London has a lot of pubs - some of which are scary places to a different dimension where pickled eggs and carpets that smell like wee are standard. Finding a gem of a pub, therefore, is not an easy task.
You need to do your time living in the area, experience a lot of hellholes and network to find somewhere that feels like a second home.
Lucky for you, we've done the donkey work. Here is the HuffPost UK and AOL teams' recommendations of their favourite pubs:
London's Best Pubs
The Dolphin, Hackney(01 of10)
Nominated because they operate under the R Kelly rule. They must play an R Kelly song once every hour. A personal favourite is Next To Ignition. Also, there are no locks on the toilet doors - perhaps that's a downside.
The Dolphin, 65 Mare St, E8 3RH. Call 020 8985 3727
(credit:The Dolphin)
The Dolphin, 65 Mare St, E8 3RH. Call 020 8985 3727
(credit:The Dolphin)
Duke Of Edinburgh, Brixton(02 of10)
It has sit-by-the-fire-on-a-sofa cosy by day, but really fun, social and busy by night. And in the summer, they have one of the best beer gardens in London. So it ticks all boxes!
Duke of Edinburgh, 204 Ferndale Rd, Brixton SW9 8AG. Call 020 7326 030.
(credit:Duke Of Edinburgh)
Duke of Edinburgh, 204 Ferndale Rd, Brixton SW9 8AG. Call 020 7326 030.
(credit:Duke Of Edinburgh)
The Earl Ferrers, Streatham(03 of10)
With dark wooden interiors and cosy lighting, this is a gem of a find behind Streatham station. The music is always great - especially when it's Ramones time, and the wine list is brilliant. Plus they'll let you have a cheeky glass of Malbec even if you don't want the whole bottle. The staff make this pub what it is - they are friendly and helpful, and it never seems grungy or smells weird.
The Earl Ferrers, 22 Ellora Rd, SW16 6JF. Call 020 8835 8333
(credit:The Earl Ferrers)
The Earl Ferrers, 22 Ellora Rd, SW16 6JF. Call 020 8835 8333
(credit:The Earl Ferrers)
House Of Wolf, Islington(04 of10)
From dynamic ever changing chefs and menus to cabaret and performance running late into the night, this concept is the perfect night time indulgence Islington needed. Open til 4am at the weekends with dancers and musicians and magicians you can’t ask for much more.
House of Wolf, 181 Upper Street, Islington N1 1RQ. Call 0207 288 1470
(credit:House Of Wolf)
House of Wolf, 181 Upper Street, Islington N1 1RQ. Call 0207 288 1470
(credit:House Of Wolf)
The Lansdowne, Primrose Hill(05 of10)
A great place for pizza and casual beers, lively fun atmosphere and shabby chic vibe. A child-friendly pub on Sundays with friendly staff and crowd. A local celeb hang out too.
The Lansdowne, 90 Gloucester Ave London, NW1 8HX. Call 020 7483 0409
(credit:The Lansdowne)
The Lansdowne, 90 Gloucester Ave London, NW1 8HX. Call 020 7483 0409
(credit:The Lansdowne)
The Nags Head, Knightsbridge(06 of10)
Old world charm with a sunken bar, original Kray posters on the walls, and a good place to spot celebs.
The Nag's Head, Kinnerton Street, Knightsbridge, SW1X 8ED. Call 020 7235 1135
(credit:Dumitru Brinzan/WPZOOM)
The Nag's Head, Kinnerton Street, Knightsbridge, SW1X 8ED. Call 020 7235 1135
(credit:Dumitru Brinzan/WPZOOM)
Queen Of Hoxton, Shoreditch(07 of10)
Although it's sometimes a bit student-y, they do a great BBQ on the roof in the summertime. It's the type of place you go for one fairly reasonably priced drink and end up doing shots of tequila, dancing, staying out til 4am and getting chicken on the way home. Perfect.
Queen Of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road, EC2A 3JX. Call 0207 422 0958.
(credit:Queen of Hoxton)
Queen Of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road, EC2A 3JX. Call 0207 422 0958.
(credit:Queen of Hoxton)
The Spaniards Inn, Hampstead Heath(08 of10)
Full of nooks and corners and history - it dates from the 16th century, Dickens wrote about it and it's thought to have been a regular haunt of Dick Turpin's - this gorgeous pubis perfect for a drink before or after a walk on Hampstead Heath or visit to Kenwood House. Enjoy its wonderful, large beer garden in the summer or its open fires in the winter.
The Spaniards Inn, Spaniards Road, Hampstead, London, NW3 7JJ. Call 020 8731 8406.
(credit:The Spaniards Inn)
The Spaniards Inn, Spaniards Road, Hampstead, London, NW3 7JJ. Call 020 8731 8406.
(credit:The Spaniards Inn)
The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park(09 of10)
With dark wooden decking with beautiful hanging baskets, it is the perfect place to laze around on a sunny day. There is a huge back room with long benches that shows rugby/football matches. They serve Thai food and their Bloody Marys are cheap and delicious.
The Faltering Fullback, 19 Perth Rd, N4 3HB. Call 020 7272 5834
(credit:The Faultering Fullback)
The Faltering Fullback, 19 Perth Rd, N4 3HB. Call 020 7272 5834
(credit:The Faultering Fullback)
The Beer House, Waterloo (10 of10)
Once a typically dire railway station watering hole, this pub has been sympathetically spruced up and is a real haven for commuters looking for a cheeky pint or three before tackling the trains out of the capital. With a regularly changing roster of guest craft beers - both draught and bottled - which can be sampled before buying, customers will often find something new. It's popular with couples and groups but is equally a great place to hide for some 'me' time.
The Beer House, Waterloo, SE1 7LY. Call 020 7839 7397
(credit:Getty)
The Beer House, Waterloo, SE1 7LY. Call 020 7839 7397
(credit:Getty)
Do you have a favourite pub? Tell us in the comments below...