Best Pubs and Dive Bars in London

Guide: Old Pubs, Queer Rooms, and Live-Music Bars

The best low-key London nights are not all one mood. The French House and Bradley's keep Soho old-school, The Dublin Castle and Old Blue Last bring live-music pub history, Dalston Superstore adds queer late-night energy, and The Anchor puts the river in the background. This is now a wider London nightlife starter instead of pubs and late rooms mashed together.

• The French HouseThe French House is a Soho institution for half-pints, artists, writers, theatre people, and old central-London conversation. Go for the bar's history and upstairs dining, not because the name means French fine dining.
• Bradley's Spanish BarBradley's Spanish Bar is a narrow Soho veteran for cava, beer, jukebox nights, and late central-London energy. Go when the night needs a real bar with regulars rather than another polished cocktail room.
• The Dublin CastleThe Dublin Castle is Camden's old-school live-music pub, tied to the area's band history and still useful for pints, small gigs, and a rougher counterpoint to the bigger ticketed venues.
• The Old Blue LastThe Old Blue Last keeps Shoreditch connected to live music, beer, club nights, and rougher pub energy. Go when the route needs volume, bands, and history rather than a designed cocktail lounge.
• Dalston SuperstoreDalston Superstore is a key LGBTQ+ bar, club, gallery, and community space on Kingsland High Street, with drag, DJs, cabaret, brunches, and a clearer late-night reason to route Hackney toward Dalston.
• The Anchor BanksideThe Anchor Bankside is a Thameside pub dating back to 1615, serving real ale and food across the bar and restaurant with outdoor seating between Borough Market and Tate Modern.