The Cross Keys — Restaurant in London

🚇 Stamford Brook 🍺 £7.10 Cruzcampo

Nestled in the St Peter’s Square area of Hammersmith, you’ll find The Cross Keys pub. The nearest Tube station is Stamford Brook on the District Line.

The pub opened in 1828 and got its name — ‘The Cross Keys’ — from the crossed keys symbol of St Peter, since it’s just up the road from St Peter’s Church on Black Lion Lane.

Back in 1973, @islandrecordsuk moved its London HQ — including the legendary ‘Fallout Shelter’ basement studio where Bob Marley & The Wailers recorded tracks for Exodus — to 22 St Peter’s Square, just around the corner from the pub. Being the closest spot for a pint, The Cross Keys quickly became the go-to hangout for Island staff and the artists recording there. Tv presenter and now publican @jamesmaybloke was also a regular here.

This cozy, one-bar pub has classic English charm. The front bar features lovely woodwork and tiled details, with a dartboard and trophy shelf off to the side. It’s a bit snug around the bar, but opens up into a seating area with glazed partitions and a vaulted ceiling. There’s a mix of traditional furniture, dark wood panelling, artwork, mirrors — and even a couple of boxing stoats. Out back, there’s a sectioned beer garden and a converted outbuilding that serves as a function room.

This Fuller’s pub has a good selection of beers, including two cask ales—one of which was Dark Star Hophead. I kept it simple and went for a Cruzcampo; my pint was great, though the price was a bit punchy. The food options are a mix of Thai dishes and pub classics, with Sunday roasts available too.

I arrived just after 11am on a blazing hot Saturday in June. The pub had just opened and was nice and quiet, with only a couple of early punters around. The atmosphere was chilled—Graceland by Paul Simon was playing and the England v India Test was on the projector. The service was spot-on, even the pub cat came to say hello.

History, architecture, local folklore, celebrity punters, and traditional pub surroundings all come together to make this a first-class spot for a pint. What a cracking pub, definitely one for the list.

📅 21st June 2025

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I had my daughters confirmation party here less then a month ago. Leading up to the event the manager was very helpful and on hand to help with any questions I had. The day before the my the pub had a different large event on. When my mum and sister arrived at the agreed time on the day to prepare for my party there wasn’t anyone there to open up, apart from a cleaner who let them in and then left them there as she had “finished”. We had use of the back barn and the right hand seating area. None of the ash trays had been emptied and the barn absolutely stank. Within 20 minutes one of the 2 lovely bar staff for the day turns up. She helped out as much as possible but there was NO sign of the manager on the day at all. Considering you have a large event going on I would expect him to be seen. The food that I had PRE ORDERED…. was not brought out and when questioned the bar staff just said this is what the manager had written. In fairness to both ladies they were completely rushed off their feet, they did an amazing job and I felt really sorry for them. I did send an email outlining everything to the manager but not even an apology or any kind of acknowledgment. It’s straight up rude. I had pre paid and have definitely learned my lesson not to ever do this in the future, or to ever use this pub again!!! He is clearly extremely rude and only out for what money he can get! RUDE RUDE RUDE and I feel extremely sorry for his overworked and...

£20 deposit for a EURO Semi-final table in the garden. Seemed reasonable. Went with the waitress to choose a table. Wish i had turned up to book a table, during another live sports event. Would have known then that this pubs beer garden has no capacity to provide the full experience of live sport. You can "watch" the games here, but you cant hear them at all. There is no setup for sound whatsoever. An outdoor seating area full of people, with a tv using its built-in speaker?? And a second tv in "a sound-proofed door"... "False advertisement is untrue or misleading information given to you to get you to buy something" - You are selling tables for live sport, without the context that you cant actually hear it. The sad part of this is that the manager on shift was incredibly flippant with us. No willingness to try and accommodate us elsewhere. A real "I don't care" attitude from the manager. He refused to see that we had quite clearly been sold a lie with this booking. Hiding behind "COVID regulations" as a blanket statement to excuse a lack of service. Be honest with your bookings, tell them you have no sound for live sport because of neighbouring gardens. Don't pretend like its reasonable. Its false advertising. Shame really, nice pub...