The Grade II listed, four-storey pub which has housed The Old Red Lion Theatre since 1979 is up for sale.
The Theatre has made its mark on the theatre scene with a number of productions including the West End transfers of The Importance of Being Earnest which moved to Theatre Royal Haymarket and the Olivier Award winning The Play That Goes Wrong which went to the Duchess Theatre and continues to run also on tour.
The building however had started to acquire literary credentials before the arrival of the theatre with Thomas Paine penning parts of The Rights of Man whilst sitting in the pub's forecourt.
The Old Red Lion is offered for sale by Christie & Co whose William Langton said, “The Old Red Lion presents a truly unique opportunity in what is a very active Central London pub market. The Theatre is extremely well known throughout the industry and I am sure it will present a very exciting option to publicans and theatre enthusiasts alike.
“From Samuel Johnson, to Jude Law, from William Hogarth to John Hurt, the Old Red Lion has certainly proved the test of time, attracting a wealth of talent, names and faces for over 600 years. A new owner will be able to continue these traditions through a thriving business and clientele from both the local and tourist trade.”