What makes the perfect pub? Perhaps it is an impossible question to answer – yet the Standaard tried it last week. With the help of Josh Barrie and Mike Daw, I’ve put together the newspaper’s latest list of the 50 best pubs in London.
Despite being far from scientific – I’m inclined to believe that science in a pub should mostly be left to the pressure in the pumps – putting it together took years of searching around town for pints here and there, picking up recommendations and listening to the angry DMs. of missed places, refining choices. I’m not just going to Catford.
As such, the list is quite specific in its aims: it hopes to champion pubs that are truly egalitarian, that genuinely welcome everyone and don’t give the impression of dictating an experience (which is why gastropubs, restaurants in pub clothes, will). will have their own list in the new year).
And yet. There are thousands of pubs, and I only have one liver. No matter how Trooper it is, some places are bound to be overlooked. Below, some Standard players share their favorites in town, some on the big list (the ones marked with an asterisk), and some not. But anyway: the ones you’ll cross off one day.
Anna Van Praagh, head of content
The Aquarius Coat of Arms
As a dedicated West Londoner, any stylish addition to our handful of incredible gastro pubs is a bonus. This riverside gem has incredibly delicious food and Adam Hills from Retrouvious helped with the incredibly chic interiors. Five stars.
375 Lonsdale Road, SW13 9PY, watermansarms.co.uk
The Nags Head*
You won’t find a more characterful pub in London. Brilliantly atmospheric and old-fashioned. Simply beautiful.
53 Kinnerton Street, SW1X 8ED, 020 7235 1135
The Harwood arms
Their Michelin star is ridiculously well deserved. The roast beef is of ‘last meal before you die’ quality.
Walham Grove, SW6 1QJ, harwoodarms.com
The Pelican*
You’ll find me here most Sundays in their beautiful candlelit pub. Best winter Sunday lunch vibes in town. Not much for the kids to eat, but who cares?
45 Aller Heiligenweg, W11 1HE, thepelicanw11.com
The carpenter’s arms
Super stylish, reassuringly expensive Hammersmith pub with great outdoor space. An easy one to name as one of my favorites.
91 Black Lion Lane, W6 9BG, carpentersarmsw6.co.uk
Ben Cobb, Editor, ES Magazine
The French House*
There wouldn’t be a Soho without this place. If it’s not in your top three pubs, are you even a Londoner? No phones, no pints – it lives by its own rules.
Deanstraat 49, W1D 5BG, Frenchhousesoho.com
Bradley’s Spanish Bar*
Somehow this pub has avoided all the regeneration of Tottenham Court Rd. It’s a bit hidden down a side street, which helps, but it can also be protected by strange mystical forces. Still the best jukebox in town.
44 Hanway Street, W1T 1UT, bradleysspanishbar.com
Prince Alfred
The beautiful Victorian snob screen in this Grade II listed Maida Vale treasure is worth the trip alone. It’s best enjoyed in the summer, when everyone (sometimes literally) walks to Formosa Street.
5A Formosastraat, W9 1EE, theprincealfred.com
The Salisbury
Like all great drinkers it hasn’t changed in the 30 years I’ve been going there. Inside is a cathedral of shining copper and benders all day long. Avoid in the evenings when busloads of out-of-town theatergoers ruin the charm.
90 St. Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4AP, greeneking.nl
The Churchill arms*
This Kensington institution comes alive at this time of year. The Christmas decorations put Trafalgar Square to shame. Go for the lights, stay for the whiskey Macs.
119 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LN, churchillarmskensington.co.uk
Suzannah Ramsdale, lifestyle director
The antelope
A pub for every wish and whim. Cozy at the front, great food at the back (they do 10/10 Sunday Roast). There is a small, decorated garden for rare sunny days, and a large room with a screen that sometimes shows sports. Look out for the special stall at the front of the pub, on the left as you enter, where on Sundays a group of Irish fiddlers play a cheerful tune. There’s no better way to soothe a hangover.
76 Mitcham Road, SW17 9NG, theantilopepub.com
The Fentiman arms
This pub has a place in my heart for many reasons, not least because I had my wedding reception here. It was at the height of Covid and there were eight of us, but the staff made such a fuss. We drank, danced and forgot about the pandemic raging outside. It also has an interesting wine list (Bacchus from Wiltshire! Oh my!) and a hearty beer garden.
64 Fentiman Road, SW8 1LN, thefentimanarms.co.uk
Abha Shah, Deputy Shop Editor
The Nelsons
I’ve never had a bad time at this LGBTIQA+ friendly bar. Come for the killer cocktails, stay for the drag night. And don’t leave without adding your own willy-doddle to the wallpapered walls. What a pub!
32 Horatio Street, E2 7SB, thenelsonspub.com
Nick Clark, deputy culture editor
Prince Albert
This welcoming pub has a lovely, light and airy feel and is perfect for resting aching limbs after a brisk walk through nearby Battersea Park.
85 Albertbrugweg, SW11 4PF, theprincealbertbattersea.co.uk
The coil
Tucked away in the residential streets of Clapham Old Town, this is an intimate pub with a communal atmosphere, as evidenced by the regulars who gather every Friday evening.
1-3 Lillieshall Road, SW4 0LN, thebobbinclapham.com
The Windsor Castle
A glorious old school pub where customers have to dodge old wooden beams to move between rooms. Very Alice in Wonderland.
114 Campden Hill Road, W8 7AR, thewindsorcastlekensington.co.uk
The Trafalgar Tavern*
Set in an iconic London location, this Greenwich pub overlooks the Thames and soaks up the local maritime history.
Park Row, SE10 9NW, trafalgartavern.co.uk​
The elephant and the castle
A journo’s pub this and also a real winter warmer. Condensation on the bay windows, Evening Standard front pages on the wall. Bliss.
Hollandstraat 40, W8 4LT, nicholsonspubs.co.uk
Victoria Moss, fashion director
The Heathcote & Star
My favorite pubs are generally the ones I can roll home from. The Heathcote & Star, on the Leyton/Leytonstone border, is my local and always cheers me up. I even hosted my daughter’s five-year birthday party in the room upstairs (a well-stocked bar is essential for small children’s parties, right?). It’s obviously a very good Sunday roast, but just as tasty is Krapow’s regular service food – very tasty Thai street food. In the summer there is a gigantic garden, in the winter leather Chesterfield sofas by a fireplace. What else do you want?
344 Grove Green Road, E11 4EA, heathcoteandstar.co.uk
Katie Strick, senior feature writer and editor
The hope
I tend to avoid pubs that I associate with bad dates, but I always make an exception for The Hope. It’s the location on the corner of Wandsworth Common that attracts me – and the dogs. It feels like a wilder regular than most; one for the locals, not the tourists – and The Hope feels like the same in pub form. You can wear your muddy boots here in the winter or rock your tennis racket in the summer and feel like you’re coming home. Come for a 180-degree sun terrace in the summer and mugs of hot cider in the colder months. Stay for the Monday evening quiz, popular with large groups.
1 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG, thehopepub.co.uk
The White Cross
If Richmond is the happiest place to live in Britain, the White Cross is certainly the happiest place to drink according to Rightmove – if, like me, you judge a good pub by its good views, good atmosphere and the fact that you can do that. still guarantees a good time even if you don’t get a table. I’ve spent many a sultry summer afternoon there, sitting on those cute cushions they leave on the sidewalk and looking out over the river and the rowboats. In fact, I’d probably choose them over a table. In fact, on a particularly tropical day in July a few summers ago, a friend took a quick dip in the river halfway through a pint. That is not possible with the Coach and Horses.
River House, Water Lane, TW9 1NR, thewhitecrossrichmond.com
Jessica Landon, Assistant Art Director, ES Magazine
The Kenton arms
Great beers on tap. A very friendly pub with a good atmosphere. You feel like you’re sitting in a friend’s front room.
38 Kenton Road, E9 5BA, kentonpub.co.uk
The Elderfield
An absolute favorite for anyone who lives in the area. A wonderful meeting point for locals. A real hub. Good wine. Famed landlady Phyllis has been running the business well for about twenty years, while Clapton has transformed around her.
57 Elderfield Road, E5 0LF, @the_elderfield_pub
Mr Napier
This pub is located on many floors, so you can always find a table no matter how busy it is. Family friendly. A great pub to go to with the whole family.
25 Witte Postlaan, E9 5ER, lordnapierstar.co.uk
The Princess of Wales
A lovely canalside pub with plenty of outdoor seating. Wonderful in the summer and cozy in the winter. Provides a brilliant Sunday roast for all the family and dog walkers heading to the marshes.
146 Lea Bridge Road, E5 9RB, princessofwalesclapton.co.uk
The Spurstowe arms
One of the few vegan pubs in London. But even as a non-vegan, I love the food and drinks and I don’t care that it doesn’t contain meat because it’s still delicious.
68 Greenwood Road, E8 1AB, spurstowearms.com
Katrina Mirpuri, Senior Social Features Editor
The Hawley arms
Magnet for London’s remaining Indie, trilby-wearing, rock’n’roll-loving scene. Used to be local Amy Winehouse. Lock-ins usually involve dancing on tables to 1960s rock ‘n’ roll.
Castlehavenweg 2, NW1 8QU, thehawleyarms.co.uk
Prince Arthur
Local pub, tucked away from the chaos of Shoreditch. Nice selection of cask beer.
49 Brunswick Place, N1 6EB, theprincearthurpub.co.uk
Melanie McDonagh, columnist and art critic
Williams Ale and Cider House
It’s quiet, with very decent pub food (Scotch Egg et al), friendly service and good for anyone just having a drink and a bite to eat.
22-24 Artillery Range, E1 7LS, williamsspitalfields.com