Must-see nightlife in North London

  • Drink, Shop & Do

    North London

    This kooky little outlet in a former Victorian bathhouse will not be pigeonholed. As its name suggests, it is many things to many people: a bar, a cafe,…

  • Holly Bush

    North London

    This beautiful Grade II–listed Georgian pub boasts a splendid antique interior, with open fires in winter. It has a knack for making you stay longer than…

  • Flask

    North London

    Charming nooks and crannies, an old circular bar and an enticing beer garden make this 1663 pub the perfect place for a pint while walking between…

  • Big Chill

    North London

    Come the weekend, the only remotely chilled-out space in this large, buzzy bar is its first-rate and generously proportioned rooftop terrace. Count on a…

  • Edinboro Castle

    North London

    Large and relaxed, the Edinboro offers a fun atmosphere, a fine bar and a full menu. The highlight, however, is the huge beer garden, complete with warm…

  • The entrance to the Castle, an historic and popular pub in Tooting

    Castle

    North London

    A gorgeous, boutique pub – if there is such a thing – with a winning formula of snazzy decor (wooden floors, designer wallpaper, soft furnishings and…

  • The exterior of The Alma

    Alma

    North London

    This friendly pub features film-themed posters and paraphernalia, and serves a decent variety of craft beer, ale and cider. The Sunday roasts are superb…

  • Spaniard’s Inn

    North London

    Dating from 1585, this historic tavern has more character than a West End musical. It was supposedly highwayman Dick Turpin’s hang-out between robberies,…

  • Euston Tap

    North London

    This specialist drinking spot inhabits a monumental stone structure on the approach to Euston station. Craft-beer devotees can choose between 15 cask ales…

  • Chapel Down Gin Works

    North London

    England's most famous winery, Kent-based Chapel Down, has branched into distilling spirits and what better place to start than with gin? Here it’s made…

  • 69 Colebrooke Row

    North London

    Also known as 'the bar with no name', this tiny establishment may be nothing much to look at, but it has a stellar reputation for its cocktails (£11). The…

  • Engineer

    North London

    The dictionary definition of a beautiful backstreet boozer, the Engineer is all dark wood, cosy booths and unvarnished tables, and has a hidden garden…

  • Craft Beer Co

    North London

    One of eight Craft Beer Co locations in London, this lovely pub is riding the wave of the craft-beer craze, pushing the envelope by giving its drinkers a…

  • Garden Gate

    North London

    At the bottom of Hampstead Heath hides this gem housed in a 19th-century cottage with a gorgeous beer garden. The interior is wonderfully cosy, with dark…

  • Origin Coffee Roasters

    North London

    This little cafe just before the entrance to the British Library piazza scores highly on design but even more on its coffee. One of just three London…

  • Bull & Gate

    North London

    Once one of the best places to see unsigned but promising talent, the legendary Bull & Gate’s old-school music venue has metamorphosed into an elegant…

  • Lock Tavern

    North London

    A Camden institution, the black-clad Lock Tavern rocks: it's cosy inside, and it has a rear beer garden and a great roof terrace from where you can watch…

  • Camino

    North London

    This festive boozer is popular with London’s Spanish community and therefore feels quite authentic. Drinks, too, are representative of what you’d find in…

  • Auld Shillelagh

    North London

    We're going out on a limb and calling this London's best Irish pub. The staff are sharp, the Guinness is good, and the live entertainment is frequent and…

  • Tapping the Admiral

    North London

    Enjoy a fine selection of real ale in this cosy, eclectic, nautical-themed award-winning boozer. Regulars keep the bar propped up and the dimly lit…

  • BrewDog Camden

    North London

    The hair of this particular dog is craft beer, with around 20 different brews on tap. BrewDog's own brewery is up in Scotland, but more than half of the…

  • Egg LDN

    North London

    Egg has a superb layout with two vast exposed-concrete rooms, a wooden loft space, a garden and a roof terrace in an old Victorian warehouse. It…

  • Hansom Lounge

    North London

    Named after the old hansom cabs (horse-drawn carriages) that once waited in this very place to pick up distinguished guests of the hotel, this elegant…

  • Booking Office Bar & Restaurant

    North London

    As the name suggests, in a former life this was the booking office of St Pancras train station. The space has been transformed into a show-stopping bar,…

  • Bull

    North London

    One of Islington’s liveliest pubs (with DJs on weekend nights and sports events on TV), the Bull serves a large range of draught lager, real ales, fruit…

  • Barrio Angel

    North London

    A good bet for a fun night out, this cocktail and DJ bar's atmosphere, decor and music are a celebration of all things Latino, with a hint of London and…