Pubs with quirky, fun, and unusual names in London

The Boogaloo opened in 2002, quickly becoming a musical hub in Highgate. Chris Martin, Kate Nash, Chrissie Hynde, Wolf Alice, Suggs, Pete Doherty, and many others have surprised regulars with spontaneous performances. The main room hosts live musicians, and the famous Boogaloo jukebox holds a carefully curated selection of albums from which to choose. It even has its own radio station, Boogaloo Radio. There's no real evidence of why it's called The Boogaloo, but it's fun to say. It was initially called the Birkbeck Tavern, and the name can still be seen in mosaic tiling on the entrance step.

The Elephant's Head is a traditional Victorian pub in the heart of Camden. Some say the name comes from the Elephant Pale Ale brewed by the Camden Brewery, which stood nearby and operated until 1925. The pub hosts regular open mic nights and serves classic pub grub and drinks.

The Mad Bishop and Bear is a traditional London pub in Paddington. Although there's no real information about the name The Mad Bishop & Bear, the interesting title probably refers to a local legend or historical anecdote, so feel free to let your own imagination run wild with that one. Here, you can indulge in a tasty pub meal, have a drink with friends, or soak up the ambience of a classic London pub. They also show live sports for those interested in catching a match.

The Barrowboy & Banker is a pub in London Bridge known for its freshly made pies and Fuller's beer. The pub's name is easily explained: the 'Banker' part alludes to the fact that the building was reportedly London's first-ever branch of the National Westminster Bank. The 'Barrowboy' element references the costermongers who once operated near Borough Market.

Howl at the Moon is an independent neighbourhood pub in Hoxton known for its high-energy live music and party vibes. The name probably references the idea of celebrating and letting loose, often associated with howling at the moon. While specific local legends or stories might be tied to the London location, the overall concept behind the name is to evoke a sense of excitement, freedom and letting your hair down.

The Bountiful Cow is an independent, family-run 1960s Holborn pub decked out with vintage film posters and serving a steak-focused menu. This hidden gem is one of the 24 AA-recommended pubs in London, handpicked for its great atmosphere and excellent food and drinks. The name is likely an ode to the fact they serve delicious steaks with cattle-related memorabilia pasted on the dark walls.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a pub on Fleet Street and one of London's few remaining 17th-century chophouses, serving delicious cuts of meat and classic pub drinks. The name "Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese" is a bit of a mystery; some say it's a nod to the area, some say it's a reference to Cheshire Toast, a popular dish once served in pubs. The pub is a truly historical one, with Charles Dickens being a frequent visitor back in the day.

The Owl & Hitchhiker pub in London is named after two famous authors who lived in the area: Edward Lear, who wrote the iconic poem The Owl and the Pussycat, and Douglas Adam, who wrote the iconic science fiction series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The name pays homage to both of them, blending their most famous works and reminding people of the literary significance of the surrounding area.

The Hung, Drawn & Quartered is an old pub right around the corner from the historic Tower of London, serving pub grub and classic drinks. The name of the pub derives from the fact that executions would be carried out nearby in the most horrible way by those who passed into the Tower of London through the Traitor's' Gate. Keep your eyes peeled for a quote from Samuel Pepys hung on the pub's wall recounting the sights he saw: “I went to see Major General Harrison Hung, Drawn and Quartered. He was looking as cheerful as any man could in that condition.”

This Young's pub supposedly commemorates the Cold War-era Cambridge Spy Ring. The Cambridge Five was a ring of spies in the UK who worked to pass information to the Soviet Union throughout the Second World War and the Cold War. One member was said to have lived nearby. The word 'weld' suggests that this pub could've been one of their meeting points.

The Punch & Judy pub was built in 1787 and is named after the first recorded Punch and Judy show in England, watched by Samuel Pepys in Covent Garden in 1662. The pub faces the Covent Garden market square and has a balcony, so guests can enjoy an excellent view of the street performers below as the sip on their drink. It serves a selection of classic British dishes alongside an extensive drinks menu.

The Pyrotechnist's Arms is a traditional London pub built on the premises of a former fireworks factory. A pyrotechnist is a person skilled in the manufacture or setting off of fireworks and fireworks displays, which might also explain the image of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators on its pub sign as well as the name. This classic pub serves hearty homemade pub food and drinks and offers live music, sports, a comedy club, and a lush beer garden.

Spit & Sawdust in Elephant and Castle is a classic London watering hole that proudly houses one of the largest ranges of quality craft beers in SE1. It also has a fantastic wine list, a yummy food menu, and two outside areas, including a lush beer garden and a first-floor terrace. The Spit & Sawdust pub likely gets its name from the traditional methods of cooking and cleaning used in older pubs: a spit is a long, metal rod used to roast meat over an open fire and was a standard method of cooking in pubs for centuries. Sawdust was used to cover the floors of pubs to absorb spills and keep the place clean.

The Salmon & Ball is located in a beautiful Grade II-listed building on the junction between Bethnal Green Road and Cambridge Heath Road. There's no real evidence as to why this pub is called The Salmon & Ball, but there has been some speculation that it's named after the local trades that used to surround it. The "salmon" is a nod to the old Billingsgate fish markets, and the "ball" is a play on the yarn balls associated with Weavers fields behind the pub, the largest open space in the west of the borough.

The Gipsy Moth is a Grade I-listed pub at the heart of Greenwich. The pub was named after the small boat that Sir Francis Chichester used to sail solo around the world, once moored in the area. It's also just a short walk from the Cutty Sark, the iconic historic sailing ship and fastest of its time.

In the early 19th century, Dirty Dick's was known as The Old Jerusalem, but its owner at the time, William Barker, renamed the pub after a notorious local man who had owned a nearby warehouse. Richard Bentley, otherwise known as Dick, but after the death of his beloved fiancée, in his broken-hearted state, he reportedly refused to clean anything, including himself, which led to the name 'Dirty Dicks'.

The Hole in the Wall is a quirky pub that works to maintain the charm of a traditional London pub. It's located inside one of the Waterloo station railway arches and has become an iconic local institution. It serves six different cask ales behind the bar as well as over 25 different beers on tap, including a wide selection of brews from local independent breweries. The name is said to come from the theory that relatives used to feed prisoners through a hole in the prison wall cellars to dungeons.

This friendly North London pub serves drinks and traditional pub grub in a cosy space or outside in the sunny beer garden. The menu is chock full of lunch deals, bottomless brunch, and other deals, while HD screens broadcast live sports. It's located just a few minutes from Emirates Stadium and is a favourite among Arsenal FC fans. The name is a bit of a mastering, but the key ingredient in cock ale, which was popular in 17th- and 18th-century England, was a rooster, so that might've influenced it. Either way, it's sure to make you chuckle.

John the Unicorn is a classic pub in Peckham, located in a former decorator's shop. Apparently, the boss' daughter had a cuddly unicorn called John, hence the name. It's now a go-to destination for craft beers, cocktails, burgers, and events like quiz nights and drag performances. The atmosphere blends '70s retro style with modern touches and frequently hosts changing pop-up food experiences.