Best 10 Micro-brewery Pubs/Taprooms London
What You Need To Know:
Central London, a vibrant hub of history and modern life, also boasts a thriving craft beer scene, offering a delightful array of micro brewery pubs and taprooms for enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. While the very heart of the West End might not house sprawling brewing facilities, a constellation of establishments in and around central areas provides the unique experience of enjoying locally brewed beers, often just a few feet from where they were crafted.
These venues range from traditional pubs with on-site microbreweries tucked away in their basements to modern taprooms directly linked to innovative brewing companies, each contributing to the rich and diverse tapestry of London’s craft beer culture. They offer a welcome respite from the city’s hustle, providing spaces to savour distinctive flavours and the passionate craftsmanship behind each pint.
Best 10 Micro-brewery Pubs/Taprooms London
Key Metrics:
| Pub Name | Typical Opening Hours | Booking Required? | Entry Charge? | Food Served? | Guest Ales Available? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Long Arm Sports Pub & Brewery | Mon-Sat: 12:00 – 23:00 Sun: 12:00 – 22:30 | For large groups | No | Yes (Pub classics) | Yes, alongside their own beer |
| 2. Temple Brew House | Mon-Thu: 12:00 – 23:00 Fri-Sat: 12:00 – 00:00 Sun: 12:00 – 22:30 | For dining | No | Yes (Brewery kitchen) | Yes, a large selection |
| 3. The Old Brewery (Greenwich) | Mon-Sat: 11:00 – 23:00 Sun: 11:00 – 22:30 | Recommended for dining | No | Yes (Restaurant) | Yes (Meantime beers & guests) |
| 4. Up the Creek Brewery (Greenwich) | Thu-Fri: 16:00 – 22:00 Sat: 12:00 – 22:00 Sun: 12:00 – 18:00 | No | No | Often a pop-up kitchen | No, only their own beer |
| 5. The Harp (Charing Cross) | Mon-Sat: 11:00 – 23:30 Sun: 12:00 – 22:30 | No | No | No (Crisps, nuts only) | Yes, renowned for its selection |
| 6. The Lyric (Soho) | Mon-Sat: 12:00 – 23:00 Sun: 12:00 – 22:30 | For large groups | No | Yes (Pizza & pub food) | Yes |
| 7. The Coach & Horses (Soho) | Mon-Sat: 11:00 – 23:00 Sun: 12:00 – 22:30 | For the dining room | No | Yes (Traditional British) | Yes (Fullers & guests) |
| 8. Waterloo Tap | Mon-Thu: 14:00 – 23:00 Fri: 14:00 – 00:00 Sat: 12:00 – 00:00 Sun: 12:00 – 22:00 | No | No | No (Often a food truck outside) | Yes, exclusively a craft beer taproom |
| 9. Craft Beer Co. (e.g., Clerkenwell) | Mon-Thu: 12:00 – 23:00 Fri-Sat: 12:00 – 00:00 Sun: 12:00 – 22:30 | No | No | Bar Snacks (Crisps, nuts) | Yes, specialises in guest ales & craft keg |
| 10. The Old Fountain (Old Street) | Mon-Thu: 12:00 – 23:00 Fri-Sat: 12:00 – 00:00 Sun: 12:00 – 22:30 | No | No | Yes (Excellent pub food) | Yes, a legendary craft beer pub |
Best 10 Micro-brewery Pubs/Taprooms London
Key Takeaways:
- Micro-brewery vs. Tap House: A micro-brewery (like Long Arm, Temple, Up the Creek) primarily serves beer they brew themselves on-site, though they often have guest beers. A tap house (like Waterloo Tap, Craft Beer Co.) specialises in serving a constantly rotating selection of beers from other breweries.
- Booking: Generally not required for drinks, but is often essential for food, especially in restaurant-focused brew pubs like The Old Brewery.
- Charge: It is extremely rare for any pub or taproom to have an entry charge unless for a specific ticketed event.
- Food: This varies from full kitchens and restaurant service to simple bar snacks. Some taprooms rely on external food trucks or encourage you to bring your own food.
- Guest Ales: Most venues will have them, except for the smallest micro-breweries that focus exclusively on their own product (e.g., Up the Creek). Pubs like The Harp, Craft Beer Co., and The Old Fountain are famous specifically for their vast and curated selection of guest ales.
1. Long Arm Sports Pub & Brewery
Location, 20-26 Worship Street
Post Code, EC2A 2DX
Tube, Moorgate
Nestled within the historic and bustling heart of the City of London, this particular establishment distinguishes itself by not only serving a diverse range of beers but also by taking pride in brewing its own distinctive and flavorful concoctions directly on the premises, ensuring a freshness and unique character to their offerings.
Beyond its brewing credentials, the venue cultivates a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, making it a popular spot for after-work drinks and social gatherings. Adding to its appeal, the pub frequently screens a variety of sporting events, creating a lively and convivial environment for fans to enjoy the action alongside their locally brewed beverages.
2. Temple Brew House
Location, 46 Essex Street
Post codeWC2R 3JF
Tube, Chancery Lane
Perfectly positioned within the very core of central London, a stone’s throw from the convenient transport links of Temple station, this traditional public house holds a delightful secret beneath its bustling main floor: its very own operational microbrewery.
This unique setup allows the pub to craft and serve a diverse and ever-changing selection of their own distinctive beers, each brewed with care and passion in the subterranean depths. This direct connection from brewery to tap ensures a freshness and character that sets their offerings apart, providing patrons with a truly local and authentic craft beer experience right in the heart of the city.
3. The Old Brewery (Greenwich)
Location, The Pepys Building,
Post Code, SE10 9NN
Tube, Greenwich
Although geographically situated just beyond the commonly perceived boundaries of “central” London, the charming and historically significant district of Greenwich is exceptionally well-connected via various transportation links, making this particular pub an easily reachable destination for those seeking a unique experience.
Adding to its considerable appeal, this established venue proudly operates its own on-site microbrewery, where skilled brewers craft a range of distinctive and high-quality craft beers, offering patrons the opportunity to savour locally produced brews within a setting steeped in history and character. The ease of access coupled with its brewing capabilities makes it a worthwhile journey for any beer enthusiast exploring London’s diverse pub scene.
4. Up the Creek Brewery (Greenwich)
Location, 302 Creek Road
Post Code, SE10 9SW
Tube, Greenwich
Adding to the diverse attractions of the easily accessible Greenwich area, this distinctive venue offers a unique dual experience, functioning not only as a lively comedy club, providing entertainment and laughter, but also housing its own dedicated microbrewery.
This on-site brewery specializes in the production of traditional cask ales, ensuring that patrons can enjoy a freshly poured pint of hand-pulled beer, crafted with care and expertise, while simultaneously enjoying the comedic performances, creating a truly memorable and multifaceted evening out. The combination of live entertainment and locally brewed cask ales makes this Greenwich establishment a noteworthy destination for those seeking a blend of amusement and quality beer.
5. The Harp (Charing Cross)
Location, 47 Chandos Place
Post Code, WC2N 4HS
Tube, Leicester Square
While lacking its own on-site brewing facilities, The Harp has nonetheless cultivated a distinguished reputation as a haven for discerning beer drinkers, celebrated for its consistently outstanding and meticulously curated selection of traditional real ales.
This esteemed public house takes pride in showcasing the diverse and innovative offerings of numerous smaller, independent breweries, with a particular emphasis on highlighting the burgeoning talent and unique brews emerging from within London itself. Its unwavering commitment to quality and its early championing of independent producers have firmly established
The Harp as a foundational and pioneering presence within Central London’s vibrant and ever-evolving craft beer landscape, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking exceptional and thoughtfully sourced beers.
Best 10 Micro-brewery Pubs/Taprooms London
Best 10 Micro-brewery Pubs/Taprooms London
6. The Lyric (Soho)
Location, 37 Great Windmill Street
Post Code, W1D 7LT
Tube, Piccadilly Circus
Situated within the vibrant and historic heart of Soho, this traditional public house distinguishes itself by offering a compelling and carefully curated selection of beers sourced exclusively from independent breweries across the United Kingdom. This commitment ensures a diverse and often innovative range of brews for its patrons.
Furthermore, the pub frequently highlights the exceptional output of London’s own burgeoning microbreweries, providing a platform for local talent and offering a taste of the capital’s dynamic craft beer scene to both residents and visitors alike. This dedication to showcasing independent and local beers makes it a noteworthy destination for those seeking authentic and characterful brews in the midst of Soho’s lively atmosphere.
7. The Coach & Horses (Soho)
Location, 29 Greek Street
Post Code, W1D 5DH
Tube, Piccadilly Circus
Echoing the dedication to quality and independent brewing found at The Lyric, this other notable public house situated within the energetic atmosphere of Soho also prides itself on offering a commendable and varied selection of beers sourced from breweries operating independently across the UK..
This commitment ensures a diverse and interesting drinking experience for its patrons. Furthermore, a key feature of their offering is a well-maintained selection of traditional cask ales, providing enthusiasts with the opportunity to enjoy the unique character and nuanced flavours of hand-pulled, naturally conditioned beers in the heart of London’s vibrant entertainment district. This focus on independent brews, including the traditional appeal of cask ales, makes it a worthwhile stop for those exploring Soho’s pub scene.
8. Waterloo Tap
Location, Sutton Walk
Post Code, SE1 8RL
Tube, Waterloo
Conveniently situated in the immediate vicinity of the bustling Waterloo Station, a major transport hub in central London, this contemporary pub distinguishes itself by providing a broad and diverse array of modern craft beers, catering to a wide range of palates and preferences.
Recognizing the vibrant and innovative brewing scene within the capital, this establishment frequently features the exciting and distinctive creations of London’s own breweries, offering both local residents and those passing through a taste of the city’s dynamic craft beer culture. Its prime location and commitment to showcasing modern and local brews make it an easily accessible and appealing destination for anyone seeking quality craft beer near this key London landmark.
9. Craft Beer Co.
Location, 168 High Holborn
Post Code, WC1V 7AA
Tube, Tottenham Court Rd., 3
Boasting multiple strategically located branches across key central London areas, including the vibrant Covent Garden, the historically rich Clerkenwell, and the architecturally striking St. Mary Axe (among other locations), the Craft Beer Co. chain of pubs has established itself as a significant player in the city’s craft beer scene. Each of their establishments prides itself on offering an impressively extensive and constantly evolving selection of craft beers, ensuring that there is always something new and exciting to discover.
A core tenet of their philosophy is a strong commitment to supporting local and independent breweries from across the United Kingdom, with a particular emphasis on showcasing the innovative and high-quality beers produced by London’s own burgeoning microbreweries, making them reliable destinations for both seasoned craft beer aficionados and those new to the scene seeking a diverse and well-curated experience.
10. The Old Fountain (Old Street)
Location, 3 Baldwin Street
Post Code, EC1 9NU
Tube, Old Street
Strategically positioned on the periphery of the City of London, in close proximity to the vibrant and increasingly trendy Old Street area, this particular public house has cultivated a well-deserved reputation among discerning beer enthusiasts for its thoughtfully curated and consistently impressive selection of craft beers.
Demonstrating a keen eye for quality and innovation, the pub frequently shines a spotlight on the exceptional offerings of smaller, often independent breweries, providing a platform for these producers and introducing its patrons to unique and characterful brews that might not be readily available elsewhere.
Its location, coupled with its dedication to showcasing well-chosen and often lesser-known craft beers, makes it a worthwhile destination for those seeking a more curated and exploratory beer experience on the fringes of London’s financial district.
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