The best pubs in Stoke Newington

The Shillelagh is pretty legendary, often heralded as the best Irish pub outside of Ireland. Known for its exceptional Guinness, always poured with care, and occasional raucous entertainment, The Auld Shillelagh is the kind of pub where the wine list runs to ‘red or white’, and the staff are so matey and hospitable that they’ll offer to bring your Guinness over to your table. 

A towering Grade II listed building on the borders between Stoke Newington and Dalston (but a crucial N16 postcode and its Mayville Estate location means Stokey is this brilliant boozer's true home), the Army & Navy is a lowkey north London icon. There's rowdy karaoke on weekends, but during the week this is where locals, students, and pintspeople of all ages come together. Lovely. 

With its flagstone floors and old school Truman Brewery style wood-panelled interior, The Rose & Crown scores high in the classic London pub stakes. Tables outside always seem to be busy (and not just in the summer), and despite being at a main road junction boast pretty special views of some of N16's most historic buildings. Best of all though is the roaring fire, the perfect place to gather during deepest darkest winter. 

In the running for the smallest pub in London, you'll find Macintosh Ales' ale house in a Steptoe and Son-worthy stable yard on a Stoke Newington side street. Opened in 2023, this tiny one room boozer is truly independent, and there are only two kinds of small batch beer on offer, both made by Macintosh Ales - which started life in a garage in 2018. It's only open Thurs-Sun, but on sunny afternoons locals in the know spill out onto the cobbles outside. A gem. 

Somewhat off the beaten track, The Shakespeare is a cracking local with an island bar, a banging jukebox, affordable tipples and a pub quiz well worth getting involved in.

Many feared the worst when the much-loved Jan’s Belgian beer bar shut up shop. But this posh pub has taken over scores on all fronts for its whopping array of craft ales and fancy gastro grub, including a popular Sunday roast.

A brilliant backstreet boozer that doesn’t get too crowded despite its sterling line-up of craft beer, fine wine and restaurant-standard grub. The interior is stunning, but a petite paved garden at the back suits the summer drinkers just as well.

An adored beer haven known for representing breweries from all around the UK, settle in for a proper beery session at the Butchers. Cask and keg are given equal standing, and the pub is just as celebrated for its hearty Sunday roasts.

A huge corner boozer where Stoke Newington High Street meets lah-di-dah Church Street, The Three Crowns is an ever-reliable option in N16. Food is a strong point, with a designated dining room area with great big glass windows looking out onto all the local comings and goings. But if you just want a drink, veer left upon entry and grab a Chesterfield sofa and the days papers for a sensible solo session.

Locals might remember it as the Daniel Defoe (the Robinson Crusoe novelist was a one-time Stokey resident), but The Clarence Tavern is now in it's most bougie phase; as a high-end gastropub. Food is seasonal, swanky, and pricey (the sharing lamb was £69 last time we checked), but extremely tasty. Not a pub for sinking endless pints, but rather impressing your new partner's posh parents.

One of the grandest buildings on Church Street, the sprawing Red Lion – with its mighty fine decked beer garden at the rear and epic pizza menu – still has the faint whiff of a student union bar about it, but it's still one of the best options around for big games, with massive TVs for sport.

A gastropub with a strong gin line-up, approachable staff and an open-door policy to four-legged friends, the Lady Mildmay down in Newington Green scores on all fronts. But it’s Sunday lunch that impresses the most. You’d best book ahead.

With its posh pub décor and quiet backstreet location, The Londesborough is a good bet for evenings when you want to fit in a spot of refined drinking. Cosy up on sofas by the fire or sit up at the table for some posh pub grub.