Pubs are located throughout the streets of London, and each has its own appeal to locals and tourists. If you’re new to London, then you probably don’t know a good place to choose with so many choices. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a guide of some of the top London pubs. Take a look and find out which ones have the drink, food and atmosphere you’re looking for.
The Harp — Covent Garden
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Many locals favor The Harp for its selection of ales, ciders and sausages. Ten different ales are served daily from their hand pumps on the bar, with a few regulars always on hand. And if you enjoy cider, their selection from around the UK doesn’t disappoint. The Harp also serves home cooked sausages with a selection of flavors available every day. The downstairs normally stays busy with crowds of people lined along the walls that are covered in beautiful, old Victorian portraits, while the upstairs is a little more calm and intimate, with comfortable chairs and sofas to sit in while you chat and have your drink of choice.
Princess Louise — Covent Garden
Source: Flickr
If you want a little more upscale pub, then Princess Louise fits your tastes as it sticks to its name and has a bit of a royal vibe to it. It was built in the late 1800’s and has kept its traditional Victorian interior well preserved for its current visitors. Princess Louise serves a nice variety of Samuel Smith’s beers, as well as your typical pub food. Frequenters of this top London pub say they enjoy relaxing in the sofas and plush armchairs with their small gathering of friends.
The Windsor Castle — Kensington
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Today the Windsor Castle is known as Kensington’s friendliest pub. Its charming building, delicious pub food and assortment of specialty drinks attract a good-sized crowd from the area and neighboring ones. If you want a real ale, beer from around the world or a fine wine, you’ll find it at this top London pub. The Windsor Castle’s beer garden is a spot in west London many appreciate, complete with an outside bar so when your glass goes dry you don’t have to walk all the way inside to get another. Come and check out one of their menus dedicated entirely to puddings, or stop by on a Sunday for one of their tasty Sunday roasts meals, which they claim are just as good or maybe even better than your mum’s.
The Grenadier
Source: Flickr
This traditional British pub is in Belgrave Square, not too far from Buckingham Palace. The Grenadier was built in 1720 as the Officers Mess for The First Regiment of Foot Guards. The name was later changed and is called after a Grenadier who it’s told was caught cheating on a card game and later killed for it. Those who drink and dine here still attempt to pay off the man’s debt by attaching money to the ceiling. The friendly staff at the top London pub provide a welcoming atmosphere to all who enter and offer you fresh British pub food accompanied by a glass of ale, chilled wine or a hot cup of coffee.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese — Blackfriars/Holborn
Source: Flickr
This London pub, sometimes just called “The Cheese”, has been around since the mid-1600’s. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese has a lot of history as one of the oldest pubs, and sometimes is seen more as a museum than a pub. It’s said that a lot of literary greats, like Charles Dickens and Alfred Tennyson, used to frequent this pub. Each room you walk into has its own character and original portraits on the walls. Don’t be surprised to find woodchips scattered on the floors. They were used back in the day to help soak up spilled beer. While checking out all the rooms, don’t forget to grab yourself a Samuel Smith’s beer and some of their famous pub grub.
The Southampton Arms — Kentish Town
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The Southampton Arms serves you ale, cider and meat, mostly pork. This top London pub claims to be the only ale and cider house in London that sells beers and ciders from various small independent UK breweries. Twelve of their bar pumps dispense cask ales, while six others behind the bar dispense ciders. They also have two keg taps. But be prepared to have plenty of cash on you if you come to this pub because The Southampton Arms doesn’t accept credit or debit cards.
The Spaniards Inn — Hampstead Heath
Source: Flickr
This pub dates back to the 16th century, so it’s another one full of history. Charles Dickens even wrote about this pub in one of his works. The Spaniards Inn has some smaller nooks with low ceilings and antique dark wood furniture, giving it sort of a moody setting. It has a large beer garden to enjoy during the summer or open fires to cozy up by during the winter months. The Spaniards Inn is seen as a quaint country pub in the city.
With this list of top London pubs, you’re sure to find one that best fits your personality. Use our guide to help you choose one before you reach London. If you decide to do a London pub-crawl one night, add some of our choices to your list of pubs. Make sure to check out these hotels located in London so you have a room to go to after you’ve been to a pub or two.
