The Hawke Pub

Oh. My. Days. Let me tell you about The Hawke Pub in London, because this place is basically what would happen if your coolest friend opened a pub and said "let's make this THE spot." Like, the kind of place where you pop in for "just one" and end up creating the sort of evening that becomes next year's Christmas party story.

Listen, I've been to my fair share of London pubs that think they're all that and a bag of crisps, but The Hawke is actually delivering the goods. You know when you walk into somewhere and immediately think "yeah, this is going to be good"? That's the vibe here. The kind of spot where the lighting makes everyone look like their Instagram filter, but it's actually real life.

The beer garden here is like finding a secret garden party in the middle of London. ACTUAL MAGIC. When the weather's playing nice (yes, it happens in London occasionally), this is where you want to be. It's got this perfectly curated casual-cool thing going on that makes you want to cancel all your other plans and just... stay.

And can we talk about the food for a second? Because HOLY SCHNITZELS, BATMAN. Their chicken schnitzel is what would happen if a chicken Kiev went to finishing school and came back sophisticated but still knew how to party. The whipped cod's roe? It's so good you'll want to fight your friends for the last bit (pro tip: order two, save your friendships).

The drinks situation deserves its own paragraph. Actually, its own NOVEL. Their Bloody Marys are basically a religious experience - the kind that makes you believe in the power of hair of the dog. The wine list is this beautifully curated selection that makes you feel like you actually know what you're talking about when you order. And the Guinness? chef's kiss Perfect pour, every time.

Here's the thing about The Hawke that makes it extra special - it's got this perfect sweet spot pricing where you're not checking your bank balance every five minutes, but you're getting the kind of quality that makes you feel like you're living your best London life. The kind of place where you can treat yourself without having to eat instant noodles for the rest of the month.

Service is like having a really competent friend behind the bar - they know when you need another round before you do, and they've got that sixth sense about when to let you chat and when to swing by with menu suggestions that are absolutely spot-on. Shoutout to their team who somehow manage to make everyone feel like they're regulars, even if it's their first time in.

The atmosphere is basically impossible to mess up - whether you're planning an awkward first date (trust me, it won't be awkward here), catching up with your crew, or trying to impress your foodie friend who "doesn't do pubs anymore." The space has this way of shifting from chill afternoon vibes to proper evening buzz without you even noticing the transition.

Pro tips because I care about your happiness: Book ahead for Sunday roasts - they're popular for a reason. The cheese steak bun is what dreams are made of, and yes, you should definitely get it. If you're coming with a group (which you should), snag a spot in their garden early - it's first come, first served for the outdoor tables.

Look, London's got about a million pubs, but The Hawke is doing something different here. It's in that perfect sweet spot between 'proper pub' and 'actually amazing food and drinks.' The kind of place where you could take your picky aunt or your rowdy mates and they'd both love it. If you're not here right now, you're probably missing out on the best night of your week. Just saying.