Owner Barry Tate’s British pub empire began in Addison and has since spread all the way to Frisco. The Uptown location is, however, his most appropriate setting: a frame house in the State-Thomas district with a lazy patio and an upper-level terrace, full of dartboards and monitors tuned to FOX Soccer Channel, ripe with Guinness and Bass.

The Londoner stakes its rep on English pub authenticity. Thus, it boasts a vast array of imported European beers to season the dark wooden trimmings. On our visits the food has struck a realistic—if eclectic—note, too. Beyond fish and chips, the menu included standard UK pub fare reeking of Indian spices. Unfortunately, at our last visit Tate was in the process of changing things over to include wings and other college town grub. It seems the residents of Uptown praise authenticity only in spirit. They revel more in atmosphere—and it is a good place for a pint.

The Frisco iteration booms in summer, thanks in part to location. Propped next to Pizza Hut Park, it serves as a gathering place for soccer fans (FC Dallas) and concert-goers. The vibe is less faux-London and more naturally suburban, but it works.