From Love Actually to Slow Horses and every genre in between, London has had its fair share of time on the silver screen. But the capital's connection to the spotlight doesn't stop at its filming locations. Some of the famous faces you see on the screen have made a name for themselves within the city's pub and bar scene. In fact, there are plenty of celebrity-owned pubs and bars in London with a famous name attached to it, including fancy wine bars and neighbourhood locals alike.
While celebrity restaurants often grab the headlines, Hollywood actors, chart-topping musicians, and a handful of other famous faces have invested in the city's boozers. So, if you ever fancied sharing a pint in a pub owned by an A-lister, here's where to go.
9 Celebrity-Owned Pubs And Bars In London
1. Porte Noire
- Celebrity owner: Idris Elba
- Location: Gasholder 10, A, 1 Lewis Cubitt Walk, King's Cross, N1C 4BX
You might know Idris Elba from Luther and The Wire, but the actor has another passion besides acting: wine. He teamed up with French wine expert David Farber to open Porte Noire, a stylish King's Cross wine bar with a carefully curated wine list and a menu of food to go with it. It's the perfect spot for a glass of something special and to linger a little longer than expected.
Step inside Idris Elba's chic wine bar, where every detail has been thoughtfully crafted.
2. The Fox And Pheasant
- Celebrity owner: James Blunt
- Location: 1 Billing Road, Chelsea, SW10 9UJ
Singer James Blunt is behind this cosy Chelsea pub, which has been serving pints since 1846. Once known as the Bedford Arms, The Fox and Pheasant is now a proper neighbourhood boozer with fireplaces for winter, a retractable conservatory roof for sunny days, and a menu packed with hearty pub grub.
This little pub in the heart of London feels like a country escape.
3. The Grapes
- Celebrity owner: Sir Ian McKellen
- Location: 76 Narrow Street, Limehouse, E14 8BP
You shall not pass… up the opportunity for a pint with Gandalf. The Lord of the Rings star Ian McKellen is the owner of The Grapes, a 500-year-old riverside pub with plenty of literary history. Charles Dickens was a regular, and the cosy Victorian interior includes a snug named after the author himself. Once here, you can order some fish and chips at the bar or head out to the terrace, where you can enjoy a drink overlooking the Thames.
The Grapes maintains its classic no-frills design.
4. Bertie Blossoms
- Celebrity owner: Ed Sheeran
- Location: 323 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, W10 5SY
Ed Sheeran has added restaurateur to his CV with Bertie Blossoms, a Notting Hill bar serving up tapas with a twist. Inside, you can expect a mix of Spanish-inspired small plates, British comfort food, and flavours from around the world, alongside cocktails and Champagne for a special occasion. Grab a few dishes to share with your pals, or snag the little table and chairs outside and watch the world go by.
Ed Sheeran steps behind the bar at his pub.
5. Mikkeller Bar
- Celebrity owner: Rick Astley
- Location: 2-4 Hackney Road, Shoreditch, E2 7NS and 37-39 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QL
With a name like Rick Astley’s attached, you know the pints are never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down. Mikkeller Bar is a craft beer brand with locations in Shoreditch and Islington. It’s a cool, laid-back spot with loads of beers to choose from, including some more unusual flavours like passion fruit, cherry, chilli, and chocolate.
Mikkeller Bar is a must-visit for beer enthusiasts.
6. The Wealthy Beggar
- Celebrity owner: Lucien Laviscount
- Location: 109 Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Rise, NW10 3NS
Actor Lucien Laviscount, who plays Alfie from Emily in Paris, co-owns The Wealthy Beggar, a self-described "five-star dive bar" in north London. The intimate spot pairs speakeasy-style interiors with cocktails and Pan-Asian small plates, including wagyu tartare with truffle miso and spiced lamb with honey and ponzu (the former head chef of Nobu is behind the menu, so you know it’s good). Despite the description, it’s a little more dressed up than your average dive bar, but still a good place to settle in for drinks and a bite.
This watering hole describes itself as a five-star dive bar.
7. Lore Of The Land
- Celebrity owner: Guy Ritchie
- Location: 4 Conway Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 6BB
Guy Ritchie is behind Lore of the Land, a traditional British pub in Fitzrovia spread across three floors. You’ll find craft beers and a classic pub atmosphere downstairs, with a restaurant upstairs serving modern British dishes cooked over charcoal and flame. The Sunday dinners are a highlight, so you know where to head when you’re craving a proper roast.
Elevated fare meets a classic British charm at Guy Ritchie's pub.
8. The Carpenter's Arms
- Celebrity owner: James Blunt
- Location: 91 Black Lion Lane, Hammersmith, W6 9BG
James Blunt has added another London pub to his collection with the Carpenter’s Arms in Hammersmith. After a revamp, this This 19th-century local features a refurbished bar, private dining room, and garden, with Blunt working alongside the team behind his Chelsea pub, the Fox and Pheasant.
This lovely little spot is a neighbourhood classic.
9. The Horseshoe
- Celebrity owner: Daniel Craig
- Location: 24 Clerkenwell Close, Clerkenwell, EC1R 0AG
Shaken or stirred? Daniel Craig now co-owns this 250-year-old pub in Clerkenwell. A local favourite for its traditional feel, darts, and beer garden, The Horseshoe is getting a Hollywood makeover, with plans for an upstairs restaurant and a bigger garden. The aim is to keep its classic boozer charm, and will reopen in late 2027.
The Horseshoe is
preparing for a new chapter with its new celebrity
owner.
FAQS
Which celebrities own pubs in London?
Several famous names run London pubs and bars. Idris Elba co-owns Porte Noire, James Blunt owns The Fox and Pheasant and The Carpenter's Arms, and Sir Ian McKellen owns The Grapes. Ed Sheeran owns Bertie Blossoms, Rick Astley co-owns Mikkeller Bar, Lucien Laviscount co-owns The Wealthy Beggar, Guy Ritchie owns Lore of the Land, and Daniel Craig co-owns The Horseshoe.
Where are celebrity-owned pubs in London?
Venues are spread across the city, including Bertie Blossoms on Portobello Road in Notting Hill, Porte Noire in King's Cross, The Grapes in Limehouse, and The Wealthy Beggar in Kensal Rise. Others include Lore of the Land in Fitzrovia, The Carpenter's Arms in Hammersmith, The Horseshoe in Clerkenwell, The Fox and Pheasant in west London, and Mikkeller Bar in Shoreditch and Islington.
Will I see the celebrity owner at their pub?
Not necessarily. Owning a venue does not mean the owner is there on a given night, so check the venue's website or social channels before you visit.
Which celebrity-owned pubs in London are reopening soon?
The Horseshoe in Clerkenwell is getting a makeover with plans for an upstairs restaurant and a bigger garden, with reopening expected in late 2027. The Carpenter's Arms in Hammersmith has had a refurbished bar, private dining room and garden, and is expected to be a neighbourhood classic when it reopens.
