19 of the best Irish pubs in London

If you are of Irish descent, you may well be familiar with ‘The Irish Pub Song’ by The High Kings. The famously catchy lyrics proclaim that 'wherever you go around the world you'll find an Irish pub' – let us tell you, they aren’t wrong. Over the years, we’ve discovered Irish pubs everywhere from Bali to Bahrain Airport (true story) and it seems that the global appetite for a bit of craic shows no signs of slowing down. This is even more true in the capital; London’s best Irish pubs span almost every neighbourhood.

When it comes to enjoying some Gaelic hospitality in our own city, the fleet of Irish pubs London has to offer are the closest thing to an authentic slice of the Emerald Isle that you’ll find in the capital. What is the appeal of Irish pubs over their British-or-otherwise counterparts?

Well, the answer to that is probably that London’s best Irish pubs are famous for offering up a dose of warm hospitality, Guinness and Murphy's galore, traditional pub grub, and pint-friendly Thai food. You will also often find that the best Irish bars in London host live music, such as traditional folk bands and more.

After a long day at work spent dreaming of a pint of Guinness, you’re probably left wondering 'if only there were some Irish pubs near me?' They can be hard to track down if you don’t know where to look, but we’re happy to inform you that there is probably the perfect option just a short distance away. Whether you’re after the best Irish pub in Soho or want to experience the buzz of Covent Garden’s Irish pub scene, London’s flock of Irish drinking dens stretch far and wide, all the way from central through to the capital’s more leafy neighbourhoods.

Next time you find yourself craving a Guinness, head to our pick of the best Irish bars in London, which are full of pints, Tayto crisps and good craic.

Gibneys, Shoreditch

What: Richard Corrigan’s first London restaurant outside of Mayfair - the lovely Daffodil Mulligan in Shoreditch - comes equipped with a moody basement bar where you can often find live folk bands playing on the weekends. The Gibney family has been in the pub game for nearly a century now. So naturally, Gibney's is well stocked with Tayto crisps and Club Orange, while the Guinness might be some of the best you’ll find this side of the Irish Sea.
Where: 70-74 City Road, EC1Y 2BJ
Book now: Gibney's

The Auld Shillelagh, Stoke Newington

What: Having served the people of Stokey for over 20 years, The Auld Shillelagh is a bit of a local institution. Expat staff from Roscommon will make you feel welcome, while top-quality Guinness, decent pub grub and the occasional live band add to the pub’s appeal. If the weather’s playing ball, check out the beer garden at the back for a pint in the sunshine. There’s no doubt that this is an Irish pub, and while you’ll find the typical nick-nacks and endearing memorabilia, what makes this one of the best Irish pubs in London is the effortlessly warm atmosphere.
Where: 105 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0UD
Book now: The Auld Shillelagh

The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park

What: Down a quiet backstreet you’ll find charming local boozer The Faltering Fullback, Drenched in ivy, it boasts a rather magical back garden with a many-tiered, boozy tree house, vintage posters, and bric-a-brac galore. The inside space is multi-layered too, with a couple of bars, a large back room and a pool table. Sport is a passion here, so you can pick up a cue or watch the match on TV. As Irish pubs go, this is one of the most visually appealing, think bikes, guitars, and lights hanging from the ceiling, worn wood tables, panelling, and a cosy beer garden.
Where: 19 Perth Road, N4 3HB
Book now: The Faltering Fullback

Skehan’s Free House, Peckham

What: You know where you stand when a pub declares themselves, ‘purveyors of craic.’ It’s a bold title to award oneself, but Skehan’s Free House lives up to it. Even if you roll in on a quiet Monday evening you might find a rip-roaring jam session going down, and there are quiz and trad music nights too. You’ll also find a pool table, a multi-layered beer garden, and a great Thai restaurant here too. It’s got some of the finest bric-a-brac around, and even includes massive vintage cast iron fans above the bar. This pub is popular with all punters, so arrive early to bag a table.
Where: 1 Kitto Road, SE14 5TW
Book now: Skehan's Free House

Mc & Sons, Vauxhall

What: A traditional old Irish boozer, Mc & Sons is a cheerful and busy spot for good beers and Thai food. Outside you’ll find a secluded beer garden with umbrellas and heat lamps, while the private room upstairs boasts its own private terrace. Every Friday and Saturday, the pub hosts traditional music nights where you can bring your own instrument and join in. It’s also open till late and has been known to implement a lock-in or two.
Where: 355 Kennington Lane, SE11 5QY
Book now: Mc & Sons

The Blythe Hill Tavern, Catford

What: The Blythe Hill Tavern sits between Forest Hill and Catford, and is known for serving a cracking pint of Guinness - a must for any reputable Irish pub in the capital. You can revel in live Irish music on Thursdays, watch live sports on game days and whilst there’s not a food menu here to choose from, there is a pizza van outside and a substantial choice of snacks to tuck into whilst you knock back a pint or two.
Where: 319 Stanstead Road, SE6 4US
Book now: The Blythe Hill Tavern

The Toucan, Soho

What: Guinness may be a bit more creative with its adverts these days, but for a long time the Toucan was instantly recognisable as its advertising emblem. At this pub of the same name, you’ll find Guinness adverts all over the walls, while The Toucan is also home to a decent range of Irish whiskey. Food-wise, expect no-frills pub grub. It’s a Soho institution for over 20 years, serving up creamy Guinness and hosting impromptu renditions of ‘The Wild Rover’.
Where: 19 Carlisle Street, W1D 3BY
Book now: The Toucan

The Woodbine, Highbury

What: A warm and cosy Irish pub, The Woodbine feels as though it might have just stepped out of a 19th century period drama. Serving Guinness since 1919 it’s lit by candlelight, and furnished with vintage tables and chairs, it’s as intimate and relaxed as you can get. During the week a great Thai menu comes flowing from the kitchen, while on weekends guests can expect more traditional pub fare. While the name might refer to the honeysuckle plant (also called woodbine), it’s more likely to be a reference to Woodbine Cigarettes - a historically popular brand in Ireland.
Where: 215 Blackstock Road, N5 2LL
Book now: The Woodbine

Nancy Spains, Shoreditch

What: Set in a busy stretch in Shoreditch, Nancy Spains stands as one of the few (if not the only) to serve Murphy’s Irish Stout on tap instead of Guinness. It’s a more contemporary Irish pub experience, drawing on Prohibition-era allure, and hosting live music every night to create an up to date but cosy atmosphere. The cocktail menu is also inspired by Irish culture and writers, featuring a signature Irish coffee and an ‘Oscar Wilde’ number and a Barry’s Tea infused cocktail
Where: 128-130 Curtain Road, EC2A 3AQ
Book now: Nancy Spains

The Cow, Bayswater

What: Following a refurb in 2015, the upstairs dining room at The Cow is now a much smarter affair than it has been historically, serving oysters and seafood platters alongside more traditional pub grub such as beef and Guinness pie. If you’re after a relaxed experience though, you’ll find it in the downstairs bar, which serves all of the usual drinks in a setting that remains pleasantly scruffy.
Where: 89 Westbourne Park Road, W2 5QH
Book now: The Cow

Waxy O’Connor’s, Covent Garden

What: There are some Londoners who would roll their eyes at Waxy O’Connor’s inclusion in this list, and it is true that the Covent Garden boozer isn’t the most authentic of Irish drinking dens. Nonetheless, this is a pub with plenty of character (complete with a massive Beech tree and confession booth) and it’s hard to beat Waxy’s central location right by Piccadilly Circus. Plus, the pub’s impressive selection of over 100 Irish whiskies is worth exploring too.
Where: 14-16 Rupert Street, W1D 6DD
Book now: Waxy O’Connors

The Sheephaven Bay, Camden

What: There’s no mistaking The Sheephaven Bay in Camden for anything other than a lively Irish pub. With two bars, three separate seating areas, a conservatory and a beer garden, there’s plenty of room inside, as well as 14" plasma screens showing live sport every weekend. Naturally, you’ll find team scarves and shirts from Irish football, hurling, and rugby teams pinned to the ceiling.
Where: 2 Mornington Street, NW1 7QD
Book now: The Sheephaven Bay

The Porterhouse, Covent Garden

What: The Porterhouse may be one of the largest Irish pubs London has to offer, but it still manages to feel intimate. Stretched across three floors, the venue is home to both a cocktail bar and its Dingle Whiskey Bar, while beers are sourced straight from Dublin. As you’d expect from the name, this one boasts a great selection of stouts, porter, and ales on tap. If you’re feeling peckish, fill your boots with The Porterhouse’s menu of wraps, pizzas and burgers.   
Where: 21-22 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NA
Book now: The Porterhouse

Tir Na Nog, Earlsfield

What: Tir Na Nog translates from Irish as ‘land of eternal youth’. And while you may end up feeling like a teen again after a few hours in this pub, the name actually refers to Celtic otherworld - an afterlife island paradise and supernatural realm of pre-Christian tradition. The name is fitting, Tir Na Nog is bags of fun, with sports games regularly being shown on big screens and a pool table too. If that’s not enough to tempt you, the knock-down prices (from £3 a pint) should seal the deal.  
Where: 107 Garratt Lane, SW18 4DW
Book now: Tir Na Nog

Waxy's Little Sister, Soho

What: If you’ve ever experienced the wonder of Waxy O’Connor, then you’ll need no persuading when it comes to Waxy’s Little Sister. This is a slightly more chilled alternative to it's Rupert Street sibling, and offers all of the comforts from sofas to sink into, to a roaring fireplace. There’s even a dumbwaiter to deliver your drinks if you’re sat upstairs, so you don’t have to make the journey yourself.
Where: 20 Wardour Street, W1D 6QG
Book now: Waxy’s Little Sister

The Hemingford Arms, Islington

What: This old Irish boozer has been a staple of Islington life since 1855, and it still has all that old charm. You’ll see it from a mile away in the summer thanks to the verdant floral display, and inside there are two floors to explore, each sparingly decorated (compared to other Irish pubs) and fitted with homey seating. You’ll also find a good in-house Thai kitchen and a big function room perfect for private dining.
Where: 158 Hemingford Road, N1 1DF
Book now: The Hemingford Arms

Howl at the Moon, Hoxton

What: It’s easy to see why East Londoners have such a fondness for this Hoxton boozer - Howl at the Moon exudes a casual, fun-loving vibe that instantly makes you feel at home. Throw in quality beers on tap, surprisingly good (and affordable) food and plenty of live sport and music, and there’s lots to keep you coming back for more. If an on-trend crowd and a fun atmosphere are what you’re after from Irish pubs in London, Howl at the Moon is a reliable option.
Where: 178 Hoxton Street, N1 5LH
Book now: Howl at the Moon

Sir Colin Campbell, Kilburn

What: The Sir Colin Campbell has been a fixture of Kilburn High Road since 1898, and has long had deep ties with traditional Irish folk musicians, who still come to perform live here on the weekends. It’s managed by the descendants of Irish immigrants and offers a fine lineup of popular beers, ales, and brews. There are a few craft beers on offer too, as well as live sport, a great pub quiz and pie and mash courtesy of Pieminster.
Where: 264-266 Kilburn High Road, NW6 2BY
Book now: Sir Colin Campbell

The Lamb, Holloway

What: First built as a boozer in 1870, The Lamb is steeped in history. The pub you see before you now had a refurb in 2012 but it has retained a lot of the old detailing and aesthetics, giving The Lamb a comforting old-world feel. This is a real nuts-and-bolts pub - 12 keg lines and 3 cask lines, with indie brewers like Five Points, Howling Hops, Signature Brew and By The Horns all featuring. There’s no food but you can bring your own along for the frequent and raucous live music nights.
Where: 54 Holloway Road, N7 8JL
Book now: The Lamb

If you don’t discriminate when it comes to drinking dens, check out our pick of London’s coolest bars, or why not take a look at London's best wine bars, if you're into fine wines and even finer cuisine?