The Rake: Richard Larkin

Dear readers,

Sincere apologies for the tardiness of this latest blog. I have been sunning myself on the Smiling Coast of the Gambia for a week and was not about to spend time in front of a screen when there was glorious African sun to be enjoyed.

This next post concerns a remarkable man that I met many years ago. He was the man who introduced me to surely London's smallest pub, The Rake. Tucked away, almost out of sight, in Borough Market, the Rake is a pub for the real ale connoisseur. Founded by the people behind Utobeer in Borough Market, the Rake has a staggering variety of bottled and draught beer from across the globe and a pleasing selection of chunky pub sandwiches.

The staff are friendly and enormously knowledgeable about the beer they’re serving and, as befits a pub run by a Welshman, the start of March heralds a week long St David’s Day beer festival with the Principality’s finest beers on offer.

The man who introduced me to The Rake is called Richard Larkin and even among the famously friendly ranks of beer lovers he stands apart. A powerful looking man who dominates any pub with his enormous beard Richard is one of the longest-serving members of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and a stalwart of its ranks to this day. He is rarely seen without a batch of London Drinker magazines, ready to hand them out to the initiated and un-initiated alike.

He learnt Dutch simply so that he could better appreciate a beer tour of the Netherlands, he has volunteered at more beer festivals than I will ever attend and has not had a haircut since 1968! Richard has no television, no mobile phone, no internet but he does have a mild-bogglingly enormous array of books and a very mechanical mind. He has had a myriad of jobs, ranging from a long spell in the army with the Signals to a bit of part-time work at Halfords. As he puts it: “Retire early and retire often!”

Richard’s favourite tipple is a Mild Ale, tricky to find in most London pubs but he knows exactly where to look. Should he spot anyone looking puzzled by a pub’s array of ales Richard will not hesitate. Pushing up his glasses and wiping the foam from his moustaches, he will introduce himself and the world of beer to the customer.

Richard Larkin is truly one of the friendliest and gentlest people you could hope to meet in a pub and by his very presence you’ll know you’ve found a good boozer.


The Rake is to be found at 14 Winchester Walk, London.