Our city is full of magnificent pubs all claiming to pour the perfect pint, so how do you know where to split the G in safe hands? From central, social media-famous haunts to those a little bit more mysterious (yet steeped in musical and Hollywood history), we’ve listed the places slinging out the best Guinness London has to offer.
Last edited by Marcus Sanigar
Last updated on 8th December 2025
Pull up a pint of Guinness and dive into the good times at The Star of Bethnal Green, East London's legendary local loved by none other than Idris Elba himself.
This lively neighbourhood pub is where proper pints meet pure fun, with five themed karaoke rooms (from the retro Studio 54 Room to the neon-lit Rainbow Room) ready for you to sing your heart out. When you're not belting out your favourite tunes, stick around for DJ sets, disco nights, and pub quizzes.
Waxy O'Connors is an Irish pub that, upon entry, feels as though you've stepped into a magical labyrinth, thanks to its winding trees, grand staircases and majestic passages spanning six different levels. You'll certainly find a pint of the good stuff here, alongside an expansive whiskey selection. Expect live music throughout the week from 9pm onwards and chomp on some amazing homemade food like grilled cheese sandwiches. And if you're looking for somewhere a little more intimate that also does a cracking Guinness? Waxy's Little Sister is on hand to help you out.
Ready for a night of live music and festive fun? MC & Son's in Vauxhall has it all! Steeped in history with cosy wooden snugs and family photos of the McElhinney crew, this traditional Irish pub brings the party every Saturday with live entertainment and a 2am lock-in. Grab a pint of Guinness, settle in, and dive into Thai treats like Chiang Mai chicken (£8) and Khao Soi curry and chips (£7). It's a mix of Irish charm and Thai flavours that are guaranteed to keep the good times flowing.
Where can you find the best Guinness in London? The Devonshire, of course. Growing in popularity by the day thanks to social media, it's one of the most sought-after boozers in the capital for a pint. So much so, that punters huddle around its glossy, green tiles all the way down to Piccadilly station nursing their drinks in the sunshine. Created by Oisin Rogers, Charlie Carroll and Ashley Palmer-Watts, it's a sleek, two-storey haunt that is home to an acclaimed restaurant too. So, after you've finished your Guinness, head upstairs to the blood-red dining room where you can enjoy hand-dived scallops and Iberico pork chops.
With warm wooden interiors, low lighting and plenty of craic, Molly Mc's is a dream spot for a creamy pint in the heart of Waterloo. A traditional Irish singing pub, its themed karaoke rooms are the perfect place to let it all out.
Whether you're here for a quiet pint or a full on singsong, there's tasty Thai plates to pair with your Black Stuff. Get down here on a Saturday and you can take your Guinness bottomless with traditional live music and a spice bag brunch.
Located on Great Portland Street, The George is an 18th-century, Grade II-listed pub that spans two floors of rich interiors. From dark green walls to golden light fixtures and ruby red pinstripe furnishings, it features a colourful mix of opulent interiors that are as mesmerising as this boozer's history. What was once a hub for the political, cultural and social movements of the Georgian era, and home to writers and poets in the 20th century, is now the place to go if you're looking for the best Guinness in Central London. Alongside some very good stout, it's also famed for its black pudding scotch eggs, should you fancy a nibble.
The award-winning Homeboy is a bar to write home about, having made the top 50 cocktail bars list. It brings Irish hospitality to a slick space, fronting bare brick walls, a monochrome tiled bar and low-hanging, industrial-style lights. Pull up a chair counter-side or slide into a leather booth and get your lips around a solid pint of Guinness, before browsing an extensive drinks list highlighting the versatility and excellence of whiskey. You'll feel like you're in somebody's lounge as you listen to live music, whip the white foam from your lips and chomp on chilli cheese fries, or a beef and Guinness stew served alongside soda bread.
If you're on the prowl for the best Guinness in East London then this Hoxton beauty just about cuts it in terms of location, but undoubtedly trumps all when it comes to its pour of the good stuff. Howl At The Moon is an easy-going, independent pub that fronts bare-brick walls, pretty plants and of course, a great pint. To partner your drink, browse a menu courtesy of the Italian sandwich legends Dal Fiorentino and tuck into fresh focaccia filled with layers of prosciutto ham, buffalo mozzarella, fresh beef tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil.
In the depths of Notting Hill, you'll find The Cow, a saloon bar and dining room by Tom Conran. On the ground floor, there's the rough and ready Irish tavern, serving the black stuff in abundance and it's dubbed the prime place to enjoy Guinness and oysters. Upstairs features a posh restaurant with tall windows and crisp white tablecloths, with a menu that packs tempting Northern European-inspired cuisine, such as a whole load of winkles, whelks, and clams. It's popular among celebrities too, and you'll soon see why after your first visit.
The best Guinness in London Soho you say? It has to be The Toucan. A pub as rich in history as it is taps of the black stuff, it used to be one of the venues where Jimi Hendrix performed regularly at the beginning of his career in the 60s and has also featured in a handful of movies, such as Last Night In Soho. Not only do they serve the most delicious Guinness in the city but they also boast a selection of retro posters dedicated to the much-loved drink across its walls. It's a popular venue and one that packs out as soon as the sun appears, leaving revellers to enjoy a pint roadside by the square.
Fronting contemporary art on its ceiling, specifically created by London-based artist Phylilda Barlow, The Audley Public House is a Mayfair gem that combines stunning visuals with incredible food and drink. The latter of which includes a tremendous pint of Guinness. Sip on the black stuff while soaking up the interiors of the elegant Victorian building, designed by Thomas Verity (the same man who did the exterior of the pavilion at Lord's Cricket Ground). The menu features classic bar snacks (think sausage rolls and cheese chips) alongside hearty roasts, perfect for enjoying with your tipple.
Wander up Stoke Newington Church Street and you'll find an unsuspecting, dark red pub with bouquets of flowers hanging above its door. Petite-looking and sporting authentic Irish trinkets, it beckons you to see past its exterior and wander through its whiskey-laced walls. You'll find an expansive beer garden and heaps of cosy corners to tuck yourself away in and enjoy one of the best pints of Guinness available in the capital. Full of charm and quirkiness, it's the watering hole to hit up if you're looking for a full-proof drink you can enjoy in the sunshine.
The Faltering Fullback is a family-run pub that's covered in leafy vines to match its emerald green door. It's tucked away on a residential street, removed from the bustle of the city, and offers a selection of rooms to sip an excellent pint of Guinness in. Whether you choose to venture out into the peaceful, foliage-adorned garden or head to the 'Sin Bin' for a more intimate affair, there's something for everyone. Marvel at guitars hanging from the wall along with bicycle wheels and other quirky memorabilia and revel in one of the worst kept secrets in London.
