Real Ale Pubs in London
London is awash with some of the best real ale you could wish to drink. There are plenty of British sourced real ale beers on the taps of the city's pubs so we have handpicked some of the best places to find the golden, good stuff. Whether you're looking for a traditional pub or a unique restaurant bar, we've found the best in London with the biggest selections of real ales that you'll want to visit them all.
Last updated on 9th May 2022
A modern escape from the everyday grind of the city, The Tokenhouse is a mixture of industrial-inspired décor and cosy gastro-pub corners. For a great selection of real ale in London, this is the pub to head to after work. They have an extensive selection of cask ales and craft beers. The Cellar Bar is a hidden gem; with a speakeasy feel.
The old-school boozer on Tottenham Court Road is the perfect spot for anyone on the hunt for a real ale pub in Central London. With plenty of cask ales to choose from, there's also a delicious menu of pub grub to help soak it all up.
A traditional and welcoming East End pub that serves top real ales; The Artillery Arms offers tasty, classic pub food, perfect for those wanting something to line the stomach before a big night this pub is perfectly placed as a jumping point for a night out in Shoreditch. This pub is a perfect place to sample some real ale in London and chill with mates.
With a sister venue not too far away, Tank and Paddle Bishopsgate hopes to thrill city revellers with its great comfort food offering, fun games and home brewed pints of beer. Guests can tuck into a stone baked pizza, challenge their mates to a few fun-loving games of shuffleboard or sink deep into one of the venue's real ales, all made in the huge tanks behind the bar.
They're pretty darn serious about their ale contingent at The Northcote. Crowd-pleasers like the Sharp's Doombar, Adnams and Hogs Back are on the pumps, and they're frequently mixing it up with their own ale and cider festivals that are well worth checking out!
Forming a part of the Grade II listed Whitbread Brewery, The Jugged Hare is the perfect place for a relaxed drink of some delicious real ale in London. Having developed their own pale ale on site, The Jugged Hare gives you a fantastic opportunity to enjoy some homebrewed ale in a friendly and laid back environment.
The Castle, a Farringdon traditional pub, once favoured for its gambling is now a favourite for its sublime selection of beers and stunning function room. They serve four cask marque accredited real ales as well as 20 speciality beers, lagers and ciders on tap. Furnished in the style of an authentic London pub, but also one of the best karaoke spots in London, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Get on the guest list by booking online here to make sure you don't miss out on enjoying this lovely spot.
Made your way round to this charming boozer off Hackney Downs yet? Why not! It quickly becomes a firm favourite, charming punters with an interior that features giant maypoles, wicker masks and brass icons galore. Plonk yourself at a table and prepare for a feast; there's a rotating menu of culinary delights and plenty of 'deadly ciders', craft beers and home-infused gins at the same time.
Not only is The Colonel Fawcett a mecca for gin, but it also houses an impressive collection of real ale to enjoy in its traditional surroundings. Located in the bustling centre of Camden, it's a perfect sanctuary for London's beer lovers.
Head east where Leyton boozer Hare & Hounds is keeping you fed and watered with real ales and a menu of burgers, roast dinners, wings, salads and more. From winter to summer, fireplaces and a plush garden have you sorted.
Satisfying the physique of a Victorian style lounge and a pubbing parlour of traditional character, The Britannia is a Kensington favourite for laid-back boozing and lovely gastronomy. Surf their bar for a selection of top real ales and sink back into their comfy leather sofas and armchairs for a piece of pubbing pleasure.
You can expect a range of top-class Young's and guest ales from Winchmore Hill's self-proclaimed “veritable palace of refreshment”. Great regardless of whether you're dropping in for a swift half or hanging around for the entire evening, there's lots of variety on the menu and a decked beer garden if the weather looks good.
Not only does The Riverside offer a range of award-winning cask ales from Young's, it also promises some of the best riverside views in London to enjoy them from. Pick out your favourite tipple and make straight for the terrace, where there's room for up to 200 guests to kick back, relax and enjoy a couple of pints no matter what time of year they're visiting.
The Grafton in Kentish Town has drawn in ale lovers from across London with its wide selection of award-winning ales. With 8 taps all circulation the best ales in London, the roof terrace has proven to be a massive hit with the crowds, particularly in the summer months. Grab your mates, grab a pint of delicious ale and unwind at this pub in North London.
With Ales like ESB and London Pride centre stage, The Admiralty lives up to its Fullers branding. Reviving the nautical prestige of the HMS Victory from hull to stern, this central London pub recreates the grandeur of the Navy ship from the fitting plot of Trafalgar Square. There's nothing more satisfying that a place where you can people watch with a pint in hand. All aboard the Admiralty.
Nothing hits the spot like a good pin o' ale come the work fall out or the weekend. Finding a boozer in London that has a faithful spread of crafty beers and real ale isn't always easy. But, take it from us, The Steam Engine in Waterloo have it all stocked behind their bar. Sit back, have a pint pulled and glug to your hearts content.
There's not exactly a shortage of great pubs in Hampstead, but right up there among our favourites is The Flask. A Victorian gem with plenty of character and a lovely conservatory space, it's absolutely worth the 15-minute walk from Hampstead Heath. Pull up a stool and work your way through their collection of locally brewed drinks and signature Young's bitter, with fantastic seasonal guest ales always on tap.
Complementary Prosecco reception on arrival If you book your Christmas party with us Saturday-Monday
This rather splendid establishment is the home of The Betjeman Arms real ale! And a very comfortable home at that, filled with squishy soft furnishings, grandiose features and a wonderful sun terrace. Pop into this great pub whilst waiting for a train or simply because you fancy it; try their very own real ale and satiate your hungry with an array of great British fodder.
A Fuller's favourite pulling pints of some crafty cask ales, guest ales and premium draught beers. Grab a glass of London Pride, Frontier, Red Fox, Seafarers and more whilst you patiently await your connecting train or just fancy a quick pint in the nearest station destination. With plenty of people watching to fill your boots with, The Parcel Yard definitely satisfies that parched mouth after a public transport venture.
They don't just serve up spectacular gastropub food in the Guinea – you can wash it all down with a selection of the finest ales in Mayfair. Never skimping on quality, they make sure everything from their wine to their beers to their service is the best it can possibly be.
A popular pub in Soho, Sun & Thirteen Cantons is an intimate venue near Regents Street and is a great choice for those seeking out real ales as their selection is extensive. One of the top London pubs to visit for as well as its friendly and buzzing atmosphere it is also a great choice for private gatherings, as their basement bar is a cosy space perfect for those wanting a chic, yet traditional party space.
An historic boozer that dates back to the 17th century, you can count on an exciting and diverse menu of some of the best craft beers and guest ales from the King's Head in Roehampton. It's a haven for locals and visitors to the big open spaces at the nearby Richmond Park and Putney Heath, and there's a lovely garden ideal for kicking back and chilling with a pint or two.
There's 8 cask ales on tap at The Windmill, with great coverage of Young's beer and a regularly rotating selection of guest ales likely to feature upon your visit. Grab a pint of the good stuff before heading home or stay for some dinner; the pub boasts one of the most impressive pie menus in London with their steak offering having won 3 national awards.
Found just yards from the legendary Cutty Sark, The Old Brewery is a historic boozer perfect for a drop of real ale. There's a great choice of locally-brewed craft beers alongside a range of distilled spirits, a lovely atmosphere to welcome both locals and visitors and a stunning outdoor terrace for the warmer months.
A regular fixture on the south London boozing scene since way back in 1821, The Devonshire is one of the best pubs in Balham for a top quality drop of ale. Serving an extensive range and focusing on local producers, there's also a range of great bar snacks and gastro fare as well as a cracker of a beer garden if the weather's playing ball.
A short walk from Mansion House, this unique London pub offers the perfect place to get your post-work pints in. Offering up an impressive selection of cask ales and local craft beers, alongside a delicious menu of pub grub and bar snacks, it's a comfortable, welcoming and relaxing joint to find yourself in.
Boasting fresh, seasonal British dishes, there are many reasons to visit this real ale pub in London. But add in a riverside location and loads of ales to get stuck into to while away the summer days, One Over the Ait is a must should you ever find yourself in Brentford.
Where better to imbibe some amazing real ale than cosy, English heritage inspired gastro pub The Bull? Boasting some wonderful real ales, this is the ideal location for a warming drinking session with friends. The many seating areas invite you in becomingly, the sofas seeming impossibly squashy. If you get a bit peckish, there is a selection of pub grub with a contemporary twist on offer.
The Kings Arms is a bit of a favourite for locals in Mayfair and that's because of their tasty selection of real ales. A great place to kick back and enjoy a beer, they've got tonnes of updated pub classics menu to compliment it too.