Discover 54 verified historic pubs, traditional taverns, and craft beer taprooms across London—complete with local ordering tips and interactive map pins. Base yourself in Soho, Covent Garden & Fitzrovia or South Bank, Bankside & Borough for easy walking access.
Reader-supported guide: We may earn a commission if you book through partner links (marked ↗) on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Intimate,stained-glass-windowed tavern steps from Trafalgar Square, crowned CAMRA National Pub of the Year for its ten impeccably cellared cask ales.
47 Chandos Pl, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HS
Built in 1905 on the site of a medieval Dominican friary, featuring a wedge-shaped marble interior, beaten-copper friar reliefs, and a vaulted mother-of-pearl barrel room.
174 Queen Victoria St, Blackfriars, London EC4V 4EG
Tucked down a narrow passageway off Hatton Garden since 1546, built around a cherry tree that Queen Elizabeth I famously danced around.
1 Ely Ct, Ely Pl, Holborn, London EC1N 6SJ
Built in 1750, London's most famous flower-draped pub covered in 100 hanging baskets, packed with Winston Churchill memorabilia, real cask ales, and a legendary hidden Thai kitchen.
Tip: Head to the greenhouse dining room in the back for the Pad Thai and Massaman curry. One of London's best pub meals.
119 Kensington Church St, London
Rebuilt in 1667 immediately following the Great Fire of London. A subterranean labyrinth of dark timber rooms, sawdust floors, and open fires drank in by Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and Samuel Johnson.
Tip: Descend into the 13th-century vaulted crypt cellars for the ultimate historic tavern atmosphere and cheap Samuel Smith's stout.
145 Fleet St, London
London's only surviving galleried coaching inn dating from 1676, owned by the National Trust. Charles Dickens mentioned it in Little Dorrit and William Shakespeare drank here.
Tip: Sit in the massive cobblestone courtyard in summer for people watching, or warm up by the wood-paneled bar in the Parlour.
77 Borough High St, London
London's oldest riverside pub (established 1520 during the reign of King Henry VIII), featuring original flagstone floors, 400-year-old pewter counter, and riverside terrace overlooking the historic Execution Dock.
Tip: Check out the replica execution noose hanging out over the Thames mudflats from the rear beer garden balcony.
57 Wapping Wall, London
Romantic 1585 country coaching inn at the boundary of Hampstead Heath, rich with highwayman Dick Turpin folklore, open wood fires, and London's premier Sunday roast.
Tip: Book a Sunday lunch table 2 weeks in advance for their legendary 21-day dry-aged British sirloin with giant Yorkshire puddings.
Spaniards Rd, London
Tucked down a cobblestone alley in Covent Garden, a 17th-century tavern historically nicknamed 'The Bucket of Blood' due to bare-knuckle prize fights staged in the courtyard.
Tip: Climb the narrow wooden staircase to the first-floor Dryden Room for a quieter pint and classic shepherd's pie.
33 Rose St, London
Soho's most iconic bohemian watering hole since 1910. Strict no-phones, no-music rule; serves beer only in half-pints, thirty champagnes by the glass, and exquisite French bistro dining upstairs.
Tip: Put your mobile phone away in your pocket (they strictly ban mobile phones at the bar) and strike up conversation.
49 Dean St, London
Historic East End Victorian tavern dating to the mid-1700s, renowned for ornate original blue-and-white tiled walls, craft ales, and natural wines opposite Old Spitalfields Market.
Tip: Head upstairs to the velvet-seated cocktail lounge for specialty Martinis and Old Fashioneds.
84 Commercial St, London
Historic Grade II-listed Victorian tavern directly opposite the main gates of the British Museum on Museum Street, famous for cut-glass mirrors, cask ales, and literary history.
Tip: Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:30
🕒 Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:30
49 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London
The founding pioneer of London’s craft beer scene, pouring ultra-fresh pale ales, IPAs, and export stouts on Spa Road along the Bermondsey Beer Mile.
Tip: Opening hours: We-Fr 15:00-22:00; Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 12:00-19:00
🕒 Hours: We-Fr 15:00-22:00; Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 12:00-19:00
132 Spa Road, Bermondsey, London
Railway-arch taproom on Druid Street famous for brewing London Black nitro porter alongside traditional English ales and smoked beers.
Tip: Opening hours: We-Fr 16:00-22:00; Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 12:00-19:00
🕒 Hours: We-Fr 16:00-22:00; Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 12:00-19:00
118 Druid Street, Bermondsey, London
Tap East is a pub located within Westfield Stratford City in Stratford, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
Westfield Stratford City, Stratford, London
The Cow is a pub located within Westfield Stratford City in Stratford, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-23:00; Fr 11:00-24:00; Su 10:00-22:30; Sa 10:00-24:00
Westfield Stratford City, Stratford, London
Brick Brewery is a craft brewery taproom and beer hall on Arch 209 Blenheim Grove in London Borough of Southwark, London.
Arch 209 Blenheim Grove, London Borough of Southwark, London
Plaquemine Lock is a Louisiana-themed pub located on Graham Street in Islington, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-23:00; Fr 16:00-24:00; Sa 12:00-24:00; Su 12:00-22:00
139 Graham Street, Islington, London
The Packington Arms is a craft beer pub located on Packington Street in Islington, London.
125 Packington Street, Islington, London
The Camden Head is a pub and restaurant located at 2 Camden Walk in Islington, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Tu, Th, Su 12:00-24:00; We 12:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-01:00
2 Camden Walk, Islington, London
The Marquess Tavern is a rustic pub located on Canonbury Street in Islington, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-24:00; Su 12:00-22:00
32 Canonbury Street, Islington, London
The Crown is a Fuller's pub and restaurant located on Cloudesley Road in Islington, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:30
116 Cloudesley Road, Islington, London
The Lexington is a live music pub located on Pentonville Road in Barnsbury, London.
98 Pentonville Road, Barnsbury, London
Formerly Edwards; Beaumont Arms. The present building dates from 1884/5 but there has been a public house on this site from at least 1826.
Westfield London (Shepherd's Bush), Shepherd's Bush, London
The Marlborough Arms is a pub and restaurant located on Torrington Place in Fitzrovia, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
Torrington Place, Fitzrovia, London
The Queen's Head is a craft brewery taproom and beer hall in 66 Acton Street, London.
🕒 Hours: Tu-Sa 12:00-00:00; Su-Mo 12:00-23:00
66 Acton Street, London
The Retro Bar is a craft brewery taproom and beer hall in 2 George Court, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-23:00; Fr,Sa 14:00-23:00; Su 14:00-22:30
2 George Court, London
A ship is a large vessel that floats on water, specifically the ocean and the sea.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Th 15:00-23:00; Fr 15:00-00:00; Sa 11:30-00:00; Su 12:00-22:30
171 Kennington Road, London
The Oxford Arms is a craft brewery taproom and beer hall in 265 Camden High Street, London.
🕒 Hours: Fr-Sa 12:00-02:00; Su-Th 12:00-01:00
265 Camden High Street, London
Rupert Street is a craft brewery taproom and beer hall in 50 Rupert Street, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-23:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-23:45; Su 12:00-22:30
50 Rupert Street, London
The Black Heart is a craft brewery taproom and beer hall in 2-3 Greenland Place Camden, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-We 15:00-00:00; Th 15:00-01:00; Fr 12:00-02:00; Sa 11:00-02:00; Su 12:00-12:00
2-3 Greenland Place Camden, London
The Fire Station is a craft brewery taproom and beer hall in 150 Waterloo Road, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-24:00; Su 09:00-22:30
150 Waterloo Road, London
The Marquess of Anglesey is a modern pub located on Bow Street in Covent Garden, London.
Bow Street, Covent Garden, London
The Duchess is a craft beer pub located on Duke Street in Mayfair, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-00:00; Su 12:00-22:00
Duke Street, Mayfair, London
The Mason Arms is a pub and restaurant located on Maddox Street in Mayfair, London.
Maddox Street, Mayfair, London
The Reliance is a craft beer pub located on Old Street in Shoreditch, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-We,Su 12:00-23:00; Th-Sa 12:00-02:00
Old Street, Shoreditch, London
The Gun is a historic pub located on Brushfield Street in Shoreditch, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-23:30; Su 12:00-22:00
Brushfield Street, Shoreditch, London
The Rose & Crown is a pub and hostel located on Union Street near Borough Market in London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00
Union Street, Borough Market, London
The Blue Maid is a craft beer pub located on Borough High Street in London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-We 12:00-23:00; Th-Sa 12:00-00:00; Su 12:00-22:00
Borough High Street, Borough Market, London
The Maple Leaf is a pub and restaurant located on Maiden Lane in Covent Garden, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:30
Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London
Traditional pub and dining venue located on John Adam Street in Covent Garden, London.
30 John Adam Street, Covent Garden, London
The Black Horse is a pub and cocktail bar located on Rathbone Place in London's Fitzrovia.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-23:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-24:00; Su 12:00-22:00
Rathbone Place, Soho, London
The Duke of Argyll is a historic pub and restaurant located on Brewer Street in London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-23:30; Su 12:00-23:00
Brewer Street, Chinatown, London
Hoop and Grapes is a historic pub located on Farringdon Street in London.
80 Farringdon Street West Smithfield, London
Singer Tavern is a lively pub located at 1 City Road in London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-We 11:00-24:00; Th-Sa 11:00-02:00; Su off
1 City Road, London
Mother Kelly's is an independent beer merchant and taproom located on Paradise Row in London.
🕒 Hours: Mo 16:00-23:00; Tu-Th 12:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-00:00; Su 12:00-23:00
251 Paradise Row, London
Tavern Pub is a beer-focused establishment located at 97 Cromwell Road in London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Fr 17:00-02:00; Sa,Su 12:00-02:00
97 Cromwell Road, London
The Chelsea Gate is a local pub and beer venue located on Fulham Road in London.
🕒 Hours: Tu-Th 17:00-00:00; Fr 15:00-00:00; Sa 13:00-00:00; Su 13:00-21:00
358 Fulham Road, London
Comptons of Soho is a friendly LGBTQ+ pub located on Old Compton Street in London.
53 Old Compton Street, London
Bradley's Spanish Bar is a pub and craft beer venue located at 44 Hanway Street in London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12:00-18:00
44 Hanway Street, London
Craft Beer Co. is a craft brewery taproom and beer hall in 168 High Holborn, London.
🕒 Hours: Su-We 12:00-00:00;Th-Sa 12:00-01:00
168 High Holborn, London
Escape Sports Bar & Restaurant is a craft brewery taproom and beer hall in 2 Lidlington Place, London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
2 Lidlington Place, London
Crown & Anchor is a gastropub located on Brixton Road in London.
🕒 Hours: Mo 16:30-23:00; Tu-Th 16:30-24:00; Fr 16:30-25:00; Sa 12:00 - 25:00; Su 12:00-23:00
246 Brixton Road, London
Pride of Pimlico is a community pub located on Tachbrook Street in London.
🕒 Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00
85 Tachbrook Street, London