Best Pubs in London Archives – URBAN-ADVENTURER

Best Pubs in London

September 14 2025

This London Pub Looks Straight Out of The Lord of the Rings – Waxy O’Connor’s

Urban Adventurer Bar, Experience on the go, Hidden Gem, Historical Pubs, Instagrammable Places, Things to Do, Unique Experience Best Pubs in London, Irish Pub, Irish Pub in London, London Biggest Irish Pub, London Pubs, Midlands, St. Patric's Day, The Lord of the Ring, Waxy O'Connor's, Waxy O'Connor's Pub 0

Waxy O’Connor’s is London’s biggest Irish pub. It’s a labyrinth of four unique bars over six levels, all linked together by a warren of staircases, hidden corners, and alleys.

@urbanadventurerldn

[BLOG POST IN BIO] This pub looks like it was stright from The Lord of the Rings 🏰👁️🔥💍 🍺 The pub’s name is Waxy O’Connor’s and it’s a labyrinth of four unique bars over six levels, all linked together by a warren of staircases, hidden corners, and alleys 🕯️ It’s named after a real person. Finbar O’Connor was a famous Irish candlemaker born in 1788 in Dublin, hence the name 🪾In the centre of the pub stands a 250-year-old Irish Beech tree 🏰 The four different bars provide four different atmospheres. You feel like you were in a scene from The Lord of the Rings at one bar, but climb one of the staircases, squeeze through a small alleyway and now it’s like you were at a medieval banquette 📍 14-16 Rupert St, London W1D 6DD #lordoftherings #irishpub #magicalplaces #londonpubs #irishculture

♬ Magical Fantasy – Celestial Aeon Project & Tales From The Dream World

Waxy O’Connor’s – A Labyrinth of Four Unique Pubs

London's Biggest Irish Pub - Waxy O’Connor’s

Photo: Urban Adventurer

At Waxy O’Connor’s you might get lost…in the best way!

Located in the very heart of Soho, Waxy O’Connor’s is actually four different bars under one roof. The pub spans six levels, connected by narrow alleyways, mystical wooden staircases that lead you all directions and hidden corners to explore.

The four different bars provide four different atmospheres. You feel like you were in a scene from The Lord of the Rings at one bar, but climb one of the staircases, squeeze through a small alleyway and now it’s like you were at a medieval banquette.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Follow another wooden staircase, and suddenly you’re at a traditional Irish pub with true Celtic vibes with atmospheric lighting, carved wooden archways, stone fireplaces and iron chandeliers.

A 250-Year-Old Irish Beech Tree in the Centre

Photo: Urban Adventurer

In the centre of Waxy O’Connor’s stands a 250-year-old Irish Beech tree.

The tree was planted 2.5 centuries ago in Midlands Ireland and died naturally in 1994. The tree was shipped to London the following year to be ‘planted’ in the centre of Waxy O’Connor’s. A local woodworker who had played under the tree as a child helped hew and treat the tree.

Since then, the tree has stood tall and proud in the middle of the pub. Guests love sitting under its branches enjoying a pint or two discussing, sport, the weather or other important subjects.

Named After a Real Person

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Waxy O’Connor’s was named after a real person. A famous Dublin candlemaker, Finbar O’Connor was born in 1788 and – following his father’s footsteps – became a candlemaker at the age of 16.

His candles were legendary, just like his appetite and thirst. O’Connor, who was a big man, soon became known as ‘Waxy’ and gained fame for not just his candles but his incredible capacity for hard liquor and his ability to consume a lot of beer and whisky.

Photo: Urban Adventurer

The excuse for consuming such an amazing amount of liqueur was the fact that candlemakers at that time had to work in extreme heat that stole their bodily liquids and drain their energy.

Waxy O’Connor allegedly was once heard to say: “Such heat doth parch a man and a parched man is a barren man – Beer is the only cure – us lads could put away gallons in a day”.

Great Bar Menu

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Waxy O’Connor’s has an amazing bar menu, even Waxy himself would lick his fingers after tasting.

Big plates for friend groups, such as ‘Waxy’s Fry’ (Cumberland sausage, bacon, black pudding, white pudding, potato scone, tomato, mushroom, baked beans, poached egg and toast & butter), small plates, sharers and burgers & sides are all on the menu, ready to satisfy your tastebuds.

Sunday roasts and buffet menu, including bruschetta, wraps, waffle fries and croquettes are also available.

The pub is specialised in Irish whiskey, craft beers and the best Guinness in London.

The Best Place to Celebrate St. Patric’s Day or Watch Sport

Photo: Urban Adventurer

What could be a better spot to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in London than the capital’s biggest Irish pub? It has the perfect atmosphere, the friendliest bartenders and the best people to meet and make new friendships with.

Waxy O’Connor’s is also a go-to spot for sport lovers.

There are eight big screens for major sporting events, so no matter where you’re at within the pub, you won’t miss the best moments.

Plus, there’s live music seven nights a week.

If you’re looking for a truly unique pub in London, Waxy O’Connor’s is definitely a must-visit. Book for drinks, dinner or simply walk in.

Practical Info

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Address

Waxy O’Connor’s | 14-16 Rupert St, London W1D 6DD

Opening Times

Mon & Tue: 3pm – 12am

Wed – Sat: 12pm – 12am

Sun: 12pm – 11pm

Ready for your next adventure? Love themed bars? Famous London bar, Bunga Bunga has re-opened after a complete makeover. Its new name is Bunga 90 and it’s a multi-sensory celebration of the 1990s. Expect cocktails served in a Nokia 3310 or a Britney Spears head, bathroom rave, a giant cocktail claw machine, a PEPSI time machine and free-to-play retro arcade games.

April 13 2023

Dirty Dicks Pub – The Poignant History Behind the Cheeky Pub Name

Urban Adventurer Experience on the go, Historical Places, Historical Pubs Best Pubs in London, Dirty Dick Pub, Dirty Dick Pub London, Historical Pubs, London Pubs, Pubs, Pubs London 0

If you ever wandered around Bishopgate, you have probably spotted and giggled at the scarlet electric letters, spelling ‘Dirty Dicks’. I’m pretty sure you’ve wondered where the name comes from.

Well, there is a sad story behind the funny name.

@urbanadventurerldn

Did you know the sad story behind this pub? 🥺 #historicalpub #londonpubs #londonpub #bishopgate #liverpoolstreetstation #pubslondon #historicalplaces #londonhistoryspots #urbanadventures #londonadventures #londonblogger #sadstory🥀😥 #tragicstory #tragiclovestory #lovestory❤️

♬ A Thousand Years – Christina Perri

The Tragic Story of Dirty Dick

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Dirty Dick’s real name was Richard Bentley, or some say Nathaniel Bentley. Bentley was a successful and prosperous city merchant who owned a warehouse and a hardware shop in Leadenhall Street. The young Bentley was known for taking close attention to his look and appearance and was pretty popular among the ladies. He even earned the nickname: “the beau of Leadenhall Street”.

Everything changed, however, on Nathaniel’s wedding day. In the morning of his wedding, he received the most terrible news imaginable: his fiancée died. Bentley broke apart.

His emotional breakdown went so deep that he never again took off his morning suit and refused clean anything, including himself.

He locked the reception room and didn’t allow anyone, including the landlord, to enter or to clean warehouse and he never again cleaned any part of himself either.

The myth says he let the wedding table untouched for decades, leaving everything on the table to rot and acquire dust forever.

The dirt accumulated over the years, cobweb covered everything, and rats and cats died on the floor, but Nathaniel still refused to let anybody in and clean. The warehouse turned into a dirty den and even letters were addressed to “The Dirty Warehouse London”.

Nathaniel Bentley and his warehouse became a tourist attraction, and he got the nickname ‘Dirty Dick’.

Dirty Dick Inspired Charles Dickens

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Despite of his astonishing transformation from “the beau of Leadenhall Street” to Dirty Dick, Nathaniel remained a polite and well-mannered man.

Charles Dickens was fascinated by Nathaniel’s story, and it is widely believed that Dirty Dick inspired the character of Miss Havisham in Great Expectations.

Dickens regularly published in “Household Words” at that time and in 1852 he wrote a note to the printer of his weekly publications, saying: “Don’t leave out the Dirty Old Man, he is capital.”

The Pub

Photo: Urban Adventurer

Dirty Dick stopped trading in 1804 and died in 1809. Following his death, the warehouse was demolished.

The Old Jerusalem Pub – that was once owned by Nathaniel himself – was still standing and operating not far from the warehouse. The owners renamed it Dirty Dick’s and filled it with cobwebs and mummified animals they had got from the warehouse and recreated the look Dirty Dick’s warehouse to commemorate the local legend.

Today, of course, Dirty Dicks is clean and tidy, serving delicious food and drink and is among the most famous pubs in London.

Make sure you drop in next time you’re around Bishopgate and raise a glass to Nathaniel Bentley alias Dirty Dick who inspired Charles Dickens.

Ready for your next adventure? If you love historical pubs, you’ll definitely want to visit The Sherlock Holmes Pub that holds another piece of London’s history.