If you’re the type of person who really favours great company, live trad music and top-quality Guinness – you're not alone. In fact, Irish pubs in London are more popular than ever, and in a 2026 DesignMyNight report, we found that Irish pub openings have risen by 131% year-on-year. So, if you're looking for the best of the best in the city, we know exactly where to go.
Traditionally different, forever friendly, brimming with Irish Champagne (that's a pint of Guinness to you and I) and spice bags, you’re sure to enjoy the spirit of the Emerald Isle in our guide to the best Irish pubs.
With live trad Irish sessions three evenings a week and an incredible selection of beer and wine, Sir Colin Campbell is a great Irish pub in North London. Head here to find an intimate atmosphere, fun and delicious seasonal plates.
Irish tradition meets Jamaican vibes at Paddy's Yard Brixton. Expect perfectly poured pints of the black stuff with top-tier rum, tropical cocktails and a soundtrack that'll put a smile on your face.
The menu is just as fantastically fusion. We're talking everything from fish and chips, Irish stew and sirloin steak to saltfish fritters, jollof and jerk chicken.
Boasting outposts all across the capital, O'Neill's pubs echo the warm hospitality of a classic Irish boozer. Each and every venue showcases trendy decor, plus many also host live music events and epic sports screenings. Plus you can get stuck into elevated pub grub washed down with cocktails or beer.
For a lively evening packed with tradition and good vibes, look no further than MC & Son's in Vauxhall. This Irish pub is steeped in history, with the walls lined with photos of the McElhinney family through the years and a cosy atmosphere that invites you to stay awhile. Live music every Saturday and a cheeky 2am lock-in make it the ultimate weekend hangout! Plus, their menu offers a fun twist with Thai snacks like Chiang Mai chicken (£8) and Khao Soi curry and chips (£7). A perfect mix of pints and plates.
Comfy sofas, open fire and a relaxing vibe make this a great place to meet friends, grab a quick drink or settle in for the evening. Snuggle up on one of the plush leather sofas and enjoy a chat over a top-notch Irish coffee.
Hidden beneath Waterloo's railway arches, Molly Mc's brings a warm slice of Irish spirit to central London. This lively singing pub is the perfect mix of traditional charm and modern fun, complete with vintage-style private karaoke rooms and regular live music sessions that keep the craic going strong.
The drinks menu offers everything from perfectly poured pints to expertly mixed cocktails, while the kitchen adds a delicious twist with its authentic Thai street food. Whether you're chasing the comfort of a Guinness-fuelled singalong or celebrating with friends, Molly Mc's is your go-to Irish home away from home.
This venue is a labyrinth of bars, linked by different staircases, ornate wooden decorations and the famous 250ft tree shipped in from Ireland. Check out Waxy's charming decor, complete with beautiful stain glass windows and huge wooden beams, as you drink like a king.
Founded by Aaron Wall and the home of Modern Irish Hospitality, Homeboy Islington offers the warm welcome you'd experience in any pub or bar in Ireland. Whether you're in the mood for whiskey, Guinness or a stiff drink, you'll find it all here... with authentic grub to soak it all up.
McGettigan's is a West London's hub for all things Irish. Serving up everything from traditional Irish dishes and pub grub classics to some of the finest Guinness in England, it's the place to sit back, relax and watch a game or two on the screens.
Perched on Borough Road, The Ship is a warm and traditional pub with cosy wooden interiors and a Lebanese kitchen serving some delicious food. They do a really great, creamy pint of Guinness here too.
You can also expect live music every Thursday and Friday night, while on Sunday afternoons it's all about traditional Irish music sessions. The beer garden is not to be missed either - it's one of Southwark's best.
Not for the traditionalists, this faux-Irish pub in Notting Hill is a great spot for a refreshing pint of Guinness and a trendy venue that hangs antlers from the ceiling. Head downstairs for your tavern feel or enjoy the shabby-chic vibes on the ground floor, complete with a vast selection of oysters and clams.
The Dog & Bell delivers all the craic of the Irish boozer to Deptford. Expect perfectly poured pints of Guinness, walls lined with vintage posters and memorabilia, and a billiards table for anyone who fancies a game.
A haven for beer lovers, it's got all kinds of hand-pulled ales, keg taps and craft brews up for grabs. With regular pub quizzes, folk music nights and an annual Pickle Festival, there's sure to be something afoot whenever you stop by.
After the best Irish pubs in London with live music? Brogan's can be found on Fulham Broadway and boasts 4 widescreen TVs, entertainment, a full menu of scrummy food, and a gorgeous rustic interior. Think cosy booths, bare brick walls and stunning stained glass windows.
Located on Hoxton High Street, Howl at the Moon is a fun and lively Irish pub where booking is almost always essential. A buzzing, cosy and cool space littered in beer mats, plants and friendly faces, it's perfect for after-work drinks and grub and East London beers on tap. It's got a proper community feel to it and the team host raucous pub quizzes every week (you may need to dance on the bar) and there's live trad music on weekends, too.
With a plethora of Guinness taps and Celtic dishes, mixed with music and a buzzy atmosphere, this venue is a great pick. Expect a lively atmosphere and quirky fairylit decor, often in the shape of large and colourful toucans.
With its beer garden, Guinness and big screens for watching sport, The Auld Shillelagh is a great Irish pub. It's been nestled in the heart of Stoke Newington for over 20 years so your drink is in good hands - these guys have been refining for quite a while.
Nancy Spains is a modern Irish pub in the heart of Shoreditch, stylistically mixing the Prohibition era with the East's quirkiness. Offering live music every week, DJ nights on Fridays and Saturdays, plus a tempting 2-4-1 happy hour, this haunt is set to be your new favourite. Whether you're on the hunt for authentic whisky or are thirsty for a signature tipple like a Barry's Pornstar (blending the classic with an East 8 Hold Up), you'll find everything you need and more here, including moreish Dominican food from resident chefs Boca Chica.
A top Irish pub in North London, The Faltering Fullback isn't your traditional stop off. With anything and everything hanging from the ceiling, from bikes to hockey sticks to acoustic guitars, as well as footie on the big screen and a bustling beer garden, it's one to soak up that charming spirit.
