by What makes the perfect pub? It may be an impossible question to answer — yet, last week, the Standard tried. With a hand from Josh Barrie and Mike Daw, I’ve put together the paper’s newest list of the 50 best pubs in London.
Despite being far from scientific – I believe science in a pub should be left to maximum pressure at the pumps – it took many years of trawling around town for a pint here and there to put it together, at building suggestions, hearing the angry DMs. of lost places, filtering options. I do not go to Catford lightly.
So the list is quite specific in its aims — it hopes to promote pubs that are truly balanced, welcoming, and don’t try to dictate an experience (that’s why pubs , restaurants in pub clothes,). get their own list in the new year).
And yet. There are thousands of pubs, and I only have one liver. Although, however, some places are bound to be overlooked. Below, some of the Standard team share their picks around town, some on the big list (those marked with an asterisk), and some not. But there is a way – one to cross someday.
Anna Van Praagh, chief content officer
The Watermans Arms
As a west Londoner anything stylish added to our incredible handful of pubs is a plus. This riverside gem has really good food and Adam Hills from Retrouvious helped with the super chic interior. Five stars.
375 Lonsdale Road, SW13 9PY, watermansarms.co.uk
Head of Nags*
You won’t find a more characterful pub in London. Wonderfully atmospheric and old fashioned Just gorgeous.
53 Kinnerton Street, SW1X 8ED, 020 7235 1135
The Harwood Arms
It has well deserved its Michelin star. Roast beef is “last meal before you die” quality.
Walham Grove, SW6 1QJ, harwoodarms.com
The Pelican*
You’ll find me here in their gorgeous candlelit pub on most Sundays. The best winter Sunday lunch vibes in town. The kids don’t have much to eat, but who cares?
45 All Saints Road, W11 1HE, thepelicanw11.com
Arms of the Carpenter
A very stylish and very expensive Hammersmith pub with a 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
French House*
There would be no soho without this place. If it’s not in your top three pubs, is it even London? No phones, no pints – he lives by his own rules.
49 Dean Street, W1D 5BG, frenchhousesoho.com
Bradley’s Spanish Bar*
Somehow this pub has avoided the regeneration of Tottenham Court Rd. It’s a bit hidden away on a side street, which helps, but it could also be guarded by strange mysterious 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. Best enjoyed in the summer when everyone spills out (sometimes literally) onto Formosa Street.
5A Formosa Street, W9 1EE, theprincealfred.com
The Salisbury
Like all great boozers, it hasn’t changed in the 30 years I’ve been dating. Inside is a cathedral with shiny brass and benders of the day. Avoid in the evening when coachloads of out-of-town theatergoers spoil the magic.
90 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4AP, greeneking.co.uk
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 Church Street Kensington, W8 7LN, churchillarmskensington.co.uk
Suzannah Ramsdale, lifestyle director
The Antelope
A pub for every wish and whim. Cozy in the front, great food in the back (they do a 10/10 Sunday roast). There is a small festooned garden for rare sunny days, and a large room with a screen that sometimes shows sports. Look out for the special booth at the front of the pub, on the left as you walk in, where on Sundays a group of Irish fiddlers play a fine tune. There is no better way to relieve a hangover.
76 Mitcham Road, SW17 9NG, theantelopepub.com
Arms of the Boys
This pub has a place in my heart for many reasons, not least because I had a wedding reception here. It was 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. There’s also an interesting wine list (Bacchus from Wiltshire! Oh my!) and a solid beer garden.
64 Fentiman Road, SW8 1LN, thefentimanarms.co.uk
Abha Shah, deputy shopping editor
The Nelsons
I have never had a bad time at this LGBTIQA+ friendly booth. Come for the killer cocktails, stay for the drag night. And don’t leave without adding your own willing swallow to the paper 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 stroll around nearby Battersea Park.
85 Albert Bridge Road, SW11 4PF, theprincealbertbattersea.co.uk
The Bobbin
Situated on the residential streets of Clapham Old Town, this is an intimate pub with a community feel, as the regulars who gather every Friday night attest.
1-3 Lillieshall Road, SW4 0LN, thebobbinclapham.com
Windsor Castle
A glorious old school pub where patrons have to duck their old wooden beams to move between rooms. Very Alice in Wonderland.
114 Campden Hill Road, W8 7AR, thewindsorcastlekensington.co.uk
The Trafalgar Tavern*
This Greenwich pub occupies an iconic location in London, overlooking the Thames and enjoying local maritime history.
Park Row, SE10 9NW, trafalgartavern.co.uk​
The Elephant and the Castle
This one is a journo pub and a real winter warmer too. Condensation on the bay windows, Evening Standard front pages on the wall. A greeting.
40 Holland Street, 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 boardwalk is my local and always makes me very happy. I even hosted my daughter’s five-year-old birthday party in the upstairs room (surely a fully stocked bar is a must for small children’s parties?). Obviously it does a very good Sunday roast, but the regular service food at Krapow is just as tasty – very nifty Thai street food. In summer there is a huge garden, in winter leather Chesterfield sofas by the fire. What more could you want?
344 Grove Green Road, E11 4EA, Heathcoteandstar.co.uk
Katie Strick, lead writer and senior editor
The Hope
I usually try to avoid pubs where I’ve been involved with bad dates, but for The Hope I always make an exception. The setting on the corner of Wandsworth Common is what draws me – and the dogs. It feels like a common wilder than most; one for the locals, not the tourists – and The Hope feels the same in pub form. You can wear your muddy boots here in the winter or rock up with your tennis racket in the summer and feel like you’ve come home. Come for a 180 degree sun terrace in the summer and mugs of hot cider in the colder months. Stay for the Monday night 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 Great Britain, according to Rightmove, the White Cross is certainly the happiest place to drink – if, like me, you judge a good pub to be a good sight , good manners and the fact that you can. still guarantee a good time even if you don’t get a table. In fact, I have spent many a balmy summer evening there sitting on those cute little cushions they leave on the footpath above the river and rowboats. In fact, I’d probably choose them over a table. On a particularly tropical July day a few summers ago, a friend even took a quick swim in the river in the middle of the pint. You can’t do that at the Coach and Horses.
Riverside House, Water Lane, TW9 1NR, thewhitecrossrichmond.com
Jessica Landon, deputy art director, ES Magazine
The Kenton Arms
Great morning on tap. Very friendly pub with a good atmosphere. You feel like you are sitting in a friends front room.
38 Kenton Road, E9 5BA, kentonpub.co.uk
Great Park
A top choice for anyone who lives in the area. A great meeting point for locals. A real center. Good wine. Famous landlady Phyllis has been running well for about 20 years and Clapton is changing around her.
57 Elderfield Road, E5 0LF, @the_elderfield_pub
Lord Napier
This pub is on many floors so you will always get a table, no matter how busy it is. Family friendly. A great pub to go to for all the family.
25 Whitepost Lane, E9 5ER, lordnapierstar.co.uk
Princess of Wales
A lovely pub by the canal with plenty of outside seating. Beautiful in summer and cozy in winter. It makes a great Sunday roast for all the family and dog walkers on their way to the marshes.
146 Leapbridge Road, E5 9RB, princessofwalesclapton.co.uk
Arms of Spurstowe
One of a handful of vegan pubs in London. But as a non-vegan – even I love the food and the drinks and I don’t mind that there’s no meat because it’s still delicious.
68 Greenwood Road, E8 1AB, spurstowearms.com
Katrina Mirpuri, senior social features editor
The Hawley Arms
A magnet for London’s remaining Indie, rock and roll loving hobby scene. She was Amy Winehouse’s local. Locking in usually involves dancing on tables to sixties rock and roll.
2 Castleton Road, NW1 8QU, thehawleyarms.co.uk
Prince Arthur
The locals are away from the chaos of Shoreditch. A lovely selection of cask ales.
49 Brunswick Place, N1 6EB, theprinceearthurpub.co.uk
Melanie McDonagh, columnist and arts critic
Williams Ale and Cider House
It’s quiet, with very good pub food (Scotch egg et al), friendly service and good for anyone with a drink and a bite on their own.
22-24 Artillery Lane, E1 7LS, williamspitalfields.com
