Location embodies owner's English roots

Colleyville's location of The Londoner Pub & Grill channels the look, feel, drinks and food of what a patron might expect to find across the pond.

"This place is fun, it's laid back, it's dark, it's dim, it's got that comfy factor," General Manager Greg Hampton said. "It's like a man cave for everybody—the women enjoy it more than the men, almost."

The restaurant, which opened in August, is part of a small chain of Dallas-area pubs owned by Barry Tate. Hampton said the owner is originally from England but has lived in the Dallas area for more than 30 years.

The homage to the British pub is seen in the dark-stained wood tables, low ceiling beams, wall decor and the eclectic mix of chairs, bar stools and couches—all of which were hand-picked by Tate, many from antique malls.

"That's how they do it in England in those 400-year-old buildings," Hampton said. "You go into London and you go into a pub and everything's dark, everything is mismatched—you don't have the same chair twice."

Hampton said Londoner pubs are known as popular hangouts for soccer fans, and although Hampton said the Colleyville pub is still working to build its base of soccer followers, the sport is still "huge."

"Unless it's the NBA playoffs or the first game of the year for the Rangers, we're not turning the channel. If soccer's on, soccer's on."

The restaurant plans to be open for every televised game of the FIFA World Cup scheduled for June 12–July 13, no matter what time a game is on.

To go along with its English decor and sports is the fresh, never-frozen food, which includes fish and chips ($13), shepherd's pie ($12) and Bangers and Mash ($10).

Beer, scotch and wine

The pub has about 60 craft beers on the menu and 24 of those are on tap.

"The only domestic draft I have on tap is Miller Lite, and that's the way it's going to stay," General Manager Greg Hampton said. "The only reason I have Miller Lite on tap is for my fish and chip batter."

Hampton touts the extensive scotch collection—shots range from $6 to $40—and the pub has about 20 white wines and 20 red wines on hand.

The Londoner Pub & Grill

5150 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville, 817-581-3577, www.londonercville.com

Hours: Sun.–Thu. 11 a.m.–midnight, Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–2 a.m.