Craft Beer Bars London

When you think of craft beer bars London, venues in London that focus on locally brewed, small-batch beers with unique flavors and rotating taps. Also known as microbrew pubs, these spots aren’t just about drinking—they’re about community, experimentation, and the quiet pride of British brewing revival. Forget the chain pubs with six identical lagers. London’s craft beer scene is alive with independent brewers pushing boundaries, from hop-forward IPAs to sour ales aged in wine barrels.

These bars don’t just serve beer—they tell stories. Behind every pint is a brewer who started in a garage, a pub owner who converted a disused bookshop, or a bartender who can tell you the exact harvest date of the hops in your glass. You’ll find London nightlife, the after-dark culture of bars, clubs, and social venues that thrive after sunset deeply tied to these beer spots. They’re where people gather after work, where dates turn into long conversations, and where tourists stumble in looking for something real. Unlike tourist traps with overpriced cocktails, craft beer bars in London offer substance: chalkboard menus, no frills, and a focus on flavor over flash.

Then there’s the craft beer pubs, traditional British pubs that have fully embraced modern brewing, often with their own on-site taps or close ties to local microbreweries. These aren’t just pubs with a few craft options—they’re temples to beer culture. Think Brick Lane’s The Kernel, Camden’s Brew by Numbers, or Bermondsey’s The Taproom. They host tap takeovers, live music, and beer pairing nights. You’ll also find beer gardens London, outdoor spaces in the city where craft beer is served alongside street food and open-air seating, often in converted warehouses or rooftop terraces. These spots turn summer evenings into lazy, hop-scented hangouts—no suit and tie required.

The London beer scene, the collective network of brewers, bar owners, drinkers, and events that shape how beer is made, sold, and enjoyed across the city has exploded in the last decade. It’s not just about quantity—it’s about quality, transparency, and local pride. You can walk into a bar in Peckham and taste a beer brewed three blocks away. You can chat with the brewer who hand-picked the barley from Kent. This isn’t corporate beer. This is neighborhood beer. And it’s everywhere—from East London lofts to South Bank terraces.

What makes these spots different from regular pubs? It’s the attention to detail. The glassware. The temperature of the beer. The fact that the bartender knows your name and what you liked last time. You won’t find neon signs or happy hour deals that sacrifice flavor for volume. Instead, you’ll find people who care—about the beer, the space, and the experience.

Below, you’ll find real guides and firsthand takes on the best places to drink craft beer in London. No fluff. No sponsored posts. Just honest picks from people who’ve been there, tasted it, and came back for more. Whether you’re new to the scene or a seasoned hophead, there’s something here for you.