Tucked down a mews in Belgravia, the Grenadier is one of those London pubs that most people walk straight past — and that's exactly part of its charm. A tiny, low-ceilinged spot draped in red, it's stuffed with regimental memorabilia, old banknotes pinned to the ceiling and a history that stretches back to the 18th century.
The building began life in 1720 as an officers' mess for the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, and it takes its name from a Grenadier who, according to legend, was beaten to death by comrades after cheating at a card game. Regulars and staff have long attributed the pub's eerie reputation to this soldier: cold spots, footsteps overhead and a general feeling of being watched are all part of the folklore, and the tale has earned it a spot on most lists of London's most haunted pubs.
Even if you're not chasing ghosts, there's plenty to like. The pub sits on Wilton Row, a quiet cobbled mews just off Belgrave Square, a world away from the traffic of Sloane Street a few minutes away. Inside it's cosy and cramped in the best way — candle-style lighting, dark wood, and a menu leaning on hearty British classics, with the Grenadier's beef dishes a particular draw. The ceiling covered in foreign banknotes is a tradition supposedly started by officers settling debts; today visitors add their own notes from around the world.
Because of its size and its reputation, the Grenadier gets busy, especially around Halloween and in the evening. Booking ahead is wise if you want a table for food, and a daytime visit is a good shout if you'd rather actually hear yourself talk.
For travellers, this is the kind of London experience that pairs well with a wander through Belgravia: combine it with a stroll around nearby Hyde Park, a browse around Sloane Street's shops, or a stop at the other pub-heavy streets around Knightsbridge and Pimlico. History buffs will appreciate the genuine military heritage, while ghost hunters can tick off one of the capital's best-known haunted spots in a single pint. It's not a rowdy central London boozer — it's small, atmospheric and a bit theatrical, which is precisely why people keep coming back two centuries on.
