London, Covent Garden. Established in 1638, located off of Trafalgar Square. Originally known as The Hole in the Wall, it was notorious for its regular criminals, including the highwayman Claude Duval who was captured here while propping up the end of the bar and later hanged at Tyburn Tree. In 1764 it was called Gransby's Head and later renamed the Marquis of Gransby after General John Manners who led the Horse Grenadier Guards during the Seven Years War (1756-1763). The current building dates to 1843 and Charles Dickens drank here during the years he was working to buy his family out of debtors prison. More recently it has been a famous haunt for Oscar winning actors and actresses, Premier League and international footballers, and rock bands, including Led Zeppelin, Oasis, and Green Day. It is rumored to be J.K. Rowling's inspiration for "Diagon Alley", featured in the Harry Potter series. A central bar is surrounded by a small area, and there are small rooms in the front and back (I went one evening during the holidays before a concert at St. Martin in the Fields and couldn't get in the door!) Luckily I want back after the new year and was able to enjoy a Stiff Lip IPA from Porto Bello Brewing (West London) and sat in Dickens Corner.