“And so I watch as you walk into some bar called The Black Dog”
As you can imagine, the day Taylor Swift’s new The Tortured Poets Department album dropped and people realized The Black Dog Pub wasn’t just the name of a song, but an actual pub in London, it got incredibly popular.
So of course when I was traveling London solo last month, I had to go there for dinner. If you’re curious what it’s really like inside the pub Joe Alwyn had drinks in once while Taylor watched from location sharing (we’ve all done it), keep reading.
The Black Dog Pub is a short walk from the Vauxhall station (which is about a 20 minute walk from Westminster Abbey and the London Eye). I took the underground over and arrived at round 4:45pm to see there was already a line forming.
I can recognize a fellow Swiftie from afar: usually female presenting, in a cute outfit, helping each other take photos and probably wearing a friendship bracelet or to. There was a group outside taking selfies with the lyric sign the pub put up.
“And so I watch as you walk into some bar called The Black Dog”
Inside was packed full of more Swifties, but also locals who had considered this their quiet neighborhood pub hang until a few months ago. It was not quiet anymore, with servers rushing about taking orders and delivering plates.
For an English pub, it felt pretty standard. Wood interiors, cozy chairs and tables, a back patio for summer weather. They serve up mostly beer, but also offer cocktails and wines. I read somewhere online that they made a Taylor Swift menu but I didn’t see it available anymore.
I grabbed an ale and hunkered down at my table, deciding that fish and chips would hit the spot. When it arrived, I did a double take: the fish was bigger than my head, easily the largest serving of fish with chips I’ve ever had.
And it was dang tasty. I had already walked about 8 miles that day sight seeing around London and I was starving. I’ve had a lot of fish and chips all over the world and this easily ranks in the top 10.
They have a robust menu with burgers, tapas, steaks and desserts. Every Sunday they also serve up a classic Sunday Roast, which earns them tons of great customer reviews online.
Normally I like to hang in pubs and people watch but I felt bad for everyone else waiting for a table so after the one beer and dinner, I grabbed my bill to head out.
As I was leaving I snapped a bunch of photos of the outside and noticed other women doing so as well, including a woman who was also all alone. She was American too and we helped each other take photos and chat a bit before parting ways.
That’s what I love about Swifties: most of us are really kind and cool. Ultimate Girls Girl.
After dinner I took a walk along the Thames past Westminster Abbey and the London Eye before heading back to my Tower of London hotel. You can throw a stone and hit a great pub in London, the city isn’t short on them.
But if you love Taylor Swift, The Black Dog pub is worth a visit.
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