Bars
The 5 Best Pubs for a London Pub Crawl
A walkable Soho run of five characterful pubs, from a grand Victorian gin palace to the half-pints-only bohemian bolthole.
In short: our top picks are The Argyll Arms, The Dog and Duck and The Toucan. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
The best pub crawl in London is not a march between superpubs, it is a short loop through one neighbourhood where every door has a story. Soho packs that history into a few hundred yards, so you can drift from a tiled Victorian snug to a Guinness specialist to a bar that has only ever served half-pints, all without hailing a cab. We have picked five that genuinely cluster, in an order that builds nicely as the evening warms up.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Argyll Arms | Soho | ££ |
| The Dog and Duck | Soho | ££ |
| The Toucan | Soho | ££ |
| The Coach and Horses | Soho | ££ |
| The French House | Soho | ££ |
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Editor’s choice
The Argyll Arms
Why we pick itA handsome, high-ceilinged opener right by Oxford Circus, named after the Duke of Argyll whose mansion stood where the Palladium now sits.
Grand Grade II listed Victorian pub from 1868, with original etched-glass screens and mahogany snugs that once separated the social classes.
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The Dog and Duck
Why we pick itGeorge Orwell's old local and a Constable haunt, with one of the prettiest little interiors in central London, best enjoyed standing room only.
Tiny, gloriously tiled Victorian corner pub, all glazed brick, mirrors and brass, dating in spirit to 1734.
-
The Toucan
Why we pick itPours one of the best pints of Guinness in the West End and spills happily onto the pavement, so it is the natural midpoint of any crawl.
Cramped, cheerful two-floor Irish bar plastered in Guinness memorabilia, with a whiskey-heavy basement.
-
The Coach and Horses
Why we pick itDecades of bohemian Soho lore in one corner room, with Saturday singalongs round the piano and a roast (meat-free) worth planning a Sunday around.
Famously contrary Soho institution, the old haunt of Private Eye and Jeffrey Bernard, now London's first all-vegetarian and vegan pub.
-
The French House
Why we pick itA Free French wartime hangout and later a Francis Bacon and Dylan Thomas favourite, this is the most characterful nightcap in Soho, so finish here.
Bohemian Grade II listed bolthole with no music, no mobiles encouraged, and a long-standing rule that it serves beer only in half-pints.
Before you book
Start early evening on a weekday if you want a seat, as the smaller rooms (the Dog and Duck, the French House) fill fast after work. Walk the loop clockwise from Oxford Circus and you will cover the whole run in well under a mile.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
The Argyll Arms is our editor's choice: A handsome, high-ceilinged opener right by Oxford Circus, named after the Duke of Argyll whose mansion stood where the Palladium now sits. The Argyll Arms, The Dog and Duck and The Toucan lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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