A Sober Night Out in London’s West End: My Alcohol-Free Pub Crawl Adventure

So far in my adventures into the world of no- and low-alcohol drinking, most of my reviews have focused on beers enjoyed at home a nice level playing field for comparisons. I’ve also tried a few local pubs and even made it through an Oasis concert on Corona Zero (a story for another time!).

But I hadn’t yet tested how a proper night out in London’s West End would go while sticking to alcohol-free options. So, one Friday evening, I decided to give it a shot — and here’s how it went.

6PM:  Mr Fogg’s 

We kicked off the night at Mr Fogg’s, a bar themed around the fictional adventurer Phileas Fogg from Around the World in 80 Days.

I was pleased to find Lucky Saint on tap one of my favourites, and a beer I’ve previously reviewed. It tasted even better fresh from the tap than from the can, crisp and full-bodied. A great start to the evening!

We stayed for a couple of rounds while waiting for a few latecomers to arrive. Great pub, great beer.

7:30pm:  Maharaja of India

Dinner was booked at Maharaja of India on Charing Cross Road. It was packed when we arrived, and despite having a reservation, it felt like they’d forgotten to save our table. 

Luckily, we didn’t have to wait long about ten minutes though the table they squeezed us into was a tight fit.

While my friends ordered large Cobras, I took a gamble on the mysterious “Alcohol-Free Beer” listed on the menu with no brand name. 

Thankfully, it turned out to be Erdinger Alkoholfrei a refreshing wheat beer I’d never tried before. It came in a big bottle too, so no size envy there!

The food was tasty, and the Erdinger paired nicely with the curry.

9:30pm: Garrick Arms 

Right across the street, we spotted The Garrick Arms and decided to pop in. It was a classic London pub fairly quiet at first but filling up as the night went on.

At the bar, I was happy to see Estrella Galicia 0.0 on tap. Another win! Like the Lucky Saint earlier, it was crisp, refreshing, and a perfect follow-up to a heavy meal.

10:30PM:  The Moon under Water

For our final stop, we braved The Moon Under Water in Leicester Square not my usual haunt, but the group was keen.

Despite the sea of beer taps behind the bar, there wasn’t a single alcohol-free option on draught. The barman confirmed it, though they did have a few bottled choices. Feeling full, I went light with a Corona Cero, which hit the spot nicely.

By this point, I was the only sober one left, so I called it a night and headed home clear-headed and content.

Verdict

My first alcohol-free pub crawl in the West End was a success. More pubs than I expected had decent options on tap, and even when they didn’t, there was always a bottle available. Prices? Let’s just say it’s the West End best not to talk about it!

Overall, it was proof that you can still have a proper night out in London — great venues, good company, and no hangover required.