The place are the perfect pubs in London? Who doesn’t need the reply to this query. Nonetheless, with over 3,500 pubs to select from, it’s virtually not possible for anybody to definitively reply that query.
We hope to avoid wasting you time trying to find pubs which are close to to the London vacationer points of interest you’ll be visiting by sharing a number of London pubs we loved.
Nearly any you stroll into will give you the comfy, heat English expertise you’ve dreamed of. There are additionally loads of distinctive pubs and people with a extra trendy aptitude as nicely.
Most of the pubs could have stay music, beer gardens, and exquisite London views. Some might be older than the existence of your personal white tradition (in our case Australia) with fascinating historical past and tales to inform.
Extra charming might be their names, which vary from the Thirsty Camel to the Canine & Duck and each animal, Queen, and King in between. Many pubs might be owned by the identical firm, e.g. Fuller’s and Inexperienced King, however retain their very own tales and persona. (It does imply you’ll discover the identical menu at a few of them.)
Because it’s an English cultural expertise we love, we made certain to go to lots of them on our journey to London, Oxford and Tub.
As we have been touring with our youngsters, it was largely simply to take pleasure in a pub lunch and a drink.
In case you are touring with youngsters like us, it’s useful to know that many London pubs gained’t be household pleasant after 5pm so all the time verify!
A few of these we visited within the night whereas the women stayed in our close by resort exhausted and watching TV. (We now have a teen so we will do that!)
Every so often we’d combine it up with a excessive tea or a café or restaurant, however pubs have been by far our favourite.
I LOVED that most of the pubs in London had gluten free beer choices, or scrumptious cider. All of which have been low in sugar and alcohol. It was nice to take pleasure in a drink with lunch and never stroll out buzzing like with what appears to be the usual 6.5+% beers within the USA now.
One factor to notice is most London pubs have a tendency to shut at 11pm, with final name drinks at 10:30pm. Once more, this can be a good factor so that you don’t get temped to have a LONG night time with exploration deliberate for the subsequent day!
We didn’t come near checking off our listing of finest pubs in London to go to. We’ll grind down on that with every new go to to London, as a result of we’ll positively be again. Remember to depart your favorites (and why) within the feedback beneath.
I’ll by no means be so daring as to say these are the “finest pubs in London” – who of their proper ingesting thoughts can decide that? However, they’re a number of of our favorites after a brief time frame exploring London (and a pair thrown in that I beloved visiting once I lived in London!).
Lamb & Flag, Covent Backyard
What a pleasant discover this outdated pub tucked away down a cobblestone alley in Covent Backyard was. How I had by no means heard of the Lamb & Flag once I lived in London I’ll by no means know.
It’s one of the vital well-known pubs in London and the oldest pub in Covent Backyard with a historical past that spans 200 and fifty years.
The very first point out of a pub on this web site was in 1772, when it was often called The Coopers Arms till it turned The Lamb & Flag in 1833, though the constructing is claimed up to now again to 1623.
Within the early nineteenth Century it was often called “The Bucket of Blood ” for the bare-knuckle prize fights held right here. And , the Lamb and Flag was additionally a favourite pub of Charles Dickens.
As to be anticipated, inside is slim with small rooms and ceilings made for 18th Century drinkers, and the flooring creaky. I beloved the little alleyway to the facet of the pub – watch your head as you duck to exit out.
Patrons will crowd the entrance entrance on a heat day – leaving extra room for you upstairs within the eating space.
The normal English pub meals was glorious and felt a bit of extra upscale than you’d count on (with cheap costs contemplating). We couldn’t go previous bangers and mash and pie and mash!
This can be a nice pub to go to if you find yourself exploring the West Finish of London. That’s the area of Covent Backyard, Leicester Sq., and Soho.
The Founder’s Arms, Southwark
The Founder’s Arms was one among our favourite pubs in London for the magnificent views of the River Thames, Millennium Bridge, St Paul’s, and the North Financial institution.
Fingers crossed you’ll be able to snag a desk outdoors, particularly if the solar is out and you’ve got a uncommon t-shirt climate day. (Luck was in our favor!)
They’ve ground to ceiling views from inside by means of their glass home windows so you’ll be able to’t go fallacious even in case you are caught inside.
Pimm’s & Lemonade is the drink to match this London view. And this may be an incredible spot for a pub lunch as nicely. I used to be very happy with my chips and mayo – a favourite London dish I ate virtually each day. For the Individuals, that’s chips as in fries.
The Founder’s Arms is close to many London points of interest together with St Paul’s, Tate Fashionable gallery, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and Borough Markets.
Anchor – Bankside, Southwark
The Anchor Bankside was a favourite London pub of ours for its historical past and riverside location. Its massive beer backyard on the banks of the River Thames in Southwark with its personal tiki bar was enjoyable.
The Anchor’s historical past dates again to the 1600s, however the present pub was constructed within the 1800s! It’s stated to have been frequented by none apart from Shakespeare! It’s additionally on the positioning of a Roman grave and plague pit.
On a sunny day, it will likely be arduous to discover a place within the beer backyard or rooftop, BUT, you’ll be able to simply simply stand on the cobblestone walkway in entrance. It’s the London means.
The Anchor is surrounded by many London points of interest and is close to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, London Bridge, and Borough Markets, and the Clink Museum.
Waxy O’ Connors, West Finish
All the time a favourite from my days residing in London was Waxy O’Connor’s, an Irish pub situated on the sting of Soho / Leicester Sq.. Because it’s probably not little one pleasant, we didn’t go to on this journey to London, however I like to recommend you do!
The explanation I most love this London pub is the gigantic tree rising in the course of it. We now have an identical pub in Raleigh, however the tree is nowhere close to as spectacular.
Sitting amongst tree branches and tree trunks carved right into a seating space feels such as you’ve been transported into magical Pixie Land. And if you get tired of that, you discover the labyrinth of 4 distinctive bars masking six ranges all linked collectively by a maze of staircases and passages.
This can be a occasion place for certain – particularly on St Patrick’s Day, for stay sporting video games, and stay music. Come early as this place will get packed.
An iconic London pub to not miss – particularly for an excellent time!
The Crown & Anchor, Covent Backyard
We loved this small pub in Covent Backyard unfold out over two flooring. We met up with a buddy right here for dinner – gluten free fish and chips with scrumptious mushy peas and nice sausage rolls for the youngsters!
The workers listed here are very pleasant. The downstairs can get crowded shortly, and with our youngsters we loved the extra consolation and area of the lounge upstairs – though you’ll most likely should go downstairs to order.
They’re situated within the Seven Dials space of Covent Backyard proper close to the meals market, and lots of buying streets (nice to your teen! Covent Backyard was on our London for teenagers listing).
It’s additionally very near a number of West Finish theatres so its nice for pre or post-theatre meals and drinks.
Tattershall Fort on the River Thames
A favourite sunny time out once I lived in London was a few pints on the Queen Mary floating on the River Thames on the embankment. She is not there!
However, you’ve choices for the same expertise at Tattershall Fort. Sit on the deck underneath that tilted crimson and blue chimney with a drink and views of the London Eye. Earlier than being a raucous London Pub, she was a floating artwork gallery and passenger ferry on the Humber Estuary within the Seventies.
This can be a distinctive London pub expertise. Additionally they have meals, specializing in fish and chips – and a child’s menu!
Edinboro Fort Pub, Camden
One in all our favourite pubs in London (we went right here twice) was the beer backyard of the Edinboro Fort Pub close to Camden.
Positioned a number of streets again from the primary Camden City and fewer grungy than most of the different pubs within the area, the Edinboro is a superb place to relaxation your ft, absorb neighborhood vibes with a scrumptious pub lunch and native brew.
The beer backyard is decked out with small crimson heated ingesting cubicles and lights strung up between the shady timber. Inside is simply as good when you want that.
On Sundays, they’ve their Sunday roast, which, aside from the Yorkshire Pudding, is gluten free, together with the gravy!
That they had a scrumptious gluten free beer on faucet right here too. In case you go to on another day of the week, it’s nonetheless value coming to the Edinboro for lunch, and even only a pint.
Hawley Arms, Camden
Often called Amy Winehouse’s pub as a result of she frequented it typically, however would additionally leap behind the bar to tug pints for drinkers. (see the poster if her within the high left window within the {photograph} above!)
The Hawley Arms has the Camden really feel of outdated – punk, grunge, and filled with enjoyable. It’s an eclectic combine of individuals and deep conversations in quiet corners and raucous laughter on the ground.
It’s vulnerable to singing and dancing breakouts by workers and clientele. There may be an upstairs addition to the pub that now hosts stay music occasions, and lots of well-known folks may be seen right here. A few of which embody Liam Gallagher, Kate Moss, and Pete Doherty.
Dublin Fort, Camden
Location: 94 Parkway, London
Web site: thedublincastle.com
Dublin Fort is a legendary London pub for its stay music scene that has spanned a long time. It has been ran by the identical household for over 28 years and options 4 stay bands each night time in addition to an incredible collection of beers, ciders and wines.
It might really feel a bit of grungy once you stroll in with its dim lighting and posters plastered over the crimson partitions, however that’s precisely whey folks prefer it. There isn’t any stuffy pretense wanted right here. It’s merely a spot to show up together with your mates for an excellent time listening to good music!
The Dublin Fort helped begin the careers of Blur, Coldplay, The Killers, Arctic Monkeys and Muse! It was additionally frequented by Amy Winehouse.
The Plough Pub, Bloomsbury
Location: 27 Museum Road Bloomsbury, London
Web site: greeneking-pubs.co.uk
This can be a nice watering gap within the coronary heart of Bloomsbury in London, and a brief stroll from the British Museum. The pub has been been round since late Victorian instances, and was as soon as often called the ‘Child’s Backside’, probably for its as soon as pink coloration.
It was frequented by artists and writers earlier than the battle. Bloomsbury was an space the place many well-known folks lived and roamed together with Virginia Woolf, Charles Darwin, and Charles Dickens.
Our good mates from Raleigh, Curt and Jenny, advisable The Plough Pub to us as their favourite pub in London. Curt’s dad’s ashes sit on this pub, so we popped in to say G’day and have a drink with him.
There may be first ground lounge room with further seating, nevertheless it was closed once we visited. It’s a clear and conventional wanting London pub and is sort of small. Service was very pleasant!
Camden Head Pub, The Angel
Location: 2 Camden Stroll, Islington
Web site: greeneking-pubs.co.uk
In case you’re exploring the Angel Islington area of North London, it’s possible you’ll wish to cease in on the Camden Head Pub for lunch and a pint. We discovered our means right here after visiting Platform 9 and three/4 at Kings Cross Station and exploring a number of Harry Potter movie areas within the space.
There’s a very cute pedestrian road known as Islington’s Camden Passage which is legendary for its vintage markets and impartial retailers. Tucked away right here is the Camden Head Pub with a big terrace overlooking the Passage.
The Camden Head was first established in 1849 as a tavern on Islington Inexperienced and rebuilt in 1899.
This pub is what is named a basic gin palace – the ancestor to pubs. Inside you’ll discover an inside that fits this elaborate Victorian model with wooden paneling, chandeliers, engraved window panes for a contact of glamour.
We had an incredible pub lunch right here. I beloved its homely ambiance.
The Gypsy Moth, Greenwich
In line with the maritime really feel of Greenwich in Southeast London is the quirky Gypsy Moth, named after the small boat wherein Sir Francis Chichester sailed single-handedly around the globe.
With its darkish blue inside, picket flooring, grand bar, picket wall lining, and nautical art work you’ll really feel such as you’re about to set sail beside the well-known Cutty Sark you’ll be able to see from outdoors the window or from the beer backyard out again.
We solely stopped in right here for a drink, however you’ll additionally discover a menu with conventional pub favorites.
The close by Cutty Sark pub is a Greenwich establishment. It’s greater than 200 years outdated and has an incredible riverside terrace and views throughout the Thames.
Close to right here in Greenwich is the Cutty Sark Museum, Royal Naval Museum, Queen’s Home, and Royal Observatory – all incredible issues to do in London!
Hereford Arms, South Kensington
The Hereford Arms was merely steps away from our resort, the Millennium Gloucester in South Kensington.
This Vicotirian pub had fairly a refined, cozy allure about it with its rustic picket inside, quirky mismatch of furnishings and wall hangings, and white exterior with flower packing containers on the home windows.
It’s rumored to be the ingesting hang-out of Jack the Ripper, however since nobody is aware of who that was, that story can’t be confirmed. We got here only for a drink however the menu regarded fairly spectacular with its conventional pub meals blended in with extra unique and trendy sounding meals like lamb neck filets, roasted butternut squash, and asparagus cheese tarts
Ideally situated for exploring Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Victoria & Albert Museum, and Knightsbridge.
The Stanhope Arms, South Kensington
One other pub in South Kensington situated throughout the highway from our resort.
I beloved experiencing the extra neighborhood vibe of those pubs, and the Stanhope had fairly an upbeat ambiance with an excellent mixture of ages and other people.
Because it’s proper throughout from Gloucester Highway tube station, the Stanhope Arms will see an fascinating combine of individuals revolving by means of every day from enterprise folks and vacationers in the course of the day to extra native and college students within the night.
The Stanhope pub was in-built 1835, and has been visited by many well-known folks comparable to soccer icons Dennis Sensible, Frank Lampard and the American actress, Eliza Dushku.
The Lamb Tavern, Leadenhall Markets
As quickly as we walked previous and I noticed the “blokey” vibe of the after-work drinkers spilling outdoors on the cobblestoned lanes of the market, I knew we have been within the Liverpool St space of London!
That is Bankerville and I used to serve related clientele in a pub I labored in across the nook close to Liverpool St Station.
Whereas we didn’t go to the Lamb Tavern in Leadenhall Markets, we did pop in for a fast bathroom break and I beloved the beautiful outdated and small inside and the Rickety metallic spiral staircase main upstairs.
The Lamb Tavern has been working as a bar since 1790. The menu is impressed from Leadenhall markets’ heritage of meat, poultry and recreation and their Sunday roast is well-liked. Their first ground restaurant overlooks the market.
I wished to advocate this pub as I appreciated the look of it and wished we’d stayed for a drink, however largely due to its location within the beautiful Leadenhall Markets in Central London.
These lovely coated markets have been initially established in 1321 as a marketplace for butchers and fishmongers (Nonetheless historical past says it was the middle of Roman London as a bazaar space within the 1st Century!)
A lot of the ornately embellished inside and cobbled laneways that you simply see preserved at this time is from a redesign in 1881.
It’s now a buying precinct with fashionable bars, cute cafes, boutique shops and a few taverns. One of many causes vacationers come right here is that it was used as the outside for Diagon Alley within the first couple of Harry Potter movies.
Slug and Lettuce, Richmond
One other of the good London pubs I’d incessantly go to once I lived in London was the Slug and Lettuce on the banks of the River Thames in Richmond.
Whereas it’s an space a primary time traveler to London might not go to, in case you are a returning customer, or a traveler with much more time and want to discover London’s neighborhood – and a quieter, native vibe, this might be a incredible day journey in London.
This can be a standout London pub merely for its riverside location and views. Fortunately, it’s all collectively an incredible pub expertise as nicely for everybody in your touring occasion.
The Slug and Lettuce is a enjoyable English pub chain, often attracting a youthful crowd (particularly at night time), and are embellished with a Bridgerton floral coloration pop vibe. You’ll typically discover nice offers on foods and drinks too.
They’ve actually cheap youngsters meals, who’re welcome till 8pm.
And if you wish to add a contact of English class to this London pub expertise, the Slug & Lettuce has a excessive tea for you at an affordable value.
You possibly can mix lunch right here with a go to to the close by Kew Gardens, the Tudor Palace of Hampton Courtroom, or the beautiful Richmond Park. And I extremely advocate taking a stroll alongside the river whereas right here.
Extra London Pubs
There are such a lot of different pubs we didn’t get to go to however are on our listing because of suggestions from others (Don’t’ neglect yours within the feedback):
- The Churchill Arms in Kensington This common hang-out of Winston’s is thought to be one of many prettiest pubs in London with its flower-clad façade.
- Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in Fleet Road, rebuilt after the good Hearth of London and frequented by Charles Dickens.
- In-built 1550, the Mayflower is the oldest pub on the Thames. Individuals will love figuring out that this London pub is near the place the Pilgrim Fathers set sail in 1620 for the (now) USA.
- Ye Olde Mitre, Holborn, established 1546 and constructed by Bishop Goodrich.
- The Dove in Hammersmith was as soon as within the Guinness Bork of Information for having the smallest bar within the UK. Its’ rumored King Charles II visited right here together with his mistress.
- The Viaduct Tavern, close to St Paul’s Cathedral is rumored to be constructed on the positioning of a former jail. This gin palace nonetheless has 5 cells seen within the basement.
- The Oldest pub in London is claimed to be The Prospect of Whitby. Established in 1520 and recognized to draw smugglers, thieves, and pirates, which gave it the nickname “the Satan’s Tavern.
Supply: Breaking Travel News