Jezza's Top Picks

My 'Top picks' are the outstanding beer places in London at any given moment. Here you will normally find something exceptional or out of the ordinary - so a larger than average beer range; usually a good mix of London and UK beers as well as imports; top quality service and a good ambience and/or surroundings. In short, these pubs will all be offering the best that can be found in the London beer scene at the moment.

Jezza lives in South West London. You can follow him on twitter as @bonsvoeux1 or read his twitter feed below

Note that we regularly update what constitutes a top pick so places can be relegated from the list if their beer range dips or there are other significant changes.


Beer Merchants Tap A Jezza top pick A Steve top pick  WiFi available New entry in the Guide in 2018 Dog Friendly Specializes in Belgian Beers Bottle shop with onsite drinking

Taproom and bottle shop bar with an outstanding range of beer.


Cask Pub and Kitchen A Jezza top pick A Steve top pick  Full menu Live Music WiFi available Original listing in the Guide

Specialist beer pub, one of the top destinations in town.


The first and best Craft Beer Co pub.


Ghost Whale (Brixton) A Jezza top pick A Steve top pick  WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers New entry in the Guide in 2017 Bottle shop with onsite drinking

Bottle shop bar with over 400 beers.


Ghost Whale (Putney) A Jezza top pick A Steve top pick  WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers New entry in the Guide in 2019 Dog Friendly Bottle shop with onsite drinking

Bottle shop bar near East Putney station.


House of Hammerton A Jezza top pick  Full menu Regularly has London brewed beers New entry in the Guide in 2017 Dog Friendly

The first pub from Hammerton Brewery.


Dutch bar in the heart of Bermondsey's beer mile.


Bottle shop/bar in a railway arch near Bethnal Green tube.


Pembury Tavern A Jezza top pick  Full menu WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers Brewery tap, may have limited hours Original listing in the Guide Dog Friendly

Classic pub, now a Five Points pub/tap room.


Red Hand A Jezza top pick A Steve top pick  Full menu WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers New entry in the Guide in 2019

Another excellent pub from the Graceland group.


Wonderful pub selling beers and ciders from small UK independent breweries.


Star and Garter A Jezza top pick A Steve top pick  Regularly has London brewed beers New entry in the Guide in 2017 Dog Friendly

Traditional pub on Bromley High Street, now serving a superb range of beers.


Sussex Arms A Jezza top pick  Full menu Live Music WiFi available Original listing in the Guide Dog Friendly

Outstanding pub near Twickenham Green.


Sutton Arms A Jezza top pick A Steve top pick  Regularly has London brewed beers New entry in the Guide in 2019 Dog Friendly

Traditional pub with a modern beer range.


The Axe A Jezza top pick  Full menu Regularly has London brewed beers New entry in the Guide in 2017 Dog Friendly

Seriously excellent pub from the people behind the Kings Arms, E2.


The Bear, Paddington A Jezza top pick A Steve top pick  Full menu WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers New entry in the Guide in 2022

Craft Beer Co pub right by Paddington Station.


The Bull & Finch A Jezza top pick  Live Music Regularly has London brewed beers Brewpub. New entry in the Guide in 2019 Dog Friendly

An excellent bar right opposite Gipsy Hill station - and now a brewpub.


The Harp A Jezza top pick A Steve top pick  WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers Original listing in the Guide

One of the best pubs in London, now lovingly cared for by Fullers.


The Hop Locker A Jezza top pick  Full menu Regularly has London brewed beers New entry in the Guide in 2015 Dog Friendly Bottle shop with onsite drinking

Fantastic bottle shop bar on the South Bank.


The Hope A Jezza top pick  Full menu Original listing in the Guide

Multi-award winning community freehouse owned by local co-operative.


Excellent corner pub now under the same ownership as the Sutton Arms.


Wonderful traditional Harvey's pub.


The Rusty Bucket Pub A Jezza top pick  Live Music WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers Micropub New entry in the Guide in 2018 Dog Friendly

Characterful independent freehouse.


The Trafalgar A Jezza top pick  WiFi available Original listing in the Guide Dog Friendly

Tiny back street local close to South Wimbledon station.


Honourable Mention

These pubs are not quite (yet) to the level of a Top Pick, but they are ones to watch. They are very much worth a visit if you have the time.

Busy and thriving tap room in a railway arch.


The Antelope (Surbiton)  Jezza Honourable Mention Full menu Live Music WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers New entry in the Guide in 2014 Dog Friendly

Smart but comfy Big Smoke pub.


Highly impressive bottle shop bar, plus burgers.


Bottle shop bar and burger place, all in one.


Back street local transformed into excellent beer focused pub.


Cloudwater Tap Room  Jezza Honourable Mention Steve Honourable Mention WiFi available Brewery tap, may have limited hours New entry in the Guide in 2018 Dog Friendly

London tap room for the excellent Manchester brewery.


The Cock Tavern  Jezza Honourable Mention Regularly has London brewed beers Brewpub. Original listing in the Guide

A proper pub from the people behind the Southampton Arms.


Craft Beer Co's most central venue.


Classic east London pub right next to Limehouse DLR station.


Dovetail  Jezza Honourable Mention Full menu Original listing in the Guide Specializes in Belgian Beers

Belgian bar with over 100 Belgian beers.


Lovely one roomed, light and airy pub close to Angel station.


Euston Tap  Jezza Honourable Mention Original listing in the Guide Dog Friendly

Modern beer bar at Euston Station.


Filly Brook  Jezza Honourable Mention Full menu Regularly has London brewed beers New entry in the Guide in 2022 Dog Friendly

Excellent bar in a former scout hut.


The Green Goddess  Jezza Honourable Mention WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers Brewpub. New entry in the Guide in 2023 Dog Friendly

Serious beer pub, soon to be a brewpub.


Grosvenor Arms  Jezza Honourable Mention Full menu Regularly has London brewed beers Brewpub. New entry in the Guide in 2019 Dog Friendly

Large corner pub half way between Stockwell and Brixton. Note that Affinity Brew Co ceased in March 2024


Stylish beer shop specialising in beer, hot sauce and vinyl.


The Robin  Jezza Honourable Mention Full menu WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers New entry in the Guide in 2023 Dog Friendly

Cosy corner pub near Crouch Hill overground station.


The Kentish Belle  Jezza Honourable Mention WiFi available Micropub New entry in the Guide in 2018 Dog Friendly

Micropub serving cask ales and an impressive range of bottled beers.


Mondo Tap House  Jezza Honourable Mention WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers Brewery tap, may have limited hours New entry in the Guide in 2015 Dog Friendly

Stylish, modern tap room.


London outpost for one of the best breweries in the UK.


Modern tap room on the Olympic Park.


Bar under the railway arches at Vauxhall.


Old Fountain  Jezza Honourable Mention Full menu Live Music WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers Brewpub. Original listing in the Guide

Traditional old boozer just off City Road, now with its own brewery.


Pelt Trader  Jezza Honourable Mention WiFi available Original listing in the Guide Dog Friendly

City sister pub to Euston Tap and siblings.


The Queen's Head  Jezza Honourable Mention Steve Honourable Mention Live Music WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers Original listing in the Guide

Lovely traditional pub, comfortable and oozing atmosphere.


Hackney Church Brew Co.  Jezza Honourable Mention Full menu WiFi available Regularly has London brewed beers Brewpub. New entry in the Guide in 2018 Dog Friendly

Spacious brewpub under the railway arches in the centre of Hackney.


Stormbird A Steve top pick  Jezza Honourable Mention Original listing in the Guide

Highly impressive specialist beer bar.


Bottle shop bar right by Clock House station.


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