The best pubs in Camden

The best pubs in Camden

If you’re in Camden Town and you fancy going to the pub then you’re really in for a treat. The area is well-known for pub culture and there are a wide range of venues to choose from. From classic pubs that never change to venues with tempting food or a distinctive atmosphere, there are lots of options when you’re going for a drink. If you’re struggling to choose we’re here to help – this is our guide to the best pubs in Camden.

In this guide
  1. The best pubs in Camden
    1. The World's End – Spacious alternative pub
    2. The Camden Eye – Pub in a prime location
    3. The Elephant's Head – Classic Camden pub
    4. The Oxford Arms – Lively family-run pub since 1968
    5. The Black Heart – Distinctive pub and music venue
    6. Camden Road Arms – Top pub for craft beer
    7. The Dublin Castle – Pub with a musical legacy
    8. The Spread Eagle – Welcoming contemporary venue
    9. The Dev – Alternative music favourite
    10. The Lyttelton Arms – Vibrant and contemporary boozer
    11. The Camden Head – Drinking spot since 1787
    12. The Farrier – Rustic market pub
    13. The Lock Tavern – Lively local pub
    14. The Hawley Arms – Renowned music venue
    15. The Good Mixer – Long-standing pub and music venue
    16. The Camden Assembly – Energetic Camden pub
    17. Bucks Head – Bustling contemporary spot
    18. Earl of Camden – Elegant and casual drinking spot
    19. The Constitution – Classic canalside venue

The best pubs in Camden

The World's End

Spacious alternative pub

Spacious pub The World’s End sits just opposite Camden Town station. With exposed brick, wooden beams, and a metal playlist, it’s a popular alternative pub. They serve a varied range of drinks, as well as food, and the venue is bright and airy. For gigs, the basement venue Underworld is a top destination.

The Camden Eye – Pubs in Camden
The Camden Eye
The Camden Eye – Pubs in Camden
The Camden Eye
The Camden Eye – Pubs in Camden
The Camden Eye
The Camden Eye – Pubs in Camden
The Camden Eye
The Camden Eye – Pubs in Camden
The Camden Eye
The Camden Eye – Pubs in Camden
The Camden Eye
The Camden Eye – Pubs in Camden
The Camden Eye
The Camden Eye – Pubs in Camden
The Camden Eye

The Camden Eye

Pub in a prime location

When you exit Camden Town station, The Camden Eye is one of the first things you'll see. It's a spacious and light-filled pub with a simple interior. Vegan junk food is served along with a full selection of drinks, including craft beer and cocktails. Various events take place throughout the week.

The Elephant's Head

Classic Camden pub

In the middle of Camden High Street you'll find The Elephant's Head. This is an authentic Victorian pub with a welcoming atmosphere that makes it a hit with locals and tourists. There's a full choice of drinks and a food menu of proper pub grub. Live music is on frequently here.

The Oxford Arms

Lively family-run pub since 1968

Discover classic Victorian pub architecture at The Oxford Arms, a traditional pub with high ceilings in the heart of Camden Town. It's a cosy place for drinks and typical pub food like sandwiches, burgers, and fish and chips. Live sport is shown here and there's a theatre upstairs for comedy performances.

The Black Heart

Distinctive pub and music venue

The Black Heart is proudly alternative, combining a dark and evocative interior with a raucous music venue that regularly hosts metal gigs. The interior is decorated with musical and religious paraphernalia and posters, and the bar serves a variety of drinks to the surprisingly eclectic crowd this pub attracts.

Camden Road Arms

Top pub for craft beer

Cosy Victorian pub Camden Road Arms specialises in craft beer and is based in one of the quieter parts of Camden Town. A venture from BrewDog, you can sample a range of their brews here. Classic pub food, including a Sunday roast, is on the menu too, plus a fun bottomless brunch.

The Dublin Castle

Pub with a musical legacy

The Dublin Castle has long been a piece of music history; Amy Winehouse is noted to have been one of its most famous regulars. This red-fronted family-run establishment is still going strong, with posters on the walls showing off its musical legacy. Live music events continue to take place frequently.

The Spread Eagle Camden – Pubs in Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden – Pubs in Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden – Pubs in Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden – Pubs in Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden – Pubs in Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden – Pubs in Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden – Pubs in Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden – Pubs in Camden
The Spread Eagle Camden

The Spread Eagle

Welcoming contemporary venue

Housed in a Grade II listed building, The Spread Eagle is a contemporary pub blending the modern with the traditional. It's an elegant venue serving a full range of drinks and elevated incarnations of pub grub. There's also a private function room that's suitable for a range of different events.

The Dev

Alternative music favourite

Often referred to as The Dev, The Devonshire Arms has long been a hotspot on the alternative scene. The pub has a distinctive mock-Tudor exterior, a dark interior, and a lively crowd. Rock and metal bands and DJs frequently provide the soundtrack at this popular goth venue.

The Lyttelton Arms

Vibrant and contemporary boozer

Set opposite Mornington Crescent station, The Lyttelton Arms is a vibrant and modern pub with colourful murals and leopard print details. There are lots of drinks to explore at the bar, like cocktails, craft beer, and wine. The eclectic menu offers street food to please different appetites, from burgers to vegan recipes.

The Camden Head

Drinking spot since 1787

One of the oldest pubs in the area is The Camden Head. It opened in 1787 and is packed with history. It has its own comedy club offering live shows and comedy workshops. DJs play at weekends and you can drop by just for drinks and food, including some very distinctive burgers.

The Farrier – Pubs in Camden
The Farrier
The Farrier – Pubs in Camden
The Farrier
The Farrier – Pubs in Camden
The Farrier
The Farrier – Pubs in Camden
The Farrier
The Farrier – Pubs in Camden
The Farrier
The Farrier – Pubs in Camden
The Farrier
The Farrier – Pubs in Camden
The Farrier
The Farrier – Pubs in Camden
The Farrier

The Farrier

Rustic market pub

The Farrier holds the distinction of being the first pub to open in Camden Market. It comes with a warm atmosphere, cosy rustic feel, and classic pub interior. Drinks include cocktails made with local ingredients, organic wines, and draft beer. Pub-grub favourites like burgers and fish and chips are available too.

The Lock Tavern

Lively local pub

The Lock Tavern has a lively atmosphere and lots going on. There's a traditional weathered pub interior, an expansive garden, and an upstairs cocktail bar and roof terrace. The bar offers a wide range of drinks and food is also served - think favourites like pizza and burgers. There's a Sunday roast too.

The Hawley Arms

Renowned music venue

The Hawley Arms isn’t just a great choice for a drink in Camden – it’s also a legendary music venue. This welcoming destination still holds gigs regularly but on any night of the week you’ll find a rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere and a varied choice of food and drinks.

The Good Mixer

Long-standing pub and music venue

Legendary venue The Good Mixer is ideal for live music fans. Acts from Amy Winehouse to Noel Gallagher have performed or drank in the pub. It has a deep blue exterior and a typical pub look inside. Street food is served by rotating vendors, there are gigs, and live sport is shown.

The Camden Assembly

Energetic Camden pub

The Camden Assembly has lots of energy and a buzzing line-up of live music performances. There's also a cosy private room that's suitable for up to 50 guests. You can order burgers at this well-established venue and sample drinks including cocktails, draft beer, and an international wine list.

Bucks Head

Bustling contemporary spot

In a prime spot in Camden High Street, Bucks Head is a busy pub with a contemporary look and feel. The interior is spacious and you can hire the venue for events. There are plenty of drinks to choose from but gin is a speciality here. Food is served all day.

Earl of Camden

Elegant and casual drinking spot

For an elegant place for a drink, try the Earl of Camden. The pub has a stylish modern look and a casual atmosphere. DJs spin tunes at weekends, live sport is shown, and there are menus of typical pub food and a varied choice of drinks. Children and dogs are welcome.

The Constitution

Classic canalside venue

Punters were disappointed when canalside pub The Constitution abruptly shut down in 2020. The pub reopened in March 2024, serving drinks and seasonal British cuisine in a traditional pub setting. The venue has outdoor tables as well as a roof terrace that offers great views of the local area.

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.