London's beer scene has never been better. From brewery taprooms pouring direct from the tank to proper real ale pubs with hand-pull perfection, these are the places where the pint is the main event.
There was a time when ordering a beer in a London pub meant choosing between three or four options and none of them were particularly interesting. Those days are gone. London now has one of the most exciting beer scenes in the world, with hundreds of breweries, taprooms, bottle shops and pubs dedicated to serving something better than the ordinary.
But with so many options, where do you start? We have picked ten pubs and taprooms across London that represent the best of what the city has to offer. Some are devoted to cutting-edge craft. Others are temples to traditional cask ale. All of them share one thing: they take beer seriously without taking themselves too seriously.
The Craft Beer Destinations
Clerkenwell, Central London
The Craft Beer Co in Clerkenwell helped pioneer the craft beer pub in London. The tap list is staggering: dozens of lines covering every style imaginable, from sour and wild ales to double IPAs and imperial stouts. The rotating selection means there is always something new to try, and the knowledgeable staff can guide you through the list without making you feel like you are back at school. The basement bar adds extra space and a more intimate drinking atmosphere. If you only visit one craft beer pub in London, make it this one.
Why it works: The original London craft beer pub. An extraordinary tap list and staff who genuinely know their beer.
Hackney Wick, East London
Howling Hops is something special: a brewery taproom where the beer is poured directly from the tanks in which it was made. You are literally sitting in the brewery, surrounded by the gleaming steel vessels that produced what you are drinking. The beers are fresh in the most literal sense possible, and the range covers everything from crisp lagers to hop-heavy pales and rich porters. The Hackney Wick location adds to the atmosphere: it is industrial, creative and unapologetically about the beer.
Why it works: Beer poured directly from the brewing tanks. It does not get fresher than this.
Borough Market, South London
The Rake is tiny. Genuinely tiny. It might be one of the smallest pubs in London. But what it lacks in size it makes up for in ambition. The beer selection is curated with obsessive care, featuring a constantly rotating lineup of the best craft beers from the UK and abroad. Located right next to Borough Market, it is the perfect pit stop while exploring one of London's great food destinations. Get there early because the small space fills up fast, and grab a seat outside if the weather permits.
Why it works: Tiny space, enormous beer selection. Quality over quantity in every sense. Borough Market on the doorstep.
Old Street, Central London
The Old Fountain on Baldwin Street near Old Street is a gem of a pub that champions independent breweries. The tap lineup always features interesting, lesser-known breweries alongside the established names, and the atmosphere is warm and unpretentious. This is a proper pub that happens to have outstanding beer, not a beer bar that happens to be in a pub. The dark, cosy interior and the friendly crowd make it the kind of place where you go for one pint and stay for three.
Why it works: A proper pub first, a craft beer destination second. Independent brewery champions with a warm atmosphere.
Hackney, East London
The Cock Tavern on Mare Street is Hackney's definitive craft beer pub. The Howling Hops brewery connection means the house beers are excellent, and the guest taps bring in the best of what is happening in London's wider beer scene. The atmosphere straddles the line between traditional pub and modern beer bar perfectly: wood-panelled walls and a proper bar counter meet a forward-thinking beer selection. It is the best of both worlds, and the food is good too.
Why it works: Hackney's craft beer HQ. Howling Hops house beers plus an outstanding guest selection.
The Real Ale Institutions
Craft beer gets the headlines, but London's real ale scene is where the soul of British brewing lives. These pubs champion cask-conditioned ale served from hand-pull, the way it has been done for centuries. The skill involved in keeping cask ale in perfect condition is an art form, and these pubs have mastered it.
Gospel Oak, North London
The Southampton Arms operates on a simple principle: ale and cider from independent producers, and nothing else. No lager, no spirits, no alcopops. Just beautifully kept cask ale and proper cider from small British producers. The pub itself is stripped back and honest: bare floorboards, a piano in the corner, a roaring fire in winter and a garden out back. The meat from the on-site smoker adds to the appeal. This is a pub that knows exactly what it is and does it brilliantly.
Why it works: Ale and cider only, from independent producers. Purist, passionate and perfectly executed.
Covent Garden, Central London
The Harp has won CAMRA's National Pub of the Year, and for good reason. This narrow, characterful pub just off Trafalgar Square serves an exceptional range of cask ales in immaculate condition. The cellarmanship is among the best in London: every pint is served at the right temperature, in the right condition, with the kind of care that can only come from genuine passion. Do not be put off by the size: it is narrow and busy, but that is part of the charm. The sausage rolls from the bar are an added bonus.
Why it works: CAMRA National Pub of the Year. The best-kept cask ale in central London, served with genuine pride.
Hoxton, East London
The Wenlock Arms in Hoxton is the kind of pub that real ale enthusiasts dream about. Saved from closure by a passionate campaign, this small, unassuming corner pub serves an ever-changing selection of cask ales and craft beers that consistently punches above its weight. The atmosphere is friendly and inclusive, the regulars are knowledgeable without being snobbish, and the live jazz sessions add an extra dimension. A pub that proves you do not need a fancy fit-out to serve world-class beer.
Why it works: Saved by the community, beloved by beer lovers. Outstanding cask ales in the most unpretentious setting imaginable.
Borough, South London
The Royal Oak near Borough Market is a Harvey's tied house, serving the full range of beers from this legendary Sussex brewery. Harvey's Best Bitter from the hand-pull here is one of the finest pints you will find in London: perfectly kept, beautifully balanced and deeply satisfying. The Victorian interior is gorgeous, with etched glass, dark wood and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to settle in for the afternoon. It is a masterclass in how a well-run brewery pub should work.
Why it works: Harvey's Best Bitter in perfect condition. A beautifully kept Victorian pub that serves one of London's finest pints.
Victoria Park, East London
The People's Park Tavern brews its own beer on-site, which puts it in a different category to most pubs. The house beers are consistently good, from sessionable pales to richer, more complex styles, and the guest taps bring in additional variety. The spacious interior and the Victoria Park setting give it a relaxed, open feel, and the food menu is substantial enough to soak up a few pints. Drinking a beer that was brewed ten metres from where you are sitting is a genuine pleasure.
Why it works: On-site brewery with Victoria Park views. Drink beer brewed metres from your table.
How to Drink Better Beer
The single best thing you can do is talk to the bar staff. At every pub on this list, the people behind the bar know the beer intimately and are happy to help you find something you will love. Tell them what you usually drink, or describe a flavour profile you enjoy, and let them guide you. Half pints exist for a reason: try something unfamiliar in a half before committing to a full pint. And do not be afraid of cask ale. A perfectly kept cask bitter at cellar temperature is one of the great pleasures of British drinking and bears no resemblance to the flat, warm stereotype.
London's beer scene rewards curiosity. The pubs above are a starting point, but the joy is in the exploration. Every neighbourhood has its hidden gem, and the best pint you have ever had is probably in a pub you have not found yet.