Good restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs
From Reddit London wiki
Contents
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[edit] Restaurants
Click here for the r/London restaurant listing!
[edit] Bars & Pubs
[edit] General
- Gastropubs? - Gastropubs are a fairly recent phenomenon in the capital. People don't use the term that often, but it basically refers to a slightly classier (and more expensive) type of pub. They usually (claim to) sell a higher quality of food and drink. While many are wanky and overpriced, you can find some excellent places.
- Beer in the Evening - A comprehensive guide to pubs across London and the rest of the UK. Usually quite useful, but bear in mind that the core userbase is beardy real ale types who like to moan. Take their complaints with a pinch of salt.
- If you want to try some real British ale, check out CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) which has lots of information. Be sure to look out for Beer Festivals which are help throughout the year and are fantastic events for novices and experienced drinkers alike. Britain's biggest beer festival - The Great British Beer Festival is held yearly at Earls Court, usually around August.
- Fancy a Pint or Beer in the Evening - Find a Pint near you!
[edit] Just a pint... or 6 (Pubs)
- Sam Smiths pub
Cheap, authentic, friendly, relatively tourist free and there's plenty of them all over London. Here's a map of their locations.
[edit] Find a pub near you!
Knightsbridge
- The Nag’s Head
Once the smallest pub in London, certainly one of the nicest, and one of the ONLY independent (non-brewery owned) pubs left in the city. Lots of tat (collected, not bought at ‘pub-tat’ outlets) everywhere, and a Victorian What-the-Butler-Saw machine (ask for an old penny from behind the bar). Not cheapest, but one of my favourite places to spend an evening. Adnams ales (on tap since before they were cool) [1]
Angel
- The Mucky Pup
Laid back rock pub with a great free Jukebox just off Angel. It’s also open late most nights. Beer is reasonably priced. Very unpretentious and always quiet enough to get to the bar. Also, one of the best Sunday roasts in London. [2]
- The Island Queen
Takes 5 minute walk down some posh streets round the back of Angel station to get to this nice little pub. A decent atmosphere, and not too long a wait to get served. It's got a little front garden too which gets a bit of evening sun with luck. Food is not bad and less than a tenner. Gets busy later in the evenings and weekends so book if you want a table. [3]
Borough
- The George Inn
Near Borough market, National Trust owned, one of the last tudor coaching inns in London (Shakespeare and Dickens both drank here). Surprisingly huge, really cool place with a big outdoor space in front, the old coaching yard. [4]
- The Gladstone.
Small but perfectly formed. A minute walk from the tube and has the vibe of a mate's living room. Very big on music and all gigs are free. Saturday nights are usually a type of alt country or folk rock; Sunday evenings are chilled out singer songwriter where the staff ask you not to talk during sets. They sell great Pieminister pies and mash, several real ales, and have an upstairs with a roof garden and a room full of cushions, board games and instruments. They even sell guitar strings.
- The Rake
Probably the tiniest pub in the area (it has a little beer-garden at the side also) but a huge choice of ales/beers. Loads of speciality bottled and draught beers which change every few days, they allow sampling too. Has won a few "Best bar/pub" type awards. Situated next to the back of Borough market, they also have a stall (Utobeer) in Borough Market.[5] [6]
- The Market Porter
Good selection of beers which rotate fairly regularly. Right next to Borough market and so it tends to get really rammed at lunchtimes, service is normally fairly good though and you can drink outside (plastic glasses only for outside).[7]
Notting Hill
- The Earl of Lonsdale
Nicely re-done inside, with Victorian panels to separate sections of the bar, massive lovely garden. Good place to hide on carnival day if you need to escape the main drag.[8]
- The Windsor Castle
Friendly, though crowded in the summers as the garden is absolutely lovely. Good gastro food, and Victorian bar separators. Before Notting Hill was built up, you could see Windsor Castle from the pub.
Wapping
- The Captain Kidd
Sam Smiths, nice interior, awesome riverside views.[9]
St. John's Wood
- The Ordnance
Nice Sam Smiths, warm and cozy, usually pleasantly quiet, good in winter.[10]
Southwark
- Brew Wharf
Next to, and part of, Vinopolis. This one is more like a bar than a pub, but it has some unusual beers by virtue of its microbrewery. Its a bit more pricey than other pubs in the area but well worth a look. [11] [12]
- Doggett's Coat and Badge
On the south bank, next to Blackfriars bridge. Excellent place to get a drink by the river on a sunny day as you can stand right by the river wall out front. Has an umbrella-covered, heated beer garden round back and multiple floors inside. Be warned though, food is unreliable! [13]
Camberwell/Denmark Hill
- The Phoenix
Denmark Hill Station. Great pub situated in Denmark Hill station. The pub quiz on Tuesday nights is well worth checking out.
Vauxhall
- The Black Dog
Glasshouse Walk. One of the friendliest pubs I've been in, and they serve food all day (including breakfast!). Brilliant when hungover.
Wimbledon
- The Alexandra
Wimbledon Hill Road. Can get a bit busy as it's close to the station. I started going here when it was still on vinyl, and have watched it become when of the most popular pubs in Wimbledon since its renovation. Their chef is awesome.
- The Brewery Tap
Wimbledon Village High Street. Prices are cheaper than all the surrounding pubs and great atmosphere from a friendly owner. Also cracking classic pub food served by a slightly mental chef.
Bermondsey
- The Angel
Bermondsey Wall East. I feel like this one's taken a dip recently, but in terms of location and interior it's great. Food is decent too. Not mind-bogglingly awesome but a nice respite in a bit of a wasteland when it comes to pubs. Waterloo
- The White Hart
Cornwall Road. Haven't been here in about a year but I'm a great fan because it's near Waterloo but doesn't get flooded with commuters. From what I remember (and bearing in mind it's been a while since I last went) they had a pretty good selection of beers, and would be my first choice if I were back living in the area.
Richmond
- The White Cross
Great pub over several floors, nice beer garden overlooking the Thames, that famously floods at high tides. Decent selection of beers, good pub food (with good portions), and free wellies for when you get trapped in the pub by the high tide!
South Kensington
- The Builder's Arms - A bit toff-filled at times.
- The Anglesea Arms - Tends to attract Imperial students.
Kennington
- The Black Prince
Black Prince Road. Worth walking to if you're in Elephant & Castle, which itself is a bit barren; but also close to Kennington Tube station. The landlord's a really friendly guy and keeps it open all night on Superbowl Sunday, which is how I found it - he put on a special Superbowl menu and had some amazing beer and food deals on. Don't find myself in Kennington too often but I make it an annual trip just for the Superbowl! lv bags uk so good
[edit] just a few brews...outside! (Pubs with outside space (beer gardens))
- The Edinboro Castle, Camden
Massive garden, central Camden, often rammed despite it’s size. A bit trendy, but decent food, great in the summer if you get there early enough. [14]
- The Harcourt Arms, Edgware Road/Marylebone
Swedish pub, near the Swedish Embassy and Church. Nice back garden (you can rent it and bring your own meat for bbq’s) Good beers and Swedish cider. [15]
- The Dove, Hammersmith
Not so much a garden, but actually on the river. Nice ales, great views. [16]
- The Queen’s Head, Hammersmith
Generic pub with ok food but LOVELY, huge garden. [17]
- The Windsor Castle, Notting Hill Gate
Original Victorian bar-seperators (DUCK!) good beer, not too expensive (for Notting Hill), pretty good food, and AMAZING garden. One of the best places in London to be for an evening. Gets packed all year around. <<fun fact>> It was called the Windsor Castle because before the area around Notting Hill was built up in the early 19th c. you could see Windsor Castle on a clear day. [18] vivienne westwood jewellery so good
[edit] Something a little more swanky... (Wine Bars)
- Gordon’s Wine Bar, Charing Cross
Probably already on here, as it’s a classic. Cave next to Charing Cross, great outdoor space in summer, but it’s the often sweltering cellar you want to check out. OK prices for bottles of wine, and surprisingly friendly French Staff. [19]
- Smithy’s Wine Bar, Kings Cross
Hidden away, awesome, super friendly (they overheard it was my birthday and presented me with a bottle once – mind you, we had filled up half the bar.) No one knows about this place, so well hidden on a back street is it, but it’s family run, in an old stables (the Shire horses used to live there back when there were Horse-Drawn omnibus’s in London!) Food is great, drink is great. Harvey's Sussex ale on tap. [20] mont blanc pens discount so good
[edit] and what about pub grub?... (Food pubs)
Angel
- The Mucky Pup,
As above, favorite roast in the city, assuming the food’s not changed – only been for drinks of late)
- The Charles Lamb,
Best food. So good. Not expensive (for a gastro). Small place, really pleasant atmosphere, and fuck crisps when toast with mushrooms and melted cheese is only £2.50 [21]
- The Albion,
Bit pricey, great garden, and you can, for a price, get a full suckling pig. [22]
King's Cross
- The Fellow,
Situated to the side of King's Cross /St Pancras Station on York Way, this is handy for meeting for a drink or food just before catching a train. Its a gastropub in the mid price range - £20 will get you a main and a drink - but worth it if you are in the mood for some good quality food. [23]
[edit] Bring on the fancy drinks! (Cocktail Bars)
- Freud, Covent Garden
Awesome cocktail bar near Covent Garden. Great selection, good pricing. [24]
- Floridita, Soho
Cuban-themed cocktail bar in the heart of Soho. Me gusta! [25]
- The Nightjar, Islington/Shoreditch
Brilliant cocktail bar near Old Street Tube Station. It's still quite new so isn't too crowded and is still reasonably priced. Service is fantastic and groups of people will get free entrées. Friday and Saturday there is live music. [26]
- Lounge Lover, Shoreditch
Probably one of the best cocktail bars in London at the minute (and has the awards to prove it). Reasonably priced with a very casual atmosphere and interesting decorations. [27]
- Barts, Knightsbridge
Barts speakeasy is difficult to find but worth it. Their cocktails are phenomenal is a bit on the expensive side. [28]
- The East Bar in Sketch, Soho
Considered the height of fashion for years Sketch is not quite as trendy as it once was but this amazing bar which is housed within a two story egg is well worth checking out. [29]
- Baltic, Southwark
Combination of a cocktail bar and restaurant with a Baltic flavour, right by Southwark station. Great range of cocktails, with some oddities. [30]
- Boundry Rooftop, Shoreditch
I just discovered this rooftop lounge/restaurant (summer only) awesome but pricey cocktails, good food, view over a bit of east London no one who doesn’t work up high in the city gets to see. GREAT date place. On top of boundry hotel [ttp://www.theboundary.co.uk/rooftop/]
- Albert and Pearl, Angel
Owned by the trendy twats that own the Queens Head on Essex road, this one is much more laid back, nice dj sets, good cocktails. Really chilled. [31]
- Queen Boudicca, Angel-ish
Also owned by the Queens Head twats (Essex road, not the nice one in Brook Green) who are too trendy for their own good, this one is much nicer than their flagship, with good food and much more fun/less irritating clientel. [32]
[edit] London is for lovers
[edit] Clubs & Night Life
- Fabric
The biggest nightclub by capacity (1800) in London. Plenty of high profile gigs from DJs. Several rooms with a decent range of music on offer. Main focus is on dance music, but sub-genres are usually well represented. [33]
- Cafe Oto, Dalston
Sure, its in Dalston and yep it does put on more obscure acts so if you're worried about an encounter with pretention and/or 'hipsters' then avoid. HOWEVER it is a nice little venue that puts on a reliable standard of live music, with intimate setting and for a relatively cheap price (generally under £10). Opens at 8 but the theatre next door serves drinks before that. Folk, alternative/indie, jazz, rock, experimental. [34]
- Union Chapel, Highbury
Absolutely gorgeous church venue setting, which is using live entertainment to fund the rebuilding of its spire.. Its all seated in pews cos its still a church on Sundays. This means the performers are usually more chilled genres, folk and indie and also regular stand up comedy. There are hot drinks available in the venue, but alcohol is only in the back room. They also serve good food in aid of homeless charity in the back, so there is no way you can leave without a bit of a do-gooder smug-buzz. Recommended. [35]
