The Southampton Arms

Bored of Guinness and Stella? If so, consider The Southampton Arms. The pub, in Kentish Town, claims to be London’s only dedicated ale and cider house that serves drinks exclusively from small or independent producers in the United Kingdom. This means eight kegs of beer, eight casks of hand-pulled ale, and six different ciders, making it probably also the London pub with the greatest selection of cider and peary. The house pale ale and lager are constants while the other taps are frequently changed out.

The Southampton Arms is known for its food as well (“ALE CIDER MEAT” is painted on the pub’s exterior). There’s a short menu of meaty English dishes, and the hot roast pork bap (bap being a type of roll) is so popular, an order can command a 20-minute wait. Vegetarians can opt for the cheese and chutney bap.

Music is provided by vinyl sets or live piano music on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and there’s an inviting outdoor terrace out back. Above all else, The Southampton Arms is the type of friendly, casual, worn-in place that could go in the dictionary under the term Pub.