5 incredible pubs in London worth getting off the sofa for this weekend

Pop a coat on and get yourself down to the pub – specifically, one of these (Picture: Getty Images) I’m not a fan of Halloween. I don’t like dressing up and I definitely don’t like being scared. What I do like doing, however, is having a drink with my friends. And if I’m going to peel myself off the sofa this weekend and finally press pause on my Sex and The City marathon, I’m taking myself to one of these pubs. TimeOut recently released a collection of their favourite 50 pubs in the capital. Dotted all across the city, there’s a top tier boozer for locals in East, West, North, and South London. But there are only so many hours in a day. And, sadly, UK businesses don’t provide designated ‘pub leave’. So, we’ve curated a short list for you. In our opinion, whatever kind of atmosphere you’re after, these five won’t disappoint you. Coach & Horses, Soho Finding a pub you actually enjoy in Soho can be tricky. Some Londoners avoid the area altogether, uninterested in fighting their way to the front of a bar queue to pay £10 for a pint. The Coach & Horses has been a Soho institution for almost 200 years (Picture: Getty Images) But, if you are meeting friends in central London, the Coach & Horses should be your first pitstop. It’s lively, unpretentious, bursting with British history, and well-stocked. On the weekend, you will have to barge past an elbow or two to order your drink, but trust me, it’s worth it. The Old Nun’s Head, Nunhead Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Latest London news If I had to pick one pub that best celebrated queer culture in London, it would be The Old Nun’s Head. Described as a ‘home for all the huns’, it’s a total riot. The food is incredible (a special shout out to Slice Circle for providing some of the most delicious pizza I’ve ever had) and the vibes are top notch. This pub is perfect for a cosy Saturday afternoon debrief with the girls – paired with a bottle of wine and a slice of pepperoni pizza. That being said, before long, a Britney Spears playlist will be blasting through the speakers and you’ll wonder where the night went. The Pocket, Islington Small in size but not in spirit, The Pocket is a gorgeously cosy little pub just a six minute walk from Highbury and Islington Tube Station. What it lacks in proper seating it definitely makes up for in charm. The Pocket is the definition of small yet mighty (Picture: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images) When you step inside you’ll find a collection of stools, bare tables, dark mahogany panelled walls, and a green lacquered ceiling. There’s something incredibly ‘North London’ about The Pocket. It’s the kind of spot where you wouldn’t dare take a selfie or snap a candid pic of the bar (even though you really want to). The sausage rolls are cracker and the pricing is reasonable! Overall, it’s an incredibly solid boozer. Auld Shillelagh, Stoke Newington It’ll likely be a surprise to absolutely no-one that the Auld Shillelagh made it onto this list. One of the most popular Irish pubs in the city, it’s a total crowd pleaser. From the outside you might think the Auld Shillelagh is a teensy establishment. You might even be considering ditching your entire group just to make sure you and your boyfriend can get a seat. But, don’t stress. This pub actually has a massive beer garden, with plenty of patio heaters to go around. Trinity Arms, Brixton Now, I might be biased, but, I had to include the Trinity Arms in Brixton on this list. Brixton’s best local, this pub is where I intend to spend most of my weekends this winter. Nestled on the corner of a small residential square, it’s welcoming, quintessentially British, and even has Jubel Lime on draft. I mean, what more could you ask for? I hosted my 27th birthday at this pub and loved every second (Picture: Charlie Sawyer) I’ve hosted parties here, spent time with family, and enjoyed entire evenings alone drinking a glass of wine and reading my book. For me, it’s become a proper home away from home. If you check out any of the pubs on this list this weekend, I beg you to give my favourite a visit! Arrow MORE: ‘Our pub’s haunted by the ghost of a Civil War soldier who was gruesomely killed in the chimney’ Arrow MORE: Two men named by police investigating rape of girl, 13, in east London Arrow MORE: Ram raiders fled with Yves Saint Laurent goods worth £500,000 during spree