Ebacher, thank you for your suggestions. I will be in London in June. Particularly interested in the Seven Stars.

1. The George off Borough High Street - one of the oldest old coaching inns and has a lovely courtyard for drinking outside in good weather.

2. Williamson's off Bow Lane in the City - down a tiny little alley and serves affordable beer and wine in the City.

3. Blackfriar's at Blackfriar's station - lovely decorated with marble and good pies.

4. Cittie of Yorke at Holborn - old school interior with little booths for privacy. Not so good for food, but nice for a pint.

5. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet St - again, not good for food, but great interior with all different dark rooms and bars to enjoy a drink.

I could go on and on...

(I'm not a beer drinker so don't speak to the quality of the brews! The food was decent and the service congenial.)

I almost hesitate to name names, because the reason I enjoyed these two is that it seemed we were the only two non-locals in these two pubs and I rather liked that, not trying to "be" a local but enjoying being there. We had rooms in a mews half a minute from both of them and stopped there often in our two weeks' stay.

The Nag's Head and the Wilton Arms, both on Kinnerton Street in Belgravia. Just a couple turns off busy Knightsbridge--and it's like you are miles away from busy London.

jamikins, great 5! The pubs you list are true classics that remind me of how cruel a choice it really was. I did pop downstairs at Cittie of York for a forgettable pie, but should have grabbed a pint upstairs in that magical, ancient room. And the Cheese is not to be missed for any visitor to London. Nor the George. Williamson's I will investigate next time!

Another gem I love it the Jamaica Wine House off Cornhill by Bank station: http://www.jamaicawinehouse.co.uk/

So many great pubs, so little time...

This is a great thread. I was going to ask about pubs for our upcoming trip and figured there might be a thread about them (I see there are several). Bookmarking!

Not to change the subject, but when we first moved to London on assignment in the 80's, we stayed at a company flat on Kinnerton Street. Loved that neighborhood. Brings back many memories.

The Crutched Friar, Tower Hill. We didn't eat there, but it has nice beers (Nicholsons) and a friendly atmosphere. There is a small outdoor area through the back, hemmed in by tall buildings. I also liked the Flask in Hampstead (not the same as the Flask in Highgate) and several others along the river in Hammersmith.

Thanks for your top 5. I know the Lamb & Flag, and I look forward to checking out your others next time I'm in London.

Should also have mentioned the Sherlock Holmes near Charing Cross station. Also the Queens Larder and the Friend in Hand, both in Bloomsbury. I could go on and on.... As you say, narrowing it down to 5 is really hard!

I was thinking only yesterday that people going into the Sherlock Holmes might also want to pop round the corner to the Ship and Shovell.

ttt

Going to add another one my Moorgate
Old Doctor Butlers Head:
http://www.shepherd-neame.co.uk/pub/moorgate/old-doctor-butlers-head.aspx

Our local in London is the Anglesea Arms, recommended to us by CW years ago. Excellent food too. not precooked and microwaved!

The princess Louise in Holborn is definitely unique...little compartments, i walked it and had no clue how to get across to the other side- its rather different- i think its Victorian- its certainly worth a visit if you are nearby

http://www.timeout.com/london/bars/venue/2%3A15184/princess-louise

Going to add this little gem as well, was there the other night:
http://www.theshiptavern.co.uk/

taking notes. I have loved every pub I have been into in London, including about 5 one night with C_W. It would be so hard for me to choose except with great food since the are all utterly gorgeous and charming, imo.

Another great pub with mostly locals, just off the beaten path by Tower Bridge: http://thedeanswift.com/

And another great place for pizza, or a pint in the sunshine by Tower Hill:
http://www.dickensinn.co.uk/

I am super delighted with all of the responses to my inquiry. I have cut and pasted all of these into a Document and will definitely check these out, locating on our map.

Wow...I feel like 5 days is going to be gone in a flash. Looks like a return visit will certainly be upcoming.

Again, we (our group of 6) all appreciate your suggestions. Thankx a $$Million.

Melaine

I'd have to vote for the Albion Pub in Islington
http://wp.me/p2r6no-3K

Certainly no shortage of great pubs. There's a list of interesting pubs here: http://alturl.com/8zue9 ranging from the supposed birthplace of football to the oldest? in london... my favourite on the list would be the Albion.

It's been too long since our last trip to London. Some of the places we visited on our first Pub Walk appear to have closed (if my Google Earth "visits" are accurate). For example, the Kings Head and Eight Bells looks like it is gone. It was on/near the river near an attractively luminated bridge (battersea?).

We do like the Lamb and Flag and I think we tried to go to the Mitre on a sunday (closed).

I need to revisit The George and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. We visited both on our very first London visit.

Probably not a stand out, but we visited The Surprise on a pub walk and I liked how it was buried in a residential area (a tourist like myself probably wouldn't have hit it but for the pub walk).

The Albert near Victoria was a great way to step out of the 21st century.

mark

Taking notes, hoping to get to London this summer and I hope I remember to bring this list.

We will be in London for St Patrick's Day and have been checking out pubs - so thank you!!! We are staying in Pimlico (St Georges Square) and ending the day in the area and found a few pubs - any thoughts on The White Swan, The Gallery or The Grosvenor????

Last time we did visit Dirty Dicks - not drinkers but did enjoy a pint - bought a tshirt and the barkeeper even gave me some pint glasses!!

Planning to visit Filthy McNasty's this time - we will be near by....

Any thoughts on Prince of Wales pub???

Prince of Wales pub where? There are likely many of pubs named that!