Apparently this is the oldest pub in Malta, dating back to 1914 and built to accommodate the British soldiers stationed on the island. Not so many soldiers around these days, but the City of London is still a very popular haunt on Ballutta Bay. A lot of bars and pubs in the Sliema area don’t have all that much outside seating, or what they do have is in a fairly unglamorous location. The City bar bucks the trend by having lots of seats overlooking the picturesque bay, which is a pretty good reason to go there. That’s one of the advantages of setting up your pub 50 years before the competition, you get to choose the best spot.
These days the bar is particularly popular with ex-pats (who keep the place ticking over during the winter months) as well as tourists. The pokey inside of the pub is not exactly going to win any design awards although it is pretty homey in it’s own way, but it’s a seat in the sun drinking reasonably priced beers which is the real attraction here.
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You should review City of London bar again as well over 2 years have passed and since then ‘City’ has moved on. There has been some changes but the character of this pub will never change. You mention the word pokey, A better word should be small. Yes the bar is rather small but the terrace outside can accommodate well over 60 people. I do not think there is another bar in Malta with a better location. ‘City’ 100 last August.2014.
It’s true that I haven’t been there for a while, but only because I don’t live in the area any more. Yep I would agree that it’s probably got the best location in Sliema/St Julian’s: good bar.
City of London celebrated 100 years in August 2014 with a grand street party attended by 500 guests. Definitely one of the best pubs on the island with prices well below average.and the best location overlooking Balluta bay. Stop a white taxi and just say City of London bar St. Julian’s.