As the season of layers and log fires creeps up on us, so too does our desire for a stiff drink. Lucky for you? These cosy London pubs are offering you that and so much more. Read our round-up of some of the city's best winter bars, featuring all your cold-weather cures, from snuggly sofas and Sunday roasts, to fresh pints of ale and warming cocktails.
Last updated on 15th March 2023
It's hard to think of a more perfectly placed pub than The Queen's, situated just a few yards away from Primrose Hill. There's a terrace space where you can drink and dine, while inside the focus is on setting up a cosy ambience with lots of charisma; enjoy a real fire, cask ales on tap and a great menu of freshly produced and seasonal British grub.
Enjoy some hours in this cosy Camden pub, where traditional decor is met with a modern menu of Mediterranean and British influences. Whether you fancy scoffing a Sunday roast or chowing down on delicious pizza, The Lansdowne has warming interiors and a wide bar selection waiting for you.
You probably wouldn't go looking for a cosy pub slap bang in the middle of Mayfair, but that's exactly where The Windmill lies. A snug, friendly boozer where award-winning pies and a beautiful range of cask ales and wines are a speciality, there's even a hidden rooftop terrace to escape to when the sun is shining.
This cool and cosy London pub is one of the top spots in The City for great beers and good grub. Just a short walk from Cannon Street, this friendly bar in one of the capital's busiest hubs offers calm interiors and perfect to escape from the stresses of the working week.
One of the places in Peckham whether you're looking for a few pints or a big night out, The White Horse is here to sort you for food, drinks and excellent tunes. Head over to the Rye-side spot and let them prove to you why they're known as one of London's cosiest pubs.
The Trafalgar Arms is a home-from-home in the heart of Tooting. With a focus on the finer things and plenty of inviting spaces to enjoy them in, the kitchen team use the finest local ingredients to prepare fresh and artisanal food, while boozy options come in the form of delicious wines and exquisite cocktails if you're just stopping in for a quick one after work.
If you're on the hunt for somewhere cosy to kick back and relax, Dartmouth Arms is a strong contender. Enter this Tufnell Park venue for light and airy vibes during the day, or come nighttime for sultry feels as you delve into hearty plates by the fireplace.
Featuring a toasty fireplace, towering pints of beer and delicious fare, The Queensbury is giving you the perfect watering hole to nestle in. Enjoy live music nights, happy hours on Thursdays and escapes to their secret garden during the warmer months.
You can't get much cosier than your classic, East End boozer. A fond favourite in the heart of Shoreditch hipsters, those looking to ignore the neon lights of the local clubs can take to The Owl and Pussycat for more laid-back surroundings. From draught beer to cosy sofas and vintage interiors, it's a chilled-out but boozy ride.
Home to quizzes, live jazz and vinyl-only nights, The Gallery is one of West Hampstead's trendiest local boozers. With a delicious range of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean plates on offer, they've also got a small but unique cocktail list, and as many as 101 whiskies for you to sample.
Pining for a pub in London with board games? An ideal location that doesn't ask too much from you, only that you chill out and have a top ol' time? Then you'd better make a move to Dalston. From pop-up kitchen residencies to a mighty selection of activities, you're going to want to stay bolted to the table for the night.
This classic boozer in Kensal Green boasts gorgeous Victorian features such as wood burning fireplaces, arched doorways and stained glass windows. Adding to that is their menu of classic pub grub and variety cask ales and warming wines, which will keep conversation flowing until late into the night.
Along with stylish and cosy interiors, The Oak has plenty to offer, from Sunday roasts and bottomless brunches to cocktails and bottles of wine. The venue also slings out warming desserts such as an autumn apple crumble with vanilla custard.
Found directly on the fringes of Regent's Canal, this is one serene and welcoming riverside retreat made for drinks with friends or dinner with family. Grab a chair overlooking the water and pick out something from their extensive cask ale selection or their international wine list.
Channel your inner Chiswick at this darling of a boozer. Infamous for its gastro fare and kitsch innards, this cosy London pub is a gem for those simply looking to hunker down for the evening. Whether you're enjoying one of their board games or lapping up an ale by candlelight, The George IV is a real treat.
Located outside Streatham Common, this charming pub is a jewel of SW16. Expect seasonal dishes served throughout the week, a tea room serving brunch and a fabulous selection of cask ales as well as a spacious beer garden; the perfect location for those balmy summer days.
Located in Wandsworth, Spread Eagle Hotel is a lovely pub sure to leave you smiling. Enjoy its cosy ambience and friendly staff, as well as excellent dishes whipped up by chef David. One delish burger, alongside freshly pulled pints? Yes please.
Fitted out with giant maypoles, wicker masks, brass icons and straw bears, the Hand of Glory is a colourful tribute to the fabric of British folk culture. It's a must if you're big on cider; independent brewers are to thank for the mulled and spiced pints on offer here. There's bloody marys, a list of Seven Deadly Gins and hearty comfort food from an award-winning chef too.
Sitting pretty between Clapham South and Balham tube stations, The Grove is about as classic as London boozers come. Steeped in Victorian architecture, it's a charming pub where you can tuck into hearty British gastro bites, sink into rustic chesterfield sofas and even knock back some bespoke tipples and warming winter ales.
The Colton Arms is the perfect place to relax and while the hours away. The intimate little pub lets the conversation flow, and the friendly bar staff keep the pints coming. And should you feel a bit peckish, their kitchen can supply you with a number of hearty and seasonal British dishes.
The Ten Bells is a Spitalfields legend, but less is perhaps known about its secretive cocktail bar upstairs. Cosy and inviting from the get-go, sit yourself down at one of their vintage Chesterfields and dip in to a menu of signature cocktails. And for the peckish? Their range of tasty pizzas should suffice.
Occupying a prized location that overlooks the starting point of the Oxford - Cambridge boat race, you'll struggle to find a more idyllic gastropub than The Duke's Head of Putney. Cosy up in the Coxswain dining room with its unrivalled views of the river, or there's a rota of live music, comedy shows and movie nights to look forward to.
Nestled in the heart of Leadenhall Market, Old Tom's caters for craft brew lovers in a snug space fitted with 19th-century wall tiles and bundles of charm. Find yourself a corner and let the stresses of the day melt away, with an excellent choice of beer matched with a strong range of gin and whisky and some tasty cheese and charcuterie options.
A delightful drinking space, The Union Tavern is the ideal spot to hide from the elements in the colder months. Serving an ever-so-tempting variety of craft beers, alongside a rich and flavoursome menu of classic pub dishes, this canalside haunt ticks every box for winter pubs in London.
Nestled in the heart of Covent Garden, this cosy pub offers a diverse menu of food and drink in pretty surroundings. Head on over and tuck into classic British meals with tipples from their extensive collection, or sip on a few craft beers sourced exclusively from local London breweries.
The term 'all-encompassing' is over-used, but not in these quarters. A pub, entertainment space, ale brewery and gin distillery wrapped up in one inviting package, The Four Thieves strives to ensure that its cherished homely vibe isn't ever compromised. Head to the heated gin yard and linger a little while.
Fox & Anchor whisks you back to the late-Victorian era with its grand mahogany, etched glass and heavy brass furnishings. Historic and cosy, it's the ideal spot to chew the fat with a couple of mates while you get to grips with the fantastic choice of good quality cask ales, craft spirits, and a menu of seasonal British bites.
A beloved local boozer, The Catford Bridge Tavern is a must-visit if you're on the hunt for a cosy South London pub. With classic features, cask ales and a menu of delicious Caribbean cuisine, there's nowhere better to snuggle up this winter.
Not only does The Mayflower have history on its side (think over 400 years of it) this cosy Rotherhithe pub is a perfect example of hunkering down, thanks to flickering candles, a great British menu and plenty of traditional ales.
Located just a stone's throw from Hampstead Heath, The Alice House is a cosy London pub that's the perfect place to unwind after a stroll through the park. Chomp away on British classics and sumptuous Sunday roasts while supping delicious craft brews in this homely nook.
Continually rated as one of the finest pubs in the city, The Gun sets a cosy vibe with its roaring open fires, inviting armchairs and Grade II-listed grandeur. Tuck into some fine gastro delights on the menu and marvel at views that look out across the river towards Canary Wharf.
Boasting dark wood features and plenty of cosy corners, Simon The Tanner in Bermondsey boasts plenty of charm. And if you're feeling hungry? You can enjoy food from The Disappearing Dining club, including crispy cod cheek and confit duck leg.
Offering lovely hospitality and front-row views of the river, The Old Ship has been keeping Hammersmith locals well fed and watered since 1722. Come by today and you'll find a contemporary and welcoming pub at the top of its game, with hearty grub cooked up in the kitchen and an extensive drinks menu featuring a range of Young's ales.
So you've got a penchant for fine London craft beer, but you're looking for a cosy Islington pub that's got the goods? Then we've got the place for you. From their own microbrewery to board games and candlelight aplenty, this North London nook is a great way to while away an evening in the city.
