London’s Top 50 Pubs: The Unfiltered Booze‑Lover’s Guide

Welcome, Fellow Tipplers

If you’ve ever scrolled past a “Best Bars in London” list and thought, “Wow, another tourist brochure written by a bloke who thinks a pint is a yoga pose,” you’re not alone. This is the anti‑guide you never asked for but totally needed. We’ve scoured the city’s back‑streets, dive bars, and the occasional swanky gin palace to bring you the best 50 pubs in London—no fluff, just facts, memes, and the occasional snarky side‑note.

Methodology (Because We’re Fancy Like That)

Our ranking algorithm is simple: combine Google reviews, TripAdvisor scores, Instagram hype, and the secret sauce of how many times a bartender can quote “The Office” without breaking character. We also consulted the home page of Strategies.beer for a quick sanity check and made sure the list is contact‑ready for any bar owners who want to brag about their spot.

Bonus: If you’re looking to make your own beer after a night of pub‑hopping, we’ve got you covered. And for those who want a custom brew that screams “I’m the king of Shoreditch,” check out the custom beer service. But first, let’s get into the meat (or rather, the ale).

North London – Where the Hipsters Hide

1. The Spaniard (Camden) – A pint of bitter that tastes like rebellion and a playlist that never stops playing The Strokes. Perfect for pretending you’re in a music video.
2. Camden Assembly – Live music, cheap drinks, and a vibe that says “I’m here for the band, but I’ll stay for the cheap lager.”
3. Holloway’s Old Oak – The kind of place where you’ll overhear a debate about whether the 1970s were actually better than the 2020s.
4. The Flask (Stoke Newington) – Small, cozy, and the kind of spot that makes you feel like you’ve discovered a secret speakeasy that only your cool aunt knows about.
5. Lordship – A gin‑centric bar that also serves a mean IPA. Because why choose one when you can have both?
6. Yorkshire Grey (Islington) – Classic British charm with a modern twist. Their fish‑and‑chips are the only thing that could rival the quality of the beer.
7. The White Lion (Kentish Town) – A historic pub with a modern beer list that makes you wonder why you ever settled for a bland lager.
8. The Prince (Finsbury Park) – Known for its Sunday roasts and a beer selection that could make a sommelier weep.
9. St. John’s Tavern (Harringay) – A no‑frills joint where the beer is as strong as the Wi‑Fi signal.
10. Fox & Hounds (Wood Green) – A dog‑friendly spot where you can sip a stout while your pup judges the crowd.

East London – The Land of Brick‑Walls and Brew‑Walls

11. The Ten Bells (Spitalfields) – A historic haunt that’s survived more revolutions than your average politician.
12. The Old Blue (Bethnal Green) – Known for its craft ales and a jukebox that only plays 90s Brit‑pop hits.
13. The Blind Beggar (Whitechapel) – Rumoured to be the inspiration for the original “Peaky Blinders” vibe. Good beer, even better stories.
14. Princess of Wales (Hackney) – A micro‑brewery that serves its own brews alongside a rotating list of guest taps.
15. The Old Red Lion (Hackney) – A hidden gem with a back‑garden that feels like a secret garden party.
16. The Crown & Shuttle (Shoreditch) – A place where the neon lights are as bright as the beer’s bitterness.
17. The Old Blue (Stratford) – Not to be confused with its Bethnal Green twin, this one has a massive TV for watching football while you down a pint.
18. The White Hart (Bow) – A community‑run pub that feels like the town hall of good vibes.
19. Old Street Tavern (Old Street) – Perfect for tech‑savvy drinkers who want a craft brew after a day of coding.
20. Three Tuns (Walthamstow) – A historic inn that serves a stout so dark it could double as a night‑vision filter.

South London – Where the Sun Sets on the Best Ales

21. The George (Clapham) – A classic British pub with a beer list that would make a monk weep.
22. The Dog House (Brixton) – Known for its eclectic décor and a pint that hits you like a meme‑laden tweet.
23. Tramshed (Clapham) – A converted tram depot turned bar. The industrial vibe pairs perfectly with a crisp lager.
24. Gerry’s (Battersea) – A rooftop bar that offers a view of the Thames and a beer selection that’s as diverse as London’s population.
25. The Prince of Wales (Balham) – A Victorian‑era pub with a modern craft beer list. Perfect for those who love a little history with their hops.
26. The Victoria (Wandsworth) – A hidden speakeasy vibe, but the drinks are fully legal.
27. Holly Bush (Putney) – A cosy nook that feels like your grandma’s living room, if your grandma served IPAs.
28. The White Horse (South Kensington) – Elegant, upscale, and the kind of place where you’ll hear someone say, “I only drink single‑malt Scotch,” while sipping a bitter.
29. The Dog & Duck (Croydon) – A lively spot where the beer is cheap and the conversation is cheap‑talk gold.
30. The Blackfriars (Bermondsey) – A historic tavern with a modern twist, serving ales that could rival a Shakespearean sonnet.

West London – The Pub‑Crawl Capital

31. The Churchill Arms (Kensington) – Famous for its floral façade and a beer list that’s as colourful as the exterior.
32. The Red Lion (Notting Hill) – A charming spot where you can watch the world go by while you down a pint of pale ale.
33. The Dove (Hammersmith) – River‑side vibes, great food, and a beer selection that makes you forget you ever ordered a cocktail.
34. The Prince (Hammersmith) – Classic British pub vibes with a modern craft twist.
35. The White Lion (Ealing) – A community hub where the beer is always on tap and the jokes are always on point.
36. The Crown (Hammersmith) – A historic pub with a modern beer garden that feels like a secret garden party.
37. The Lygon Arms (West Kensington) – A hidden gem with a beer list that could make a sommelier consider a career change.
38. The Old Ship (Fulham) – Maritime décor, strong ales, and a vibe that says “I’ve seen more sunsets than you have Instagram followers.”
39. The Harp (Chelsea) – A small, intimate bar where the beer is as smooth as a well‑crafted meme.
40. The Crown & Anchor (Hammersmith) – A bustling spot that’s perfect for post‑work unwinding.

Central London – The Heartbeat of Booze‑Culture

41. The Churchill Arms (Kensington) – Yes, we listed it twice because you’ll want to go back. The floral exterior is Instagram‑gold.
42. The George Inn (Southwark) – One of the few remaining galleried coaching inns in London. The beer is as historic as the building.
43. The Blackfriars (City) – A sleek, modern bar with a beer list that could make a Wall Street trader pause.
44. The Lamb (Covent Garden) – A theatre‑district haunt where actors and bartenders share the stage.
45. The Old Bell (St. James’s) – A classic London pub with a modern twist, perfect for a pre‑theatre pint.
46. The Mayflower (Rotherhithe) – Historic, riverside, and a beer selection that feels like a voyage.
47. The Spaniard (Covent Garden) – A tiny, bustling spot where the beer flows as freely as the crowds.
48. The Red Lion (St. James’s) – A political hotspot where you can discuss Brexit over a bitter.
49. The Harp (Soho) – Small, dark, and perfect for a secret‑agent‑style pint.
50. The Crown (Westminster) – Near Parliament, ideal for lobbying your friends to try a new brew.

Why This List Is Your New Drinking Bible

We didn’t just pick random spots because they had a fancy sign. Each pub on this list has been vetted for:

• Atmosphere: Does the place make you feel like a protagonist in a Netflix series, or like you’re stuck in a corporate PowerPoint?
• Beer Quality: We only included places where the bartender knows the difference between a lager and a “lager‑ish thing”.
• Memability: If you can’t describe the experience in a meme, is it even worth it?
• Location: Proximity to public transport, because nobody wants to end up in a river after a night out.

Pro Tips for the Pub‑Savvy

1. Always order a “pint of the day” if you’re feeling adventurous. It’s like a surprise box, but for adults.
2. Don’t be that person who asks for a “light beer” at a craft pub. You’ll get the side‑eye of a thousand seasoned drinkers.
3. If a pub has a board game night, join it. Nothing bonds strangers like a heated game of Monopoly and a stout.
4. Take advantage of happy hour. It’s the legal way to feel like a high‑roller without the actual money.
5. When in doubt, ask the bartender for a recommendation. They’re the real influencers.

Boost Your Own Pub Business (If You’re Reading This From Behind the Bar)

Got a pub that didn’t make the list? No worries—there’s always room for improvement. Check out Grow Your Business With Strategies Beer for a masterclass on turning your taproom into a meme‑magnet. And if you want to sell your brew online, remember to Sell your beer online through Dropt.beer. It’s the easiest way to get your craft into the hands of thirsty millennials without the hassle of a brick‑and‑mortar expansion.

Final Thoughts (And a Snarky CTA)

There you have it—your ultimate cheat sheet for conquering London’s pub scene, one pint at a time. Whether you’re a seasoned ale‑aficionado or a casual weekend warrior, this list will keep you from the tourist traps and straight into the heart of the city’s drinking culture. So grab a map, a phone, and maybe a spare pair of shoes (you’ll need them for the inevitable bar‑hopping marathon).

Ready to take your own beer game to the next level? Custom Beer is just a click away, and if you need help planning the ultimate pub crawl, hit us up via the contact page. Until then, keep sipping, keep snarking, and remember: the best stories start with a good drink and end with a meme-worthy caption.