London’s best Irish pubs and bars

A backroad haven for those in the know in SE London, Skehan’s is the stuff of legend. Staff are warmly welcoming, the setting is rustic, there’s a beer garden at the back, a smoking deck at the front and an excellent Thai kitchen attached to keep punters well fed. It’s fuel for singalongs when folk bands play the pub or when its rip-roaring karaoke nights kick off. How Irish is it? Well The Pogues played a secret gig there recently, if that answers the question. 

Where to find it: 1 Kitto Road, Nunhead, SE14 5TW

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. You’ll find key GAA games screened here, as well as Ireland fixtures in the Six Nations tournament.

Where to find it: 105 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0UD

A London treasure, made up of three tiny, wood-panelled rooms, with a bar in each housing framed jockey portraits. The pumps have regularly changing, well-kept guest ales and these days, craft comes by the can. There’s Guinness, of course, a fair few Irish whiskies and trad music on Thursdays. Smart, tie-wearing bar staff are knowledgeable and friendly. And sports nights include screenings of the Six Nations rugby. Action-packed craic.

Where to find it: 319 Stanstead Road, Catford, SE23 1JB

A welcoming Irish pub inbetween Seven Sisters and Tottenham Hale. Come for the Guinness, stay for the majestic oil painting of the pub owners riding a horse through the Irish countryside. There’s a pool table and more often than not, you’ll find full throttle karaoke sessions happening right in front of the massive mural of Samuel Beckett on Friday nights. 

Where to find it: 158 Broad Lane, Tottenham, N15 4QJ

A cosy slice of (faux-)Irish pubbery in fancy Notting Hill, known for its good oysters and Guinness, The Cow is a rural hostelry as imagined by Disney – all cutesy cottage-style net curtains, Guinness adverts and glossy 1950s Technicolor paintwork.

Where to find it: 89 Westbourne Park Road, Notting Hill, W2 5QH

A cosy indie pub with Irish music sessions every Tuesday, The Lamb has a London edge too, though, acting as an Arsenal hotspot on match days and with local craft beers on tap. Don’t worry – of course they pour Guinness, as well as pints of mild. And you can get jars of cockles too, if you really want to score some cockney cred.

Where to find it: 54 Holloway Road, N7 8JL

Quinn’s looks a bit rough around the edges on the outside, and not much has changed indoors across the years, either. But many locals have stayed loyal this Camden legend, despite its landlord of 30 years Pat Quinn passing away in 2017. That’s probably because the Irish boozer manages to feel like a real sanctuary from the outside world. Plus, there’s a rotating selection of guest ales, and one of the longest lists of Belgian and German bottled beers you’ll find in the capital.

Where to find it: 65 Kentish Town Road, NW1 8NY

This never-changing Soho pub could easily be mistaken for a Guinness museum: publicity posters for the black stuff cover the walls, overlooked by a trio of birds. The Toucan is a bit faded and frayed around the edges, but it does a mean Black Velvet. And who cares what it’s like on the inside anyway, everyone just drinks on the street the moment spring arrives.

Where to find it: 19 Carlisle Street, Soho, W1D 3BY

An Irish pub, bar and restaurant on Mornington Street, just off Camden Town High Street. The main bar is decked with sports memorabilia signed by Celtic stars, making it an apt setting on match days. The Sheephaven’s food menu is a bit more best of British though, serving eggs and chips, sirloin and sarnies. 

Where to find it: 2 Mornington Street, Camden, NW1 7QD

Wood panels, stone walls and cushioned pews make Waxy O’Connors a characterful Irish bar. As expected, Irish beers are on offer, including Caffreys, Guinness and Rebel Red on tap. Waxy’s hosts regular sports screenings, and there’s live music from Wednesday to Sunday.

Where to find it: 14-16 Rupert Street, Chinatown, W1D 6DD

This Irish pub has long been a Finsbury Park favourite, and that’s 98 percent down to its amazing garden. But drinks are reasonably priced, the Thai food is good and it’s a sport-watchers paradise. Obviously, Irish teams dominate, especially when it comes to rugby. 

Where to find it: 19 Perth Road, Finsbury Park, N4 3HB

This Hendon pub is as legendary in the London Irish community. Among the standard pub grub fare you’ll find tasty trad soda bread. For St Patrick’s Day, be entertained by Irish dancing and live bands across two floors throughout the day.

Where to find it: 10 Church Rd, NW4 4EA

If the shamrock in this Hoxton pub’s logo doesn’t give away the fact that it’s Irish, how about the warm welcome? Howl at the Moon specialises in craft beers, real ale and cider as opposed to Guinness, and there’s live and traditional Irish music on weekends.

Where to find it: 178 Hoxton Street, Hoxton, N1 5LH

The Irish-family-run Mc & Sons pulls in the ex-pats. It’s a wood-clad space with framed photos and newspaper clippings paying homage to past generations. Come on a quiet evening for Thai grub and a pint of lager, or visit on Saturday folk nights when that famous Irish welcome is in full effect.  

Where to find it: 160 Union Street, Southwark, SE1 0LH