The London Bus Pub

Trivia on Wednesday.  8pm.  Wings super delish!  The owners and bar staff are great people.

Been driving by this place for years and found that some folks from another restaurant took it over and some friends (locals) said it was a great find for a local place.    Greta beers on draft (even Guinness ) and wine.   Awesome burger, very good fish & chips, "Great" french fries and a shepherds pie that will fill you up.  Everyone loves the chili...but they always run out B/4 we get there!!!   Clean and friendly staff & owners.  There is occasional music, a juke box & a few video games.    A real neighborhood location for cold beer & good food.   Just don't tell too many people about it!

Numerous times I've driven past the London Bus pub on Seminole Blvd and have always been a little intrigued by it. The bar has been around for as long as I can remember and I've had this curiosity of what what lies behind its kitschy exterior.

You see the London Bus is probably one of Seminole's few roadside visual landmarks. Among an endless stream of copycat strip malls and convenience stores this place sports a facade made up of faux red double-decker bus sculpture which looks as if it is driving through the corner of the building. The bar's sign is done in a 1960's mod-esque script and features a crazy looking statue of a British gentlemen with a monocle. It looks like Clockwork Orange meets Austin Powers.  It definitely stands out, and the weather and years has given everything a distressed worn in look. So this weekend I finally got a chance to step inside and see what was going on behind the campy exterior.

So what did I discover on the other side of their red door? The place fits your notion of what a British Pub should looks like. It is dark inside, features a lot of wood paneling, and has plenty of British nick-nacks adoring the walls. The front of the place features the main bar area and stools plus some tables, and then around back is a larger room which features darts and a buffet area. It was Sunday they had a beef roast available, it looks like they offer British staples and comfort food through out the week, but as numerous signs posted around the establishment state their food accounts for less than 10% of their sales so they do allow smoking.  The years of smoking has certainly given everything a very yellowed appearance and the place reaks of cigarettes. My shirt actually stuck to my chair at one point and a yellowy (nicotine and tar?) stain was left on it. So do keep that in mind if you are allergic to smoke. I guess it lends an extra degree of divey authenticity to the place, but personally I could do without smoking at all bars. The ceiling tiles are made up of severely yellowed but cool British newspaper headlines and stories.

But enough about all of that, lets talk beer! Outside they feature a lit up Boddingtons sign and they do offer that on tap so I was excited already excited. They also have Old Speckled Hen on draught which was an added bonus/surprise. Both beers were delicious and are favorites of mine so that was good. The have an Harpoon Cider (American) on tap to make snake bites and sell Guinness too. I think the other British beers may have been Newcastle and Harp/Bass but I don't remember 100%. The service at the bar was friendly and speedy too.

So besides the topics I have already touched on there is one glaring  omission that is kind of a deal breaker. I'll try to put it out there as sensitively as possible but it appears that the crowd here heavily leans toward the gray haired population of Florida. Specifically, older vets, since it's near VFW and American Legion posts and Bay Pines VA Hospital.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, and I am glad that there is a hang out spot for those older folks who has served our country, but I really felt out of place there and a lot  like a cultural-sociological tourist.  To put it in other words it felt like you were crashing your grandparents drinking party, and being a a younger person I think its probably not the right atmosphere. Let's face it this is Florida and with so many folks retiring here they need a place to drink at too! With all that being said I think its a great place for its intended audience, and I am happy I finally satisfied my curiosity and gave it a try. The London Bus is definitely unique and has some good British beers on tap. With that being said, maybe in 30-40 years time will have caught up with me, and if I find myself living back in Florida ( please I hope not!! ) the London Bus will be my perfect double-decker hang out.