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Shot by a City Insiders curator.
The White Hart
★ 4.0(1 review)Bar
historiclocal-crowdintimate
About the Vibe
The White Hart isn't trying to be trendy—it's a proper old London pub that's been serving Whitechapel since 1721. You'll find it's narrow and intimate with eclectic furnishings, and the real draw is its dark history: this is where Martha Tabram, Jack the Ripper's first known victim, had her last drink before being murdered in the alley beside the pub. The basement was once home to George Chapman, a barber who turned into a serial killer using his "Musical Shave" gimmick to lure victims. It's not the cosiest spot in the world (the place could use a fresh coat of paint), but there's something genuinely atmospheric about drinking in a location steeped in such grisly history. The vibe is classic pub—locals chat at the bar, you can talk to anyone or no one depending on your mood, and they serve a proper pint of London Pride. It's not fancy, but it's authentic. The alleyway next door (George Yard) is still creepy-looking and definitely adds to the Ripper tour vibe. If you're into history, this place delivers. If you're just looking for a quiet pint, you'll find it here too—just maybe don't look too hard into the basement.
Known For
- •Jack the Ripper history
- •Martha Tabram's last drink
- •George Chapman's basement
- •London Pride on tap
Best For
history toursauthentic pub experiencequiet pint
1 review
City InsidersEditorialApril 8, 2026
A Historic Pub with a Dark Story
The White Hart is exactly what you'd expect from a 300-year-old Whitechapel pub—narrow, unpretentious, and steeped in history. Walk in and you'll find a proper local atmosphere where regulars chat at the bar and the staff are friendly without being over-the-top. They serve a solid pint of London Pride, and the eclectic furnishings give it character, even if the place could use a fresh coat of paint. What really sets it apart, though, is the dark story that hangs over this spot.
You're drinking in the same space where Martha Tabram, Jack the Ripper's first known victim, had her last drink before wandering into George Yard and being stabbed to death. The alley beside the pub still looks sinister, and that's part of the appeal. Even more chilling is the basement, where George Chapman operated as a barber under the guise of offering a "Musical Shave" while secretly killing women. It's not the kind of history you forget, and the pub embraces it without being exploitative.
If you're doing a Jack the Ripper tour, this is a must-stop. Even if you're not, it's worth visiting for the atmosphere and the chance to drink in a genuinely historic London pub. It's not fancy, it's not trendy, but it's real—and that's rare these days.