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North West London pub and bar guide

Here's a guide to the pubs and bars of North West London - 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 Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak

picture of The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak

Address: 139, Highgate Rd, London, NW5 1LE
Phone: 020 7485 1511
See full pub details


Nearest tube stations: Gospel Oak (0.2 miles), Tuffnell Park (0.4 miles), Kentish Town (0.5 miles)


Nearest train stations: Gospel Oak (0.2 miles), Kentish Town (0.5 miles), Kentish Town West (0.7 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Looks nothing from the outside but looks can be deceptive. Bohemian interior without being pretentious. Excellent range of beers from smaller breweries and helpful friendly bar staff. Would definitely return.
3 Oct 2013 19:57
Enjoyed it very much. Smallish pub but extensive drinks selection and good atmosphere. Slightly younger crowd when we went. I'd definitely return.
3 Jun 2013 13:21
Now for review of the pub, after going last week. Was quiet-ish at first due to most punters enjoying the warm evening in the beergarden. Pianist started up about 8pm with steadily more people coming in, and atmosphere livened accordingly. Seemed at its busiest by around 9-10, comfortably full but not congested. Live piano session ended around same time replaced by equally enjoyable vinyl selection behind the bar. Had brief chat with guy over from Canada who was going through the 'range' of beers with a large group he'd brought with him. All beers great but Fyne Ales Jarl had to top the list. I just wish I could take the pub back north with me and have it as my local. Still 10/10
11 May 2013 18:47

The George IV, Kentish Town

picture of The George IV, Kentish Town

Address: 76 Willes Road, London, NW5 3DL
Phone: 020 7267 1117
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Nearest tube stations: Kentish Town West (0.1 miles), Kentish Town (0.3 miles), Chalk Farm (0.5 miles)


Nearest train stations: Kentish Town West (0.2 miles), Kentish Town (0.3 miles), Gospel Oak (0.5 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Have been coming here for 20 years and still haven't plucked up the courage to chat up the most attractive bar person in north London. You've noticed I've avoided talking about the beer and ambiance, which is strictly average. But the clientele is true Kentish Town and deserves your custom for that reason alone. Family legend holds that my Granddad attempted to 'nick' a car from outside this hostelry after leaving a wedding reception held here in the early 50's. Luckily he was too drunk to gain entry. A proud moment for us all.
9 Jan 2014 01:13
Stunning exterior to this boozer. Visited on a relatively quiet Thursday night when one bunch of regulars were happily chatting about a recent Arsenal match whilst another had a humorous debate on the merits of Margate over Alicante. Definite regulars place given its back street location but the friendly Irish landlord makes an effort to make everyone welcome. Good selection of ales, which were very well kept. The interior is dark and largely oak but this adds to the back street feel of the place.

8/10
10 Oct 2013 01:17
it's a fine pub. though I no longer live in the area I have a number of family anecdotes relating to this pub that bring me back on a regular basis. Some staff have been there for years and add to the atmosphere of the place. Having said that I rarely have more than a pint here while I read my paper and reminisce.
19 Jun 2013 22:57

The Holly Bush, Hampstead

picture of The Holly Bush, Hampstead

Address: 22, Holly Mount, London, NW3 6SG
Phone: 020 7435 2892
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Nearest tube stations: Hamsptead (0.1 miles), Finchley Road (0.8 miles), Finchley Road and Frognal (0.8 miles)


Nearest train stations: Finchley Road & Frognal (0.6 miles), Hampstead Heath (0.6 miles), West Hampstead (0.9 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

One of the best pubs in London in my humble opinion. Cool location - it feels like a country village pub. Try to grab an outside seat during the summer months and watch folk stroll by. Good selection of beers and wonderful old style decor. My friend had his 50th birthday in the upstairs room and we were well looked after.
20 Apr 2014 11:45
Expensive, rude staff, rude customers.

One to generally avoid.
19 Apr 2014 16:51
Nice looking pub inside and out. Plenty of corners to hide away in.
It's a pity that on my visit i was asked if i wanted a table for 2 as i ordered drinks. They seemed to be pushing the food angle at you.
I had the Butcombe Bitter which was only just average. I have had better. Still a nice pub to visit though.
28 Aug 2013 19:51

The New Inn, St Johns Wood

picture of The New Inn, St Johns Wood

Address: 2 Allisten Rd, London, NW8 6LA
Phone: 020 77220726
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Nearest tube stations: St. Johns Wood (0.4 miles), Swiss Cottage (0.7 miles), Chalk Farm (0.9 miles)


Nearest train stations: South Hampstead (0.7 miles), London Marylebone (1 mile), Kilburn High Road (1.2 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Has its own sweet shop and Gorilla toilet seats, need I say anymore?
28 Jul 2013 20:08
I cycle past this pub every day but on went in for the first time today for Saturday lunch. I think it has been refurbished during the past year or so. Greene King beers were in good condition. Very good food, upmarket menu, and the barman was friendly. Prices were reasonable: not cheap and not expensive. The pub appears to have its own King Charles spaniel which sits on a bar stool looking at customers. Best of all the pub never looks too busy, so a good place to relax away from the busier streets.
8 Jun 2013 19:20
Its a bit like the Tardis in reverse, much smaller on the inside than on the outside!
1 Jun 2013 16:06

The Lord Palmerston, Dartmouth Park

picture of The Lord Palmerston, Dartmouth Park

Address: 33, Dartmouth Park Hill, London, NW5 1HU
Phone: 020 7485 1578
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Nearest tube stations: Tuffnell Park (0.3 miles), Archway (0.5 miles), Gospel Oak (0.6 miles)


Nearest train stations: Gospel Oak (0.6 miles), Upper Holloway (0.6 miles), Kentish Town (0.7 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Good to be back in this place again. Much brightened up. Had a great pint of Sambrooks & a fish cake for lunch.

Both simply delicious. nice to see the basics done right.
30 Aug 2013 17:54
I was saddened by my visit to the Lord P. It has always had airs and graces but I feel this is getting just a little tired now. I found the staff to be a difficult to engage with, aloof might describe them well, it feels like there is culture to which they all subscribe, except Ms Bluehair who was wonderfully kind and charming, do they not enjoy working there? A smile wouldn't hurt - obviously a fish rots from the head down. too cool for school, lost its charm. Shame really considering the amount we spent on food and drink bringing our party there.
11 May 2013 09:44
Surprised by some of the reviews below, although most are pretty out of date. I've always found landlord Steve and his staff here very friendly and helpful and the beer selection impressive and well kept. It is a little bit gastro I guess (although far less so than many others in this area) which isn't really my thing either but it's easy to avoid that if you just want a pint or 2 by staying in the main front bar and avoiding the (separate) dining room. Very dog friendly too (just down the road from the heath) plus the music's some of the best you'll hear in any London pub, always a top notch selection - I heard everything from Bob Dylan to Northern soul via Studio 1 and Herman Dune on my last visit. Top notch beer and fine tunes in a smart but not too un-pub-like local.
11 Oct 2011 22:23

The Assembly House, Kentish Town

picture of The Assembly House, Kentish Town

Address: 292-294 Kentish Town Rd, London, NW5 2TG
Phone: 020 7485 2031
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Nearest tube stations: Kentish Town (0 miles), Kentish Town West (0.4 miles), Tuffnell Park (0.4 miles)


Nearest train stations: Kentish Town (0.1 miles), Kentish Town West (0.5 miles), Gospel Oak (0.6 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

Recent visit to get out of the rain and it was a million times better than the last visit. It was packed out and couldn't get served, only 2 people behind the bar but the beer looked good (More than it did on last visit), left and went to the Pineapple where it was also wedged. However the Pineapple had 5 people behind the smaller bar and service was instant!
30 Dec 2013 13:16
Was in here last Thursday waiting for a mate.Had a pinbt of the Hackney best bitter.Superd drop of Ale.
So nice i necked it abnd ordered another/.
Went back this wednesday and it was gone...Shame.The Ale i had wasn't bad, but not a patch on thye Hackney best.

Not a bad boozer, very foody,but still a pub.
18 Oct 2013 14:25
I was in this pub last weekend and was very surprised to see St Mungo Lager, I've only ever seen it served in the Glasgow area before, recommended if you like German style beer. Good range of real ales too and friendly bar staff, right next to Kentish Town underground station, worth a visit.
8 Jun 2013 17:20

The Moon Under Water, Colindale

Address: 10, Varley Parade, Colindale, London, NW9 6RR
Phone: 020 8200 7611
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Nearest tube station: Colindale (0.6 miles)


Nearest train stations: Hendon (0.8 miles), Mill Hill Broadway (1.9 miles), Cricklewood (2.8 miles)


Reviews by BITE users:

10 posts now from mac - all moaning about the Colindale Moon. And giving advice!

If you hate the place so much, why bother going in?
10 Feb 2014 13:34
twele violent micks not allowed in the moon hooray! But where does this scum come from. Is there a local bog around here
10 Feb 2014 13:23
Bog standard Weatherspoons. Full of old Irish alcoholics sipping pints, Eastern Europeans on a bindge with the obligatory sprinkling of bevied up teens. Absolutely no reason to visit except for the real ale, only pub in Colindale that sells, or the price.
6 Oct 2013 02:22

More information

Want to find out more about pubs in North West London? Why not have a look at our advanced pub search or full text pub search? You might also want to browse pubs by county or region. Or have some fun with the random pub crawl generator.