Pub Question for Londoners
 

Can anyone tell me a good pub where locals hang out (i.e. non-tourist)? Is there a place like the Queen Vic on EastEnders that is mostly locals? I'm staying in WC2 area, but have been to London many times and don't mind taking the tube or bus out a ways. I'm looking to sit and talk with regular people. Thanks!

You will find many, but not necessarily in the very centre.

Take the tube to Clapham Common or South - there are pubs right by the station, or walk to the common along Clapham Common Southside and go to The Windmill on the Common. http://www.windmillclapham.co.uk/

Another one off Clapham Common South Side is a block down in Abbyville, called The Abbeville: http://www.theabbeville.co.uk/home.php

You can also try a few boozers in the City for a glimpse of City life after work. These are more drinking places, not really eating places and are packed with City folks (bankers in suits) after work. Yes there are tourists, but its good idea of how we Londoners grab a pint after work.

We go to Jamaica Wine House off Cornhill: http://www.jamaicawinehouse.co.uk/

Or Old Dr Butlers Head by Moorgate: http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pub/m...lers-head.aspx

The Williamson in Bow Lane off Cheapside:
http://www.londontown.com/LondonInfo...s_Tavern/e152/

Jamie's suggestions are all good. You could also stick a pin in a map and then check out the local pubs on

http://www.beerintheevening.com/
http://www.fancyapint.com/

You could try somewhere like Hammersmith or Putney which are not too much of a trek away from the centre, though the nice riverside pubs there (the Doves at Hammersmith, the Duke's Head in Putney) would often have plenty of passing trade rather than people who go there all the time. Try looking up the side streets (e.g., the Bricklayers in Putney).

But I wouldn't make them a destination in their own right if your time's limited.

Actually, browsing through those reminded me of a couple of pubs in central London that might be worth a try:

Princess Louise (by Holborn station)
Ship and Shovell (between Villiers St and Northumberland Avenue - remember the side street rule above!)
Cockpit (St Andrew's Hill in the City - another side street place)

Patrick - I walk by the Cockpit alot on my quest for lunch! It always interests me because there is always the same guy sitting in there! Will have to give it a go!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tra...cle5980562.ece

#1 on the list is my local.

The White Horse (aka Sloaney Pony) is not an old man boozer by means, however, it is packed with an energetic mix of preppy locals from SW London. It's my favorite place in the world on a sunny day.

I would also recommend the Coat & Badge in Putney just off the high road:

http://web.beerintheevening.com/pubs...d_Badge/Putney

If you're in Kensington, The Windsor Castle is a great place to hang out:

http://www.thewindsorcastlekensington.co.uk/

Don't assume you'll naturally be able to strike up conversations with complete strangers in these pubs (or any other busy city centre pub for that matter). There's an unwritten etiquette involved here, and local drinkers would most likely be horrified (then collapse into embarrassed sniggering) if you went up to them and introduced yourself as "Hi, I'm Mr Gothampc from New York - how are you today?"

If the bar staff are not busy, and it's a friendly atmosphere pub, you could position yourself at the bar and maybe start an inane conversation with the barman/landlord about the weather/sports/TV etc (definitely not politics) that another drinker perched at the bar might join in with - but that's about as far as it goes.

Not quite the same for all cities in the Uk, if you do it in Glasgow, most folks will talk to you. In fact, you'll probably find they'll 'engage' with you first....just sometimes, you might wish they won't!

Yeah but Glasgow and London pub cultures are completely different IME. The OP asked about London.

Sorry Gordon_R I was just adding info I thought, hope that there's nothing wrong with that.

Once you're out of the centre and into the residential suburbs there are probably 100s of pubs that meet your requirements. As a previous response said, you could probably just stick a pin in a map and find a little
side-street gem.

I will however offer a few suggestions, one for each point of the compass:

North (well North West really): The Flask, 14 Flask Walk, London NW3 1HE
Nearest Tube: Hampstead
This is Hampstead, so the regulars are inclined to be both wealthy and eccentric, and there's always the chance of spotting a well-known actor.

South: The Victoria (Same as in Eastenders!): 68 Pages Walk, Bermondsey, SE1 4HL.
Easiest by bus, e.g. Routes 1 or 188 from Holborn. Alight at Rodney Place stop on Old Kent Road.
I doubt this pub has changed significantly since the 1950's. Run by very convivial Husband & Wife.

East: The Blind Beggar, 337 Whitechapel Road, E1 1BU
Nearest Tube: Whitechapel
This was a real gangland pub in the 60's. The Kray twins were regulars. I think one of them shot somebody here. The locals are much friendlier these days.

West: The Havelock Arms, 57 Masbro Road, W14 0LS
Nearest Tube: Shepherds Bush
This is a "Gastro Pub", i.e. it is noted for the quality of its food. I haven't personally eaten here in a while so I would probably want to check recent reviews to make sure the standard is still good. It certainly used to be excellent.

Oh, and actually here's another West London suggestion...

The Elephant & Castle, 40 Holland Street, W8 4LT.
Nearest Tube: High Street Kensington.
A beautiful little side street pub in an upmarket residential neighbourhood. Not to be mistaken with the more famous E & C in South London which I'm afraid I cannot recommend.

Actually there quite a few perfectly acceptable pubs between Elephant and Castle (the district) and Borough/London Bridge, but they're either way into the side streets or (on the weekend) full of people escaping from the crush in Borough Market.

The Charles Dickens: http://www.fancyapint.com/pubs/pub2744.php
The Royal Oak: http://www.fancyapint.com/pubs/pub1228.php
The Market Porter (besieged on Fridays and Saturdays): http://www.fancyapint.com/pubs/pub470.php

Some of my friends also head to Bunch of Grapes by London Bridge: http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs.../London_Bridge

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm a guy, going with a female friend. When we travel, we always like to find places where we can chat with regular people.

I've been to London many times and love exploring the outlying neighborhoods. One year I went in November and joined in a Guy Fawkes celebration at a park. It was great talking with local people.