Best Nightlife in London for Craft Beer Lovers

London’s craft beer scene isn’t just growing-it’s exploding.

If you think London nightlife means crowded clubs and overpriced cocktails, you’re missing out. The city’s real hidden gem? Its craft beer pubs. From hidden basement bars to industrial-chic taprooms, London has over 400 independent breweries and more than 1,200 venues serving local, small-batch beer. You don’t need a reservation. You just need to know where to go.

The Crown & Anchor, Shoreditch

This isn’t your average pub. Tucked into a converted 19th-century warehouse, The Crown & Anchor has 18 taps rotating every week, all from UK microbreweries. Their house IPA, brewed in collaboration with Brew By Numbers, has a citrusy punch that lingers just long enough to make you order another. The crowd? Mostly locals in beanies and boots, not tourists. They don’t have a website. You find them by walking down Redchurch Street and following the smell of hops and toasted malt. On Fridays, they host blind tasting nights where you guess the beer style and win a free pint. No gimmicks. Just great beer and real people.

The Kernel Brewery, Bermondsey

If you want to see how craft beer is made in London, head to The Kernel. It’s not a pub-it’s a brewery with a tasting room attached. Their barrel-aged stouts, like the 12% ABV Kernel Imperial Stout, are legendary. You can buy a 500ml bottle to take home or sit at the wooden bar and try a flight of four different brews for £12. The staff don’t talk down to you. They’ll ask what you liked last time and suggest something new. This place opened in 2009 and helped kickstart London’s craft beer revolution. Today, it’s still the gold standard.

Beer & Bubbles, Camden

Camden has a reputation for loud music and tourist traps. But Beer & Bubbles flips the script. This narrow, brick-walled bar has 20 rotating taps, with a heavy focus on Belgian-style ales and American hazy IPAs. Their sour cherry lambic, brewed in collaboration with a small brewery in Kent, tastes like a summer berry pie in liquid form. They also serve house-made pretzels with smoked sea salt and beer cheese dip. It’s the kind of place where you end up talking to the person next to you because there’s no room to sit alone. The playlist? Indie rock from the 2000s. No EDM. No pop. Just good vibes and good beer.

Beermoth, Soho

Beermoth is a tiny, no-frills bar with no sign outside. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the line of people waiting to get in. Inside, you’ll find 30+ taps, mostly from London and nearby counties. Their Wet Hop IPA is only available in October, brewed with fresh-picked hops from Sussex. They don’t do food, but they have a fridge full of local cheese and charcuterie you can buy by the pound. The owner, Dave, has been brewing since 2011 and still works the taps on weekends. He’ll tell you which beer pairs best with the rain outside. You won’t find this kind of knowledge in a chain pub.

Taproom at The Great British Beer Festival

Every August, the Olympia London hosts the Great British Beer Festival-the largest beer event in Europe. But you don’t have to wait for summer. The organizers run a permanent Taproom in the same building, open year-round. It’s the only place in London where you can try beers from over 100 different breweries in one night. Think rare barrel-aged porters from Cornwall, sour wheat beers from Manchester, and experimental stouts infused with coffee and chili. Entry is £5, and you get a tasting glass. You can buy a 500ml bottle of anything you like. It’s the closest thing to a beer museum you’ll find in the city.

What to Order: A Simple Guide

Don’t just ask for an IPA. Ask for what’s fresh. Here’s what to look for:

• Session IPA (4-5% ABV): Light, crisp, perfect for drinking multiple. Try it at The Crown & Anchor.
• Hazy IPA (6-7% ABV): Juicy, fruity, cloudy. Beer & Bubbles does this best.
• Stout (7-10% ABV): Dark, roasty, creamy. The Kernel’s Imperial Stout is the benchmark.
• Sour Ale (4-6% ABV): Tart, fruity, refreshing. Look for cherry or passionfruit variants.
• Barrel-aged beer (8%+ ABV): Complex, oaky, slow-sipping. Only available in limited batches.

When to Go

Weekdays are quiet. Weekends are packed. But the sweet spot? Tuesday to Thursday, between 6 and 9 p.m. That’s when the brewers themselves come in to taste their own beer and chat with customers. You’ll get the freshest pours and the best stories. Avoid Friday and Saturday after 10 p.m.-you’ll be standing in line for 20 minutes just to get a glass.

How to Spot a Real Craft Beer Spot

Not every place with a few taps is worth your time. Here’s how to tell the difference:

• They list the brewery name and ABV on the menu. If it just says “IPA,” walk away.
• The taps are labeled with chalk or handwritten tags. No plastic stickers.
• There’s no neon sign or branded merchandise. No merch at all, actually.
• Staff can tell you who brewed it, when it was packaged, and what it pairs with.
• The beer is served at the right temperature-no ice-cold stouts, no warm lagers.

What to Avoid

Steer clear of places that call themselves “craft beer bars” but serve only four brands: BrewDog, Camden Hells, Sierra Nevada, and Heineken. These are big companies with marketing budgets. Real craft beer is made in batches of 500 liters or less. If the bar doesn’t have at least 10 different breweries on tap, it’s not serious.

How to Drink Like a Local

Locals don’t order by name. They say: “What’s new?” or “What’s good tonight?” They taste before they buy. They share flights. They ask questions. They don’t care about the logo on the glass. They care about the flavor. If you’re unsure, ask for a 1/3 pint first. Most places will let you try before you commit. And if you like it? Order a full one. No shame in that.

Final Tip: Bring Cash

Most of these places don’t take cards. Especially the smaller ones. The Kernel, Beermoth, The Crown & Anchor-they all prefer cash. Keep £20 in your pocket. You’ll thank yourself later.