Camden pub and bar guide

Here's a guide to the pubs and bars of Camden - good or bad, we bring you the most talked about venues and the places you have to visit at least once. We've included a few user reviews, to give you an idea of what to expect when you get there. Or you can follow the links to see full details and all reviews for each pub.

The Hawley Arms, Camden

picture of The Hawley Arms, Camden

Address: 2, Castlehaven Road, London, NW1 8QU [map]
Phone: 0871 917 0007 (ext 1286) (Calls cost 10p/min)
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Nearest tube stations: Camden Town (0.2 miles), Kentish Town West (0.4 miles), Chalk Farm (0.4 miles)


Nearest train stations: Camden Road (0.3 miles), Kentish Town West (0.3 miles), Kentish Town (0.6 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Since it was burnt down, it's gone up in my estimation, excellent potential for residential development?
9 Jun 2008 12:09
A week or so after the fire they said that it would reopen in around 6 months. I walked past Friday night and it is still boarded up and showing a lot of signs of fire damage, as is the market behind it.

I wouldn’t hold your breath!
28 May 2008 07:53
Is it all up and running again now?

I haven't been down that way for a while.
27 May 2008 16:55

The Edinboro Castle, Camden

picture of The Edinboro Castle, Camden

Address: 57, Mornington Terrace, London, NW1 7RU [map]
Phone: 020 7255 9651
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Nearest tube stations: Camden Town (0.3 miles), Mornington Crescent (0.3 miles), Euston Square (0.7 miles)


Nearest train stations: Camden Road (0.5 miles), London Euston (0.6 miles), Kentish Town West (0.8 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

The beer garden is probably what sells the pub - that and the proximity to the park. It is an ideal place to chill out in the Summer, although it can get a bit rammed at weekends. I've been going on and off for about ten years and, aside from the customers looking younger, not much has changed ! The intermittend BBQ is good, although sometimes the service can be a littel slow.
4 Aug 2008 16:34
It's interesting looking back on the comments for this pub that date back to 2003. They all complain about the slow staff. You would think that at some point they would have sorted this out but in the years I've been sporadically coming here it's never changed.
Shame as it's a nice pub with a great garden and BBQ in the summer. I was here on Saturday night and the last of us to go to the bar was gone for 20 minutes. We ended up going to the Dublin Castle which was heaving with people and got served almost straight away.
21 Jul 2008 16:48
What a brilliant pub. I came in on Friday for a friend's birthday party and went onto this site to get directions. I have to say that after reading the reviews I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't queue at the bar for more than 2 minutes to get a drink and the service and staff were excellent.

The beer garden is huge which is uncommon for central London, the decor is great, they have massive choice of draught beer, good food, friendly staff and a nice atmosphere.

i'll definitely be back.
19 Jul 2008 23:05

The Devonshire Arms, Camden

picture of The Devonshire Arms, Camden

Address: 33, Kentish Town Rd, London, NW1 8NL [map]
Phone: 020 7284 0562
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Nearest tube stations: Camden Town (0.1 miles), Mornington Crescent (0.5 miles), Kentish Town West (0.5 miles)


Nearest train stations: Camden Road (0.2 miles), Kentish Town West (0.5 miles), Kentish Town (0.7 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Not been for ages but always a place i pop into for a pint or two while cd shopping in RR.
4 May 2008 20:50
Paid brief visit today at 1345 to sample the cask ale; can report the following:

1 cask ale - Hobgoblin, available @ £3/pint.
Condition - Reasonable.

Unfortunately this was served in a very warm glass. I would estimate the glass temperature was 35C and was straight from the dishwasher. It would be well worth asking for a cold glass when ordering beer.

The pub has a more spacious feel to its interior, and is a bit brighter by day than it was previously.
26 Feb 2008 14:34
I have to say I'm surprised at all the positive reviews of the 'new' Dev... I went in there for the first time in ages and was taken aback by how much worse the atmosphere was. The bar staff ignored me and my friend at the bar for ages too, even leaning over my shoulder to ask their friend who had just approached the bar what she wanted to drink! Maybe I just went in on a bad night because the atmosphere was so much worse than usual I'm not keen to go back (and it used to be one of my favourite pubs in London). Was I unlucky, or have any other previous Dev regulars had a bad experience there lately?
21 Feb 2008 20:05

Quinn's, Camden

picture of Quinn's, Camden

Address: 65, Kentish Town Rd, London, NW1 8NY [map]
Phone: 020 7267 8240
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Nearest tube stations: Camden Town (0.3 miles), Kentish Town West (0.3 miles), Chalk Farm (0.6 miles)


Nearest train stations: Camden Road (0.2 miles), Kentish Town West (0.3 miles), Kentish Town (0.5 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

very dissapointing, and this was the best pub in the area, the others visited were absolutely dreadful, an average pint here but at 5pm they couldn't be bothered doing any food because 'not enough customers' and the landlord couldn't wait to get back to his table of mates.
Poor, very poor. Avoid this place, avoid the whole zone! it's busy with attention seekers and druggies.
22 Jun 2008 22:25
It seems to me that the beer menus posted above the bar hardly ever bear any resemblance to the bottled beers that are actually available. It's easy enough to see what's available from the Lowlands as they're in a case to the side of the bar, but it's terrible trying to squint through the people at the bar to see which Germans are available (and usually there are lots).

It's very much worth it, though. One of the few places I'm more likely to order something in a bottle vs. draught.
12 Apr 2008 16:25
Visited again last night and there was no real ale on! They usually have four.

Started drinking Rochefort 8 at about 6.30 which was a bad move...
12 Apr 2008 10:06

The Prince Albert, Camden

picture of The Prince Albert, Camden

Address: Royal College Street / Georgiana Street, London, NW1 0QS [map]
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Nearest tube stations: Camden Town (0.3 miles), Mornington Crescent (0.4 miles), Kentish Town West (0.7 miles)


Nearest train stations: Camden Road (0.2 miles), Kentish Town West (0.7 miles), London Euston (0.7 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Yes I smell a rat as well - four glowing reviews by four reviewers who all joined on the same day. What a coincidence - it comes to something when a pub has to write its own reviews and i'll eat my hat if this place gives free champagne to anyone! Had a few expensive pints there and it was ok - but nothing to write home about. The Constitution round the corner is leagues ahead.
13 May 2008 22:47
I'm almost certain the pub itself is decent for drinking, unfortunately I was eating there as well. Pork belly should read pork scratching. The food on Monday night was simply dire. The single waiter did his best but failed to mention the elements of the dishes that would be missing when the food arrived. One can only assume the chef was having a night off. Eating there was an unenjoyable and consequently expensive disappointment.
5 Feb 2008 10:22
Five people posting very complimentary reviews on the same day and it's all their first and only pub review on the site.

I think I smell a rodent.

Been meaning to go here since it reopened, but can't resist the nearby Constitution. It doesn't look too bad to be honest, a bit gastro'd up perhaps, but almost certainly an improvement on what was there before.
17 Dec 2007 15:01

The Worlds End, Camden

picture of The Worlds End, Camden

Address: 174 Camden High Street, London, NW1 0NE [map]
Phone: 020 7482 1932
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Nearest tube stations: Camden Town (0.1 miles), Mornington Crescent (0.4 miles), Kentish Town West (0.7 miles)


Nearest train stations: Camden Road (0.3 miles), Kentish Town West (0.6 miles), London Euston (0.7 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Rude staff, overpriced beer, dirty glasses, freaky people. Bets pub in the world! Love it!
2 Jul 2008 00:03
Staropramen served here on draught. The upstairs conservatory at the back is a great place to unwind during the day but watch the steep spiral staircase when you've had a few!
18 Jun 2008 20:15
OK, so the toilets stink and it takes about 45 minutes to get a drink, but this place has a certian naive charm. You're probably better off going into the smaller half just past the kitchen, it's actually like a pub rather than a barn!
11 Jun 2008 17:16

The Dublin Castle, Camden

picture of The Dublin Castle, Camden

Address: 94, Parkway, London, NW1 7AN [map]
Phone: 020 7485 1773
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Nearest tube stations: Camden Town (0.2 miles), Mornington Crescent (0.4 miles), Chalk Farm (0.6 miles)


Nearest train stations: Camden Road (0.5 miles), Kentish Town West (0.7 miles), London Euston (0.7 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

I was in the Dublin Castle a few weeks ago and spoke to the lovely Czech barmaid for a while. Decent prices between 11am - 6pm, and one of my fave London boozers.
23 Jun 2008 15:08
Don't really understand the negative comments on here, but I haven't been in the evening and I gather the door staff spoil things somewhat. This always seems to be the case with London pubs - shame.

Anyway, we found this a perfectly decent pub - well priced before 6pm, efficient and friendly staff and a nice atmosphere. Don't know about the ales, but the Guinness was fine. Also largely free of the pretentious a*ses that haunt many other Camden drinkeries these days. Shedloads of cheap, multi-band gigs too.
20 Jun 2008 13:01
Went in for a quick pint last week. They don't know how to look after real ale, as my London Pride was off! The toilets are in the basement and were damp and disgusting. Not enough places to sit either.
25 May 2008 14:03

The Oxford Arms, Camden

picture of The Oxford Arms, Camden

Address: 265 Camden High Street, London, NW1 7BU [map]
Phone: 020 7267 4945
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Nearest tube stations: Camden Town (0.1 miles), Mornington Crescent (0.5 miles), Kentish Town West (0.5 miles)


Nearest train stations: Camden Road (0.3 miles), Kentish Town West (0.5 miles), Kentish Town (0.7 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Good pint of Guinness and the bar staff were friendly enough. Showing Gaelic football on the TV Decent enough. 6/10
9 May 2008 16:46
This is one of my favourite pubs in Camden and have always had a laugh when I've been there.
Found the staff to be friendly enough.
The food during the day is pretty good to!!
All round a good place to go for a nite or start a nite off!!!
4 Apr 2008 16:49
Well well, where to start? The rudest bar staff i've experienced for a while, asking for a drink was an inconvenience to them. Not one single smile between them, Camden has always been famous for its Gothic connections but it seems the staff here have mistaken it for misery. In fact the only time a member of staff did change their expression was when they messed up one of our food orders and when we asked if it could be corrected the reaction was to laugh in our face and say 'its too late now!' No apology was put forward and to make matters worse two other members of staff looked towards us and shook their heads being more concerned with their trendy hairstyles it seemed. And the toilet had urine all over the floor, I think this pub summed up the whole of Camden 'going downhill and stinking'.
11 Mar 2008 13:58

The Lock Tavern, Camden

picture of The Lock Tavern, Camden

Address: 35 Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8AJ [map]
Phone: 020 7482 7163
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Nearest tube stations: Chalk Farm (0.3 miles), Kentish Town West (0.3 miles), Camden Town (0.4 miles)


Nearest train stations: Kentish Town West (0.3 miles), Camden Road (0.4 miles), Kentish Town (0.6 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

I was in the Lock Tavern with friends on Sunday. It didn't look too busy from the outside so I wasn't too impressed at having to line up at six o'clock.
However, it didn't take long and once we saw how rammed the garden and upstairs were we were not surprised.
I don't know how andy, ken and rob can complain about the staff, when its busy at any pub you have to wait for a drink.
It's not too hard either when you're waiting in a great atmosphere with free live music!
Nice touch with the balloons also!
30 May 2008 14:41
No ale, but altogether not a bad pub at all. I've walked past on Fridays and Saturdays and it's heaving, but during the week it's quite pleasant. The garden at the back is pleasant and I like the slightly random staircase going to the top bar. Staff were friendly. As I say, I wouldn't go when it's busy, but during the week it's rather nice.
28 Mar 2008 10:11
This place was nice last time I went, but found some rude bouncers and a one in, one out policy when I turned up the other night. Getting told off for wanting to find my mates in a pub isn't my idea of fun on Friday. Neither is queing, so we all went elsewhere. Shame it's got so popular, I'd avoid it on a Friday.
27 Feb 2008 16:13

The Victoria, Camden

picture of The Victoria, Camden

Address: 2, Mornington Terrace, London, NW1 7RR [map]
Phone: 020 7387 3804
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Nearest tube stations: Mornington Crescent (0.2 miles), Camden Town (0.4 miles), Euston Square (0.5 miles)


Nearest train stations: London Euston (0.4 miles), Camden Road (0.6 miles), London St Pancras (0.8 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

This Pub is quality, nice beer garden, nice beer and good pizzas. People that attend this pub are also extremly friendly too. The best thing about this pub is they run poker games once week. Mainly on Tuesdays. Now thats really cool.
19 May 2008 16:48
A very good pub worth the (tiny) detour off the beaten track. Excellent beer, friendly service (apart from one female bartender who seems to be out of it all the time, often forgetting that she is serving you half way through serving you) and a terrific beer garden.
18 Jan 2008 09:30
Popped in for a quick pint whilst on my way to a function at London Zoo.
Although it was early (5.00PM) on a Wednesday evening, there was still a few in. The Pride was good and the comfy settees were difficult to force myself out of when I had to leave. Took a little while to get used to the subdued lighting, but appart from that a great little pub away from the madding crowd. I can understand why it has scored healthily from other reviewers.
9 Nov 2007 13:44

Crown and Goose, Camden

picture of Crown and Goose, Camden

Address: 100 Arlington Rd, Camden, London, NW1 7HP [map]
Phone: 020 7485 8008
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Nearest tube stations: Camden Town (0.1 miles), Mornington Crescent (0.3 miles), Chalk Farm (0.7 miles)


Nearest train stations: Camden Road (0.4 miles), London Euston (0.7 miles), Kentish Town West (0.7 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

I too understand that the days of the crown and Goose are numbered. This is my favourite pub in the whole of London and I'll really miss it. I've been coming here for years and despite the fact that I now live in Brentford I still come once a month. It's not that the food is brilliant (though it is ok) nor that the beer is so great. It's just the ambience. A great shame.
26 Mar 2008 22:15
Unfortunately I read in the Camden New Journal last week that, after 3 years, DE and J Levy have finally been given permission to bulldoze this pub and the adjacent snooker hall to make way for flats.
25 Mar 2008 11:13
Got a nice feel to it. It's either the decor or the big double-doors at the front, but it reminds of bars in Barcelona for some reason. Bit off the main Camden drag too, so has never seemed rammed when I've been.
27 Feb 2008 16:18

The Elephants Head, Camden

picture of The Elephants Head, Camden

Address: 224 Camden High Street, London, NW1 8QR [map]
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Nearest tube stations: Camden Town (0.1 miles), Kentish Town West (0.5 miles), Chalk Farm (0.5 miles)


Nearest train stations: Camden Road (0.2 miles), Kentish Town West (0.5 miles), Kentish Town (0.7 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Stopped last weekend for a quick beer, very crowded, good atmospehere, but the pint of Fosters I had was awful - flat and badly kept.
25 Jun 2008 16:44
Had a really good night here last night. Excellent pub. Great staff, ok beer and great djs playing 10950s soul and rock and roll loved it. Keep it up.
10 May 2008 18:42
I use to go to this pub on a regular basis. However it has changed. The pub itself is fine, one of the best looking in Camden but the beer... Ohhhh. £3.15 for a pint of Fosters!!!! I wouldn't drink the stuff in there if i got paid £3.15 for it. The beer is digusting. And when i told the lady (think it is manageress) about the bad pint i got the most rude response. Telling me the pint's fine, even though it has no bubbles, and looks as if it has got a touch of milk in it and it smells. The taste is baaad! After she poured me the 2nd pint, she asked me to leave and don't come back. But at least i didn't have mould in my glass like the people at the next table who also complained not only about that, but also about the bad tasting flat pint they got. A shame really. Would be good to have people behind the bar who know at least when a pint smells and looks bad. As i said, it used to be absolutely fine pints in the pub. Maybe the management has changed.
2 Dec 2007 12:38

Sheephaven Bay, Camden

picture of Sheephaven Bay, Camden

Address: 2-3 Mornington Street, Camden, London, NW1 7QD [map]
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Nearest tube stations: Mornington Crescent (0.2 miles), Camden Town (0.3 miles), Euston Square (0.6 miles)


Nearest train stations: London Euston (0.5 miles), Camden Road (0.5 miles), London St Pancras (0.8 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Doesn't look much from the outside but surprisingly pleasant inside. Spacious and nicely refurbished. Big screens for the sport but the place manages not to be dominated by it. Beer's good and locals seem friendly. Overall a very good addition to an area with a lack of proper local pubs.
5 Aug 2008 13:02
Quite a decent attempt by Pat to recreate the interior of the Oxford Arms in his new place. A large interior with several component parts, and (per the Oxford Arms) large screens for sports-watching. Ale-wise, only London Pride I'm afraid, but I can forgive it that. Quiz night was excellent as ever - lots of the old faces from the Oxford Arms and good cheer all round. Free chips and sausages, but this pub serves food later than the Oxford did - I had the burger and chips and it wasn't bad at all.
23 Jul 2008 17:02
I've not been here yet, but am looking forward to doing so: this is the new pub of Pat Logue, legendary former landlord of the Oxford Arms. I hear he will be re-starting the quiz as well, which is good news. Pat's aim is to create a "community boozer": I'm optimistic he will succeed and in any case it can't be worse than the pub which previously stood on this site, which was awful.
10 Jul 2008 10:42

The Good Mixer, Camden

picture of The Good Mixer, Camden

Address: 30 Inverness Street, London, NW1 7HJ [map]
Phone: 020 7916 6176
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Nearest tube stations: Camden Town (0.1 miles), Mornington Crescent (0.5 miles), Kentish Town West (0.6 miles)


Nearest train stations: Camden Road (0.3 miles), Kentish Town West (0.5 miles), Kentish Town (0.8 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Now two ales (Sharps Special and GK Abbott - both warm).

Think the lustre of this place has long gone, it's living on memories. Time for a lick of paint, some maintenance and a rethink.
24 Jun 2008 13:44
Its called the Good Mixer because when the bulding was completed, the builders discovered that their cement mixer had been left in the cellar. They could'nt get it out - so they buried it in the cellar where part of it still sticks out. When they told their boss, he said 'that was a good mixer' and the name was given to the pub; this is true. However, the fact that the pub is next door to one of the biggest mens hostels in Britain tells its own story.
6 May 2008 14:59
Coke and speed, people shagging in the toilets, Andy Ross and his proteges, Coxon, 'Cat in the Hat', Mr Mustard & Nigel & Bruce, chasing young american and japanese girls, Scottie behind the bar, 'I wanna be your Dog' on the jukebox AHH those were the days.
23 Feb 2008 14:07

The Black Cap, Camden

picture of The Black Cap, Camden

Address: Camden High St, London, NW1 7JY [map]
Phone: 020 7428 2721
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Nearest tube stations: Camden Town (0.1 miles), Mornington Crescent (0.4 miles), Kentish Town West (0.7 miles)


Nearest train stations: Camden Road (0.3 miles), Kentish Town West (0.6 miles), London Euston (0.7 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Great place for a good value lunchtime meal, though if you go more than once a week the music will drive you mad: same songs, same tme, EVERY DAY!
Yes it's gay, some people are, get over it.
8 Apr 2008 12:14
Gay bar with club below. Upper bar open all day and serves food, very pub chain style with hit and miss quality and service. Large outdoor decked area for sitting out to eat, drink or smoke. Always seems busy even mid week lunch times. Close to the tube station easy to find next to carphone warehouse.
17 Jan 2008 21:45
I have only visited here once with my girlfiend who has recently moved to the area. She had been told by her female housemate that is was very male orientated. However we went there and had a really relaxing time. It was lunchtime and we sat outside on the terrace. We are vegetarians so had veggie options from the menu which were very good. Quick service at bar and serving food, nice atmosphere, mixed crowd (young and old males and females, families).
I can only judge on my one visit and the inside appeared quite dark but I would gladly go back again, especially when the weather is good and you can sit outside.
13 Sep 2007 16:42

More information

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