A hidden gem in Bloomsbury has finally been recognised. The North London Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has awarded The Duke in Roger Street Bloomsbury, the Winter Pub of the Season Award choosing it from hundreds of real ale pubs in the Branch area.

The Duke - POTS Winter 2025 - Colin Coyne with Bill and Maddie

Colin Coyne, Chair of North London CAMRA, said “Concealed down a back street, this pub is often overlooked but it’s a real gem. We are absolutely delighted to be making this award to the Duke for its beer and friendly ambience. This is in recognition to the great strides that Bill, Maddie and their team, have made in the quality of their beer since they took over in 2023”.

Colin added, “The Duke is a pub that takes everyone by surprise. It’s Grade II listed and an amazing example of an Art Deco interior that dates from 1938. It‘s a real rarity, showing what many inter-war pubs would have looked like. It’s worth popping into the pub, not just for the beer but to see the interior with the original private booths in the back bar, which are duplicated in the main bar with a fine selection of mirrors ”.

Bill from the Duke said he was delighted to receive this award and thanked CAMRA for their support in helping raising the profile of the pub. Running pubs is in Bill’s blood. His father is the landlord of the Old Red Lion on High Holborn.

For further details contact: Colin Coyne (CAMRA), ku.gro.armac.nodnolhtron@namriahc. Duke 020 7242 7230

Extra facts

• CAMRA is the Campaign for Real Ale and is a volunteer membership organisation with over 200 volunteer branches across the UK and over 140,000 members.
• CAMRA nationally was formed in 1971. It exists to promote good beer, protect pubs and defend consumer rights.
• The North London branch of CAMRA covers most of the North London postcodes plus WC1 and parts of WC2, and has almost 700 pubs in it.
• The full address of the Duke is 7 Roger Street, Bloomsbury, WC1N 2PB
• Opening hours are currently noon to 11pm Monday- Saturday; closed Sunday
• For more details of the pub’s historic interior can be found at: https://camra.org.uk/pubs/duke-london-125483