William IV — Restaurant in London

🚇 Old Street 🍺 £6.65 Guinness

The Williams IV is situated at the end of a Georgian terrace, close to Wenlock Basin in the backstreets of Hoxton. The nearest Tube is Old Street, it’s a ten minute walk to get here.

This pub was built in 1838 by the Wenlock Brewery, it later came under the stewardship of Charringtons. This pub has had a number of challenges over the years with several periods of closure. The pub reopened in August 2023 and I’m glad to say it is now on a firm footing.

This is a traditional boozer that is set out over two floors. The main bar on the ground floor is bright and airy, has a bare boarded floor and rustic tables and chairs. The servery is unique due to its size and is three sided nature, it also has a low level island back bar. Around the walls are a collection of eclectic artworks and an old Guinness mirror. Upstairs are a further two rooms which are good for dining or a quiet pint away from the main bar.

The beer selection was excellent and included a choice of bonafide continental lagers, a range of craft beers and a couple of cask ales for good measure. I decided on a pint of Guinness, my pint was great, price point was a little high. The food menu included elevated pub classics, a tasty assortment of snacks and fresh oysters. A Cheeseburger, Guinness onions and chips cost £15.

I arrived just after 3pm on an overcast Saturday afternoon in March. The pub was fairly busy with a mix of locals and visitors to the area. There was a warm and laidback atmosphere which made settling in very easy. The service was top-notch, the team here are friendly and welcoming.

The @william_iv_pub is a superb backstreet Hoxton local. This pub offers a great choice of beers and food, a traditional pub ambiance and has a friendly local pub feel. This was my second visit to this pub, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed both visits.

ℹ️ Info correct on...

William IV is a nearly 200-year-old pub that’s been lovingly restored — and while the setting is full of charm, the experience leans more casual than culinary. Downstairs, it feels like a typical backstreet boozer: relaxed, slightly shabby-chic, and good for a pint with friends. Upstairs, the candlelit dining room adds a touch of Regency-era elegance, but the food doesn’t always match the mood.

The menu promises British classics with flair — Guinness-glazed short rib, chickpea panisse, and soda bread with Marmite butter — but reviews suggest the execution can be hit or miss. The Guinness is well-poured, and the wine list surprisingly refined for a pub. Service is friendly, and the vibe is laid-back, though some dishes feel better on paper than on the plate.

Highlights

Historic pub with a stylish upstairs dining room Good drinks list, especially for wine lovers Food can be uneven — better for snacks and drinks than full meals Soundtrack and ambiance add charm, especially in the evening

Final Thought William IV is best enjoyed as a pub first, restaurant second. If you’re after a casual drink in a characterful setting, it delivers. For dining, expectations should be modest — or saved for a quieter...

Came here recently for a Sunday roast with friends - I'm not a huge fan of pub roasts to begin with as i feel like you could cook better at home usually, however this is probably my favourite pub roast in London. Menu has some interesting starter and snack options, then there are daily specials and other dishes in case you didn't want a roast. We tried the burrata, anchovies on toast and whipped cods roe - all of these were very nicely done. Then I had the porchetta roast, and overall this was very good - meat was the star of the show, roast potatoes were crispy and decent, but lacking in seasoning (no salt and pepper on table either, although we didn't ask for this), definitely the best yorkshire pudding i've ever had, leeks were very nice, parsnips ok but managed to be flaccid and tough at the same time, carrot maybe a little soft but tasty, solid gravy. Would have had the lemon tart on the dessert menu if i had enough room left! Service was really good too, didn't try any of the wines but the wine list looked decent. One down side on atmosphere is that the music in the dining room was a fair bit too loud, and the song choices here were a bit out of place and random. Will be...