London's top 50 bars and pubs

Real ale & good beer

Bricklayers Arms

Bricklayers Arms
Putney's oldest boozer was named ‘Greater London Pub of the Year 2007’ by the Campaign for Real Ale, and prides itself on an unswerving dedication to the glorious ales of Timothy Taylor. It's the only London pub to serve Taylor’s lesser-known gems on hand-pull. Golden Pride, Dark Mild, Ram Tam and Best Bitter: they’re all here and kept in immaculate condition.
The Bricklayers Arms, 32 Waterman St, SW15 1DD (020 8789 0222) Putney Bridge tube or Putney rail.
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Jerusalem Tavern
You’ll find a range of interesting beers chalked up behind the small bar at the Jerusalem Tavern, from the always-popular Honey Porter and Golden Ale to seasonal favourites and fruit brews. But it’s not a beer bores’ establishment and is justly popular with punters of all ages and occupations.
Jerusalem Tavern, 55 Britton St, EC1M 5UQ (020 7490 4281/www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk). Farringdon tube/rail.
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Rake
Rake is just one tiny room (less than 100sq ft) and a canopied, heated patio adjunct. There's draught pints of German Veltins (a fine pilsner) and Belgian Kriek (a lip-smacking cheery beer) on draught and a selection of more than 100 bottled beers.There are also ciders, perrys, jenevers and schnapps; pork pies and crisps make up the uncomplicated snack list.
Rake, 14 Winchester Walk, SE1 9AG (020 7407 0557) London Bridge tube/rail.
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Royal Oak
This handsome Victorian pub is the only London outpost of the long-serving Harveys brewery in Sussex. As you’d hope, the ales (four to six of ’em) are all in splendid nick; there’s always an extremely drinkable mild among the choice. The straightforward pub grub is very decent and priced extremely keenly. Perfect, essentially.
Royal Oak, 44 Tabard St, SE1 4JU (020 7357 7173) Borough tube.
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Sultan
Deserved winner of Time Out’s Best Pub award in 2005, the Sultan's an absolute gem – and the Wiltshire-based Hop Back Brewery’s only London pub. There’s GFB, Entire Stout and the much-acclaimed Summer Lightning, along with various bottled ales. Darts and dominoes are the only sports, and there's a quiz on Tuesday night.
Sultan, 78 Norman Rd, SW19 1BT (020 8542 4532) Colliers Wood or South Wimbledon tube.
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Wenlock Arms
This is a pub of the old school: gaudy carpet, friendly mutts and a rough-around-the-edges vibe. There’s a cricket team, a football team, a Thursday night quiz, bands at the weekend and a hotchpotch crowd of fiercely loyal regulars. But real ales are the Wenlock’s main USP. You’ll find a changing menu of up to eight speciality brews.
Wenlock Arms, 26 Wenlock Rd, N1 7TA (020 7608 3406/www.wenlock-arms.co.uk) Old St tube/rail/55 bus.
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