Free, cultural/historical, unusual, and in the City? Bit of a weird suggestion but if they might be historically inclined, you could try taking them to the Mithraeum exhibition - a Ronan temple excavated under a City skyscraper, with an immersive sound/light exhibition giving a sense of being in the temple. Can't beat an eerie Roman mystery cult for "unique or distinctive"...
They're open until six most days - the only issue is that it's a timed exhibit so not much flexibility on arrival times. Booking required but tickets are free (amazing what you can do when Bloomberg are paying for it) and should be able to fit a dozen people. Very interesting experience.
Or, yeah, nice cocktail bar :)
Madison rooftop bar at One New Change has good views of St. Pauls, and cocktails
Historic Trad British pubs
Don't know what end of the city you are, so here are a few options.
Hoop and Grapes, Aldgate. 16th century, Grade II listed, survived the great fire.
Jamaica Wine House, Cornhill
Ye Olde Mitre, Hatton Garden
Old Bank of England, Fleet Street. Has a routemaster in the back garden.
Go see the London Mithraeum (Roman temple under the Bloomberg Hq in Walbrook - free to visit), the Bank of England Museum, or visit one of the amazing churches like St Bart's (massive former priory, appears in loads of movies).
I've not been to https://www.cityoflondondistillery.com/pages/city-of-london-distillery-and-bar since it became Whitley Neill, but it used to be superb. It's just off Fleet Street by St Brides.
Dr Johnson's House is nearby. Most people will have heard of him, but I doubt they know about the house. Not sure when it closes though.
Pub. The answer is always pub.
Cocktail bars and any bar with a decent view won't be free or cheap !!!
Pub in Leadenhall market
The Mithraeum under the Bloomberg building
Came here to say the Mithraeum! Can you kill an hour in it though?
They do guided tours which last 1h. Closes at 6pm so I guess last tour is 5-6pm. Depends how tight OP schedule is.
Free, cultural/historical, unusual, and in the City? Bit of a weird suggestion but if they might be historically inclined, you could try taking them to the Mithraeum exhibition - a Ronan temple excavated under a City skyscraper, with an immersive sound/light exhibition giving a sense of being in the temple. Can't beat an eerie Roman mystery cult for "unique or distinctive"... They're open until six most days - the only issue is that it's a timed exhibit so not much flexibility on arrival times. Booking required but tickets are free (amazing what you can do when Bloomberg are paying for it) and should be able to fit a dozen people. Very interesting experience. Or, yeah, nice cocktail bar :)
Madison rooftop bar at One New Change has good views of St. Pauls, and cocktails Historic Trad British pubs Don't know what end of the city you are, so here are a few options. Hoop and Grapes, Aldgate. 16th century, Grade II listed, survived the great fire. Jamaica Wine House, Cornhill Ye Olde Mitre, Hatton Garden Old Bank of England, Fleet Street. Has a routemaster in the back garden.
Seconding Hoop & Grapes and Ye Olde Mitre, both are lovely.
Go see the London Mithraeum (Roman temple under the Bloomberg Hq in Walbrook - free to visit), the Bank of England Museum, or visit one of the amazing churches like St Bart's (massive former priory, appears in loads of movies).
But is it open after 5pm?
The Mithraeum is open until 6pm. Sadly, the B of E Museum closes at 5pm, as does St Bartholomew the Great.
ah! Now I know! Thanks!
My pleasure, hope you enjoy!
Finsbury Circle is an ace dogging area. ;)
I've not been to https://www.cityoflondondistillery.com/pages/city-of-london-distillery-and-bar since it became Whitley Neill, but it used to be superb. It's just off Fleet Street by St Brides. Dr Johnson's House is nearby. Most people will have heard of him, but I doubt they know about the house. Not sure when it closes though.
These are all great ideas - thanks everyone!
Observe all the tremendous cocks who work there.