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All the United Kingdom England London Yeoman Warders Club
Gastro Obscura

Yeoman Warders Club

There's an exclusive Beefeaters pub hidden in the Tower of London.

London, England

Added By
Meg Neal
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Yeoman Warders Club.   Matt Brown
The entrance.   Jules
Outside of the pub.   Jules
The bar   Jules
Replica axe for scaffold on the wall.   Jules
Inside The Keys pub.   Jules
Beer taps.   Jules
Beefeater gin.   Jules
Goblets   Jules
Yeoman Warders formal Tudor state dress uniform.   Jules
Yeoman Warders casual “undress” uniform.   Jules
Tile showing crossed keys   Jules
Yeoman Warders Club.   Matt Brown
Outer walls   Jules
  Snowdrop68 / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
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About

When the tourist masses leave at 6 p.m. each evening, and the 700-year-old “Ceremony of Keys” ritual locks up the complex for the night, the Tower of London becomes a very different place. After hours, it belongs to the few dozen families that live within the castle, and the iconically outfitted Yeoman guards head to the private pub that's tucked in the fortress wall.

The super-exclusive Yeoman Warders Club is only open to the 37 members (and their guests) of the Yeomen Warder of Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, and Member of the Sovereign's Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary. Or as they are (mercifully) more commonly known, Beefeaters. 

The Beefeaters have guarded the Tower of London since 1485, ever since King Henry VII, the first Tudor king. Their ridiculously elaborate red and gold Tudor state dress outfits have changed little since then, but their duties have changed substantially. Originally they were charged with guarding the Tower prisoners and protecting the Crown Jewels; today, they serve more as tourist guides and the subject of countless photos.

There used to be many bars within the Tower walls, but only this one remains. It's now called The Keys, though the original name is still displayed on the wooden door. The pub is 150 years old and about the size of a tennis court. Inside, it’s decorated with red leather benches and grim paraphernalia from the Tower’s past. The Yeoman Gaoler’s axe hangs on the wall above a plaque that used to mark the execution site, and the signature of a Nazi officer that was briefly imprisoned at the Tower is encased and on display.

Beefeaters take turns working the bar, which serves locally brewed “Yeoman 1485” and “Beefeater Bitter” on tap, plus, of course, plenty of Beefeater gin. There’s a row of silver tankards lining one wall that are used in the swearing-in ritual for new recruits. The new members drink port from the tankards and the guards utter a long-held superstitious toast: "May you never die a Yeoman warder."

Related Tags

Bars Beer History Secret Towers Clubs

Know Before You Go

The pub is private and off limits unless you are invited by a member of the Yeoman Warders. It has been open to the public only once a year, during the London Open House weekend.

Community Contributors

Added By

Meg

Edited By

Martin, SEANETTA, Snowdrop68

  • Martin
  • SEANETTA
  • Snowdrop68

Published

March 5, 2018

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Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20151023-the-secret-life-of-beefeaters
  • https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-beefeaters/after-hours-drinking-hole-a-haven-for-tower-of-londons-beefeaters-idUSKBN1AC1B3
  • https://londonist.com/london/the-keys
Yeoman Warders Club
St Katharine's & Wapping
London, England
United Kingdom
51.5073, -0.0754
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