Inda Pubs Ltd

Just what London needs - another pub with a whimsical name. Inda Pubs Ltd sounds like something a focus group conjured up after too many pints of warm ale. I trudged through the drizzle to this latest addition to the capital's endless parade of watering holes, fully prepared to pen another scathing review about the death of authentic British pub culture.

But damn it all if Inda Pubs Ltd hasn't managed to do something rather interesting here.

First, let's address the elephant in the room - that name. It's trying too hard to be clever, like a dad joke that's had one too many gin and tonics. Yet somehow, much like that tipsy father figure at a wedding, it becomes endearing despite itself. Or maybe that's just the effects of their surprisingly decent selection of craft beers talking.

The space itself defies my initial skepticism. While most London pubs these days seem torn between sterile modernization and forced Victorian cosplay, Inda Pubs Ltd has struck an unlikely balance. The interior manages to feel contemporary without completely abandoning the warm embrace of traditional pub aesthetics. Dark wood meets clean lines, and somehow it works, like finding out your stuffy uncle secretly has excellent taste in music.

Their outdoor seating area - because of course they have one, this is post-pandemic London after all - actually makes sense of the space rather than feeling like a grudging concession to smokers and social distancing enthusiasts. It's properly integrated into the building's architecture, not just some sad collection of wobbly tables thrust onto the pavement like unwanted garden furniture.

The drink selection deserves particular mention, if only because it forced me to delete several paragraphs of pre-written snark from my notes. Beyond the expected array of mass-market lagers, they've assembled a genuinely thoughtful collection of ales, wines, and cocktails. The bar staff actually know their stuff too, which is becoming rarer than a reasonable rent in Zone 1.

Speaking of staff, they've somehow managed to hire people who understand the delicate art of pub service - attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without pretension, and capable of reading the room better than most West End actors. They know when to chat and when to leave you to your quiet contemplation of life's mysteries (or your phone, let's be honest).

For groups, the pub offers several well-designed spaces that accommodate different sizes without making anyone feel like they're in the waiting room of a particularly jovial doctor's office. The layout encourages natural conversation flow, with enough nooks and crannies to escape that one friend who always gets a bit too passionate about cryptocurrency after their third pint.

The payment system is mercifully modern - they accept cards without the eye-rolling that some traditional pubs still consider charming. Though I'm convinced this is less about customer service and more about ensuring they capture every possible pound from increasingly cashless punters.

What truly sets Inda Pubs Ltd apart in London's saturated pub scene is its ability to serve multiple masters without seeming schizophrenic. It works for after-work drinks, weekend socializing, or those occasions when you need to show visiting relatives a "proper London pub" without subjecting them to sticky floors and questionable bathroom facilities.

In terms of location, it's planted itself firmly in that sweet spot between "conveniently central" and "not overrun with tourists taking photos of their pints." The surrounding neighborhood provides enough foot traffic to keep the atmosphere lively without descending into the chaos that plagues some of the city's more notorious drinking establishments.

Look, I wanted to hate Inda Pubs Ltd. I really did. London hardly needs another pub claiming to reinvent the wheel of British drinking culture. But much like that friend who keeps dating people who are actually good for them despite your determined cynicism, this place makes it difficult to maintain one's professional pessimism.

If you must venture out for a drink in London - and let's face it, in this city, you must - you could do far worse than Inda Pubs Ltd. Just don't tell them I sent you. I have a reputation to maintain.