The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak

If you like your real ale or cider and want a friendly pub with a large selection of well kept drinks, you can't do much better than the Southampton Arms.

Sure, it's a little on the small side inside and often standing room only, but that's a small price to pay for excellent ale, tasty and hearty bar snacks and pleasant staff to serve them both. Prices are fair for London, and there's even a small outside space out at the back. Better still, customers tend to be genuine real ale drinkers rather than underage hipsters looking for the latest craft ale.

We moved into the area six months ago and this quickly became our favourite "drinking" pub. They don't serve full meals and the decor is basic to say the least, but it's clean, tidy and friendly. If you're looking for the best pint in the area, this is the place to come.

14 Apr 2015 17:14

The North Pole, Islington

The best pub in the area, The North Pole has a great selection of real ales, stouts and cider on draught. Hearty food is served every day, with a decent roast on a Sunday. During weekday evenings it's not too busy - enough people to generate a decent atmosphere, but not too many to make you spill your pint.

There's a small outdoor area out the back, and plenty of comfy chairs inside. Friendly staff, good beer, they've got it all pretty much right here. The bar staff and genuinely interested in the beers they serve and happy to talk you through the options, and provide samplers. They even do a loyalty card where you get your tenth beer free. What more do you want?

The only tiny down side is the occasional preponderance of noisy rugby-playing gentlemen who spill down from Upper Street, but generally speaking they fall over somewhere on Prebend Street and don't make it this far, so a good night can be had at the North Pole.

13 Jun 2014 14:25

The Masons Arms, Mayfair

Good hearty food, not too overpriced. Drinks very reasonable for this part of town. Popular with suits from the local boutique investment banks and trendy fashion types from the stores on Bond Street. Relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

I don't think the legendary dress code really applies any more, although it's not the kind of place you would see ripped tshirts and shorts. More a shirt/smart jeans type of place.

A small but pleasant range of beers on offer, usually a couple of decent ales on tap. Gets very busy at lunchtime, particularly in the spring/summer, when drinkers will spill out on to the street.

30 Mar 2012 11:20