Looking for a great pub in North West London? Mark Dredge, award-winning writer and beer consultant for Pilsner Urquell, picks out some of the best pubs with a NW postcode
When we were looking for some festive pub inspiration, there was one man we knew we could turn to. Mark Dredge is an award-winning writer and beer consultant for Pilsner Urquell and was only too happy to help us out with recommended pubs in North West London.
Mark has had two books published – Craft Beer World, and Beer and Food – and in 2009 and 2010 won the British Guild of Beer Writers New Media Writer of the Year for his blog, before winning Beer and Food Writer of the Year in 2011 and 2013.
Here’s his top seven North West London pubs…
1 The Engineer
Named after Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this handsome corner pub in Primrose Hill has the ideal combination of good beer, delicious food, a cute garden and a comfortable, warm atmosphere to make you want to stay from brunch until bedtime.
65 Gloucester Avenue NW1 8JH; theengineerprimrosehill.co.uk
2 The Horseshoe
The Hampstead home of Camden Town Brewery, this pub has just had a smart renovation and is now better than ever. Hells Lager is the beer to order. This German-styled brew is the reason the brewery started in the first place. Also look out for the latest special release beers.
28 Heath StreetNW3 6TE; thehorseshoehampstead.com
3 Bull and Last
You probably already know this pub, which is famous for its great wine selection and seasonal modern British food. If you’ve been walking around the Heath then this is the place you’ll end up. In fact, ending up here is most likely the reason you chose to go for a walk in the first place.
168 Highgate RoadNW5 1QS; thebullandlast.co.uk
4 Southampton Arms
Just down the road from the Bull and Last, this is a proper British boozer pouring some of the best beers around. Look at the line-up of handpulls to see a wide range of styles, mostly from nearby breweries. If you see Howling Hops beers then they are brewed at the pub’s brother bar, The Cock Tavern in Hackney.
139 Highgate RoadNW5 1LE; thesouthamptonarms.co.uk
5 The Bull, Highgate
At The Bull you should drink the London Brewing Co beers as they are brewed in the cellar of the pub. There’s a regular range of brews plus lots of interesting specials. Definitely stay for food and ask the staff for a beer suggestion to match what you eat.
13 North Hill NW6 4AB; thebullhighgate.co.uk
6 Czech and Slovak Club
Certainly not your usual London drinking spot, this is a wonderful idiosyncrasy where you can drink draught Czech beers, including Pilsner Urquell, to go with classic Czech cuisine like goulash, roast duck and schnitzel. It was originally used as a meeting place for expats and is now a bar and restaurant.
74 West End LaneNW6 2LX; czechandslovakclub.co.uk
7 Colonel Fawcett
The Colonel Fawcett is self-proclaimed as Camden’s best-kept secret which now everyone rightly knows about thanks to some of the tastiest pub food in North London. In fact, the Observer Food Monthly decided that this is the best place in Britain to get a Sunday Lunch. Arrive early before they run out of roasts.
1 Randolph Street NW1 0SS; thecolonelfawcett.co.uk
Mark Dredge is an award winning beer and food writer and Pilsner Urquell Beer Correspondent. For more information please visit pilsnerurquell.com
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