with great portion sizes and amazing flavour, and it's consistently rated as one of the better pub roasts in the area. The kitchen serves food daily, but Sunday is when it really shines. A heads-up from several reviewers: Sundays can get busy, so if you want a terrace spot for a roast, book ahead or arrive early. Prices are typical London, so don't expect a bargain — but for the quality and the atmosphere, it's fair.
Le Old Fountain, c'est le genre de pub de quartier qui vous rappelle pourquoi la culture des pubs londoniens mérite d'être préservée. Géré par la même famille depuis le début des années 1960, il est niché sur Baldwin Street, juste à côté d'Old Street, et respire l'authenticité. Le bar est le cœur du lieu, avec 28 bières à la pression — des real ales primées aux bières craft et cidres — et les barmen connaissent vraiment leur sujet. Les avis saluent régulièrement la compétence du personnel et l'impressionnante sélection.
La terrasse du premier étage est sans doute le meilleur atout du pub, comme le soulignent plusieurs avis sur Yelp. Elle est chauffée et couverte, ce qui permet d'en profiter même sous la pluie londonienne. En bas, vous trouverez un dartboard et une disposition traditionnelle sur deux niveaux avec quelques marches entre les pièces — un vrai pub sans chichis.
Côté cuisine, le rôti du dimanche est la star. Les clients le qualifient de « phénoménal », avec de belles portions et beaucoup de goût. La cuisine sert tous les jours, mais c'est le dimanche que ça brille vraiment. Attention : les dimanches sont pris d'assaut, donc réservez ou arrivez tôt si vous voulez une place sur la terrasse. Les prix sont ceux du Londres classique — pas un plan d'économie, mais un rapport qualité-prix honnête pour l'ambiance et le niveau.