The Bear & Staff

Stopped in on a random Thursday in November while we were visiting London on holiday. It looked very crowded from the outside which is always a good sign. We initially were only going to have a beer on the main level, however we ended up going upstairs for a sit-​down. It is rather small, but oh so cozy and we were seated right away. Staff was super friendly and the people in the pub were super friendly; you could tell were regulars.
At the server’s recommendation, I ordered the Chicken Mushroom Pie and the boyfriend ordered Gloucester Old Spot Sausages. It came out very quickly and was absolutely lovely. I don’t think I can put into words how amazing this pie was. I still DREAM of this pie 7 months later. Absolutely delicious!
If we ever return to London, this will be our go-​to place to grab a pint and grub.

My friends and I stopped into The Bear and Staff on a Sunday afternoon around 2:30 for lunch. The dining room is upstairs and somewhat small, so I would recommend a reservation no matter what time you plan to go. We only got a table because a reservation did not show up.
They had about nine beers on tap, including some of their own. There is a full bar as well. I ordered the quinoa and bean salad with chicken and it was a good lunch item. My friends had the fish and chips, the chicken and leek pie, and the veggie burger. Everyone enjoyed their meals and we would definitely go back.
The service was just okay, but then again I’m used to American service and not European service where there aren’t tips, etc. Overall, everything was pretty good and enjoyable.

Had a lovely meal at the Bear & Staff the other night. So refreshing to be in the middle of Leicester Square and not only have a seat, but be able to actually have a conversation without shouting over the din of crowds or music. The food was delicious & well prepared, and the staff were attentive without being overbearing. Prior to going, I didn’t even know that they had a restaurant upstairs of the bustling pub. I’ll remember it now.

Excellent place, typically British. They have like a sports bar on the ground floor and a restaurant upstairs with really good food. Always happy to go back there

Excellent pub to have a pre dinner or pre theater drink! This has been my go-​to pub before dinner at J Sheeky and it’s an great meeting location if your planning on spending the evening in Covent Garden. They have Aspal cider on tap, so for you cider lovers, don’t miss it!

Ever wanted to try a Sunday Roast, but the one at The Bear & Staff was definitely my last one!
It was very thin and more than well done beef meat in a very bad quality. The vegetables also were overcooked, totally ruined and shortly before not eatable. Even worse were the potatoes, it’s one thing to have them crispy, but more than half of them burnt so black no one want’s to eat them not even for free. Plus the roast is with almost £13 not that cheap…
So I can just advise against going to this pub, there are a lot more and maybe cheaper pubs you can try. So please, say no to The Bear & Staff and don’t waste your money!
Und jetzt auf Deutsch, das Essen ist für den Preis wirklich nicht gut. Schlechtes Fleisch, latschiges Gemüse und verbrannte Kartoffel! Also geht lieber woanders hin, wo es besser schmeckt und günstiger ist!

Small pub off Leicester Sq., decent drinks decent atmosphere, very crowded on Fridays. Nice collection of Charlie Chaplin photos. Dining room was also fairly good and the service was attentive and quick

Love this place. Always finish the night off here. Great staff and music. Buzzing atmosphere. A pub full of history.

Food was good, not amazing. Fish and chips and gammon steak and egg were what was ordered. Portion of chips was almost non-​existent. Otherwise portion of fish and gammon steak was decent.
Service was absolutely atrocious. Worst I have ever experienced in London. Waitress was trying, but just not capable. Took over 15 minutes (probably much more than that) for server to come ask us what we wanted to drink and take our order. Then took her a lot longer to bring us the drinks. Didnt bring water until we were almost done with our meals.
I would rate 4 star based on food, but all in experience 3 stars at best.
Prices were very reasonable.

Great little pub with some neat historic tid bits. It was pouring rain so I just randomly picked this place to get some food and a pint and get warmed up! The bartender was very nice. I wanted to try a different beer and she explained the difference in the local beers compared to what I am used to in the states. She was very helpful and gave me a taste of one she thought I might like based on what I told her and she hit it right on! I had scallops and chips and it was very good. There are several signs about the pub on the walls, such as that part of it was once a tabacco shop and that Charlie Chaplin frequented the place. Always a plus to find some good stories about a place and it added to the charm. This was a great stop, good service, good pub food, and great beers with a few extra quirks in the atmosphere! Can’t ask for more than that in a pub!

I was in the Leicester Square, and I noticed this pub was right around the corner. I walked in, and good thing to as this pub was great.
I ordered food, then five minuets later it was cheerfully placed on my table. I ordered the Bree bacon wrapped chicken, which was a lovely meal especially after walking around London all day. Additionally, the staff here were friendly and didn’t think twice at laughing with you.

Good and friendly service with a touch of humour (she is so funny)
Real English Food, even tasty!

Visiting Canadian & New Yorker, House beer tastes crappy and I can’t believe I paid € 10 for this horrible «Caesar salad». About € 1 a lettuce leaf. Avoid.

First restaurant/​pub I have been in London and I was seduced by the food and the staff. I went to the UK with a bad idea about London’s food but after this restaurant I changed my mind.
The fish & chips were fresh and good, looking nice in the plate, the beer was very good too. Price are OK, we are in London so we know it is not going to be cheap but this restaurant was not that expensive too.
Plus the waitress and waiter were very nice and attentive. They even give us some advice to discover the city and other restaurant in London.
I recommend this restaurant for tourists like me ;-)

Good ales. Nice little pub. Better than the Green King pub round the corner. Right by Leicester Square tube. Good place to meet.

Great spot on the edge of Leicester Square. Inside is fairly dark despite all the corner windows. There are tables and a smoking patio out front. Once in a great while they will provide service out there but usually not. The patio has some small heat lamps but they are ineffective if it’s actually cold outdoors. Very good selection of cask ales and not the typical ones.
As one might expect for the location, the inside is usually packed. I wouldn’t say the staff is outright rude but they aren’t particularly friendly either.

In the happening middle streets of London, the smallish bar will serve up a selection of the usual. Nothing great about this place other than it’s atmosphere of a weekend night.
Got a nice mix of customers, but you can find better places around.

C’est le milieu de l’après midi, il pleut depuis le matin. On se retrouve dans le quartier de Leceister Square par hasard, un peu trempés et affamés. L’envie de fish and chips nous prend soudain !
On passé devant le bear and staff, typique pub londonien avec un dining au premier étage, dans un quartier assez touristique qu’on se demande si ce n’est pas un piège. Mais la carte n’est pas si excessive que ça, alors on se lance !
Résultat, on s’est régalés et calés l’estomac jusqu’au lendemain matin tellement c’était bien servi par un serveur au poil. Les fish and chips étaient excellents et la bière qui allait avec aussi. Une bonne adresse à conseiller.

This review is long overdue as I visited last year; however, their food was so memorable, I didn’t want to omit it.
I dined here on a Sunday night and sat upstairs. The restaurant is centrally located — you’re just steps away from Leicester Square – and the décor was quite lovely. There is also another bar situated on the upper level.
My waitress was very helpful and friendly – I recall she was originally from Canada.
I ordered the fish and chips and a beer. The waitress was nice enough to give me a 2^nd helping of their delicious mushy peas.
The fish and chips were prepared perfectly — a generous portion of cod fillet and skin on chips. Not greasy, not heavy but so very delicious.
Unfortunately, I was there just once and my review is based on my memorable fish and chips dinner. Give it a try.

Location, location, location. I’ve been here twice, just because of its proximity to Leicester Square. And the yummy mulled wine.
The prices are excessive (but not surprising thanks to the location) and it’s so packed that it’s nearly impossible to sit down unless you stalk a table. The crowd is also so-​so. When we went on a Sunday, it was mostly theatre goers and tourists. On a Friday, rude tourists and drunk businessmen (almost no women). I was there by myself waiting for the Irishman for about half an hour and it was very uncomfortable being stared at and commented at by the other patrons. I wouldn’t go back alone, for sure.
The dining room upstairs looks nice, although we haven’t eaten there before.

Famous for being the local watering hole for THE Charlie Chaplin (they even named the upstairs dinning room after him!) The Bear & Staff is #3 on the Theatreland ale trail half a block down from the Leicester Square tube station.
It’s got a nice section of outdoor seating year round, with some heat lamps, the inside is tight, decorated with dark wood everywhere. The building dates back to 1878 when it was rebuilt, so it’s got some charm. They have a slight upper section off from the bar that has some movie star memorabilia and ok lighting during the daytime, in the evening it’s pretty dim.
As a Nicholson’s it’s got the same menu and ale/​beer/​wine/​Pimms in summer as all the others. It’s wheelchair accessible to the main bar only.
When I was there the staff where not on top of their game, meaning I had to stand there for nearly 10 minutes before I even ordered my drink despite it being 1pm on a Friday.
If you have a chance to sit by one of the windows it provides great people watching coming up for either Leicester or Traflager Square.
The restrooms clearly have been remodeled, they made smart choices, the only downfall is that trying to find them is a little maze like.
Due to it’s close location to both squares and the West End it gets packed during the after work hours and on weekends. I’d recommend going for meal here midday or grabbing a pint before the rush. It’s pleasant, close but lacks a lot of what I consider tradition and atmosphere.