Camden pubs

A rock 'n' roll watering hole off the beaten Camden track, The Black Heart falls somewhere between an American biker bar and a classic British rock pub. For the thirsty there's a good range of local beers, and live music – like many a Camden pub – is a given.

The very first London outing for the Aberdeenshire brewer, Brewdog Camden brought their punky agenda to a punky part of town. Browse beers from the brand or from London breweries and far beyond. Pub grub is the burger kind, and you can run it off after – a local running club regularly meets here.

Time Out readers love the Colonel for its unrivalled Sunday roast and its old-school ambience. It’s tucked down the backstreet near Camden Road station and, since 2017, does a strong trade in gin. There’s over 60 types to try on the drinks list.

A newcomer to the Camden scene but a part of the well-established Draft House chain, this pub champions local rock ‘n’ roll heritage just as much as it supports pint-drinking. Check out its mural dedicated to Camden music scene then check out the many craft beers pouring.

The Dublin Castle is one of a circuit of London venues that make up the proving ground for any up-and-coming band. It's dim and far from salubrious: upholstered couches; mirrors dotted with fingerprints and dog-eared drinks promotions. Posters all over the walls hint at the bands who've come through here – from Madness to Blur.

For the best beer garden in the area, take a trip down Mornington Terrace and find the Edinboro Castle stretching back beside the road and hosting a whole lot of picnic benches. There’s shelter and heaters for colder months too. Inside, expect continental lagers and a hearty food menu.

Located just beyond the lock, the Hawley Arms is a vast Victorian boozer that has risen from the ashes of the 2008 'Great fire of Camden'. Its biggest claim to fame is that the late Amy Winehouse once pulled pints behind the bar. It’s not quite as rockin’ as it once was, but live music prevails alongside pub lunches and tourist traffic.

Known for being a cosy and well-loved watering hole, The Lady Hamilton is a Kentish Town favourite. With a list of creative craft beers, a classic rock soundtrack and decor that makes you feel like you're in your own home, Lady H is the perfect spot for a casual pint. 

The bass notes pounding through the pub floor into the soles of your shoes, the tattooed twentysomethings, the scattering of gob-smacked students from the continent – it could only be Camden. This old local is a DJ and music venue with room for a serious number of punters in the main bar, the large garden (accessed via a short flight of steps) and a sassy upstairs space. Expect barbecues in summer and pie and a pint deals in the week.

This garish-looking yellow-and-blue boozer is a characterful reminder of how the area once was. It’s an Irish pub with an Irish welcome, which manages to feel like a real sanctuary from the outside world. It lost its famed landlord Pat Quinn, who sadly passed away at the start of 2017, but still remains in the family for now.