Expect a warm welcome, great craic (fun) and the best Guinness outside Ireland in London’s best Irish pubs. Come for the stout, the whiskey or the live music, and you’ll probably leave with new friends and a promise to return.
1. The Toucan
Pop your head into The Toucan just off Soho Square for an experience that can only be described as “Guinness galore.” Lean against walls covered in Guinness posters overlooked by a trio of the pub’s namesake toucans, or perch on a stool designed to look like a pint of the black stuff. This tiny Irish pub is always busy and along with a fine pint, you can try Guinness cocktails and a good choice of Irish whiskies.
Where: 19 Carlisle St, W1D 3BY
2. The Porterhouse
Serving a large range of craft beers, stouts, ales and porters, all lovingly brewed in Dublin, The Porterhouse is one of the biggest Irish pubs in London. Come for the big-screen sporting events, live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and one of the most spacious beer gardens in central London. This Irish pub also serves a range of bottled beers from across the globe and a great value Sunday lunch.
Where: 21-22 Maiden Ln, WC2E 7NA
3. Waxy O’Connor's
Choose from the gothic Church Bar, the fairytale Tree Room, or a cosy spot by the fire in the Cottage Bar in the cavernous Waxy O’Connor’s in the West End. Another rabbit-warren of an Irish pub, it features four bars over six floors and a range of hidden nooks and crannies. There’s plenty of sport, music every night and always a lively and welcoming crowd.
Where: 14-16 Rupert St, W1D 6DD
4. Waxy’s Little Sister
For a quieter experience, try O’Connor’s sister bar, Waxy’s Little Sister. With armchairs and an open fire, the Irish bar offers traditional Irish hospitality and food away from the hustle and bustle of its livelier neighbour. The upstairs sofa bar has great views over Wardour Street, and there is even a dumb waiter (a small lift) so you don’t have to run downstairs for that second round. The perfect place for a catch-up with friends or family.
Where: 20 Wardour St, W1D 6QG
5. Auld Shillelagh
Many believe this Stoke Newington stalwart is “the” Irish pub in London, and for good reason. Auld Shillelagh's staff serve an exceptional pint of Guinness in a pub with an authentic Irish atmosphere. The narrow space is usually packed, high-spirited and full of laughter, and the staff are so hospitable that they might even bring your well-poured pint of Guinness over to your table. Come early if you want a seat.
Where: 105 Stoke Newington Church St, N16 0UD
6. Skehan's
Take a walk on Telegraph Hill for sweeping views of the London skyline, then pop into Skehan’s in Nunhead for a Sunday roast or late afternoon pint. This distinctive, family-run Irish pub sits on a corner in an emerald green Victorian building strewn with flowers. Inside, it’s a cosy bolthole to nurse a pint, play some darts or pool, sit by the wood burner in winter or enjoy live music six nights a week. There’s a hidden garden and a surprisingly good menu of Thai food on offer. Worth the trip.
Where: 1 Kitto Rd, SE14 5TW
7. Mc & Sons
Hidden down a quiet back street in Southwark, Mc & Sons is a family affair with black-and-white photos, newspaper clippings and framed mementos crammed onto the walls. The traditional Irish pub also features worn wooden benches and stools, a cosy snug (a small private corner where women once drank unseen) and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. You might even find one of the eponymous Mc Elhinney family behind the bar.
Where: 160 Union St, SE1 0LH
8. Blythe Hill Tavern
Stop by the award-winning Blythe Hill Tavern, a Victorian boozer with a huge selection of ales, ciders and beers served by friendly staff in shirts and ties. The three tiny wood-panelled bars in this Irish pub offer a warm welcome, there’s live music every Thursday night, and a beer garden with a children’s play area making it a great choice for families.
Where: 319 Stanstead Rd, SE23 1JB
9. The Cow
Known for fantastic oysters and great Guinness, The Cow in Notting Hill is a far cry from a traditional Irish pub but you’ll still be in for a real Irish welcome. It’s more an upmarket gastropub which, despite its name, serves a fish-dominated menu. Go for the deluxe seafood platter if you’re feeling hungry.
Where: 89 Westbourne Park Rd, W2 5QH
10. The Faltering Fullback
Just a stone’s throw from Finsbury Park station, The Faltering Fullback is coined as the best Irish pub in north London – according to locals anyway. The cosy bar is a great place to watch the rugby, and the lovely garden is an early afternoon suntrap. While not as obviously Irish as some of the others on this list, the Guinness and garden make it a strong contender.
Where: 19 Perth Rd, Finsbury Park, N4 3HB
Explore the capital's pub scene further with a visit to the top riverside pubs in London. For those sunnier days, pop by the city's beer gardens or alternatively, enjoy an afternoon at a cosy pub.
