Food - News
The 400-Year-Old Pub You Didn't Know Ian McKellen Owned
By RACHAEL GROW
Sir Ian McKellen, known for his iconic role as Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings", owns The Grapes — one of London's oldest bars situated right on the Thames River. The pub has been a beloved spot for locals since 1720, and McKellen isn’t the only famous name to be associated with the centuries-old establishment.
From the pub's heated balcony overlooking the Thames, you’ll see the very spot where Sir Walter Raleigh sailed away to the New World for the third time. If you'd rather sip on a piping hot cup of tea inside, head to the bar's back halls to discover a small library dedicated to Charles Dickens, who once wrote about the pub.
McKellen has owned The Grapes since 2011, and its oil paintings, library, wood paneling, and wine-colored walls might make one feel like they've stepped into a Victorian novel. Make sure to take a peek behind the counter to spot the staff McKellen used on set as Gandalf before you leave this Tolkien lover’s dream pub.