Best Bars in Camden: Pubs, Cocktails, and Happy Hours!

Pubs in Camden might be a bit underrated compared to the other iconic neighborhoods in London, but oh boy, do they deliver! I’ve recently found out that having a pint in Camden is one of the best things people could do on a weekend, so right now, I’ll be sharing my top picks for the best Camden pubs I’ve came across.

Cheap drinks, long cocktail lists, relaxing beer gardens, and more so let’s dive right in!

What makes Camden a Good Area for Bars?

1. Vibrant Nightlife Scene – Camden is renowned for its lively nightlife. The area packs countless pubs, bars, music venues and nightclubs into a small, energetic neighborhood.
2. Eclectic Music Scene – Camden has a thriving music scene spanning rock, indie, jazz, blues and more. Historic music venues like the Jazz Cafe, Electric Ballroom and KOKO host concerts and club nights
3. Trendy Atmosphere – Camden has a young, edgy ambiance. Its bars have a hip, alternative vibe perfect for a night out. The area attracts a trendy crowd looking for lively nights out in a vibrant urban setting.
4. Unique Bars & Pubs – Camden is home to distinctive, one-of-a-kind bars like hidden speakeasies, canal-side lounges, craft beer pubs, and cocktail bars with quirky themes.

Our Picks of the Best Bars in Camden

BYOC Camden

BYOC Camden is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar located in the basement of 11-13 Camden High Street in the heart of Camden Town, London. Stepping through the unassuming black door and down the narrow staircase, you are transported back in time to the Prohibition era of the 1920s.

The intimate space is decked out in vintage décor, with floral wallpaper, low lighting, and non-functional roulette and card tables that evoke an underground gambling den

With no drinks menu, you never know exactly what concoctions you’ll be served, which is part of the fun and surprise. During your 2 hour booking, you can expect around 5 creative, high-quality cocktails made just for you

At BYOC Camden, you bring your own spirits for the expert mixologists to craft into bespoke cocktails. Sit at vintage gaming tables in this prohibition-style setting for a unique, personalized cocktail experience that we all enjoyed!

Great For: Couples, Close Friends

📍11-13 Camden High St, London NW1 7JE, United Kingdom

The Dublin Castle

The Dublin Castle is a legendary pub and music venue located in the heart of Camden Town. From the outside, it looks like a typical British pub with its old-fashioned signage and red exterior. But step inside and you’ll discover a fun atmosphere and unique character that makes it one of London’s top destinations.

But the real magic happens in the back room, which hosts live music every night of the week. The intimate performance space fits about 200 people, with a small stage and standing room only. I saw an up-and-coming indie band play a high-energy set to a packed crowd.

The sound system delivers, making it feel like you’re at a proper concert despite the venue’s compact size.In between sets, everyone mingled around the bar area just off stage.

Great For: Groups of Friends

📍94 Parkway, London NW1 7AN, United Kingdom

Jazz Cafe

 

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The Jazz Café hosts incredible jazz, soul, and blues musicians from around the world. I’ve seen some unforgettable performances on that stage over a perfectly mixed negroni cocktail. The sounds of smooth jazz with the faint chatter of the crowd creates such an intimate, speakeasy-like environment.

And the bar menu is excellent too – the juicy burgers are to die for after a few cocktails! With its excellent live music, quirky atmosphere, and signature cocktails.

The Jazz Cafe is definitely one of the coolest bars in Camden or throughout London for that matter. If you’re looking for a more relaxing music-filled night, you’ll find that Jazz cafe has what you want and more!

Great For: Groups of Friends, Pub Crawlers

📍5 Parkway, London NW1 7PG, United Kingdom

The Camden Assembly

 

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One of the things that makes the Camden Assembly stand out is its extensive cocktail menu. Their signature cocktails are so creative, like the ‘Whiskey Sour’ made with Maker’s Mark whiskey and ginger honey syrup. The bartenders really know their stuff and can whip up anything you ask for.

I tried two cocktails while I was there – an Aperol Spritz and a Pornstar Martini – both were delicious! They also have a great selection of wines, beers, spirits, and non-alcoholic options.

But the upstairs club space is where the real party is at – the dance floor gets packed on weekend nights when they have live bands and DJs playing everything from indie rock to house music, ensuring we had a memorable nightlife in Camden.

Great For: Groups of Friends, Pub Crawlers

📍49 Chalk Farm Rd, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8AN, United Kingdom

Bar Gansa

Bar Gansa is one of my absolute favorite spots for tapas and drinks in Camden Town. Nestled on Inverness Street just steps from the bustling Camden Lock, it has such an authentic Spanish vibe.

The warm lighting, terracotta walls, and wooden tables make you feel like you’ve been transported to a little tapas bar in Barcelona. As soon as I walked in, the aromas of sizzling chorizo and garlic greeted me – it smelled incredible!

The food was so fresh and flavorful, just like I had in Spain. Between the tapas, I sipped on another glass of sangria and took in the lively atmosphere. The place really comes alive on Sundays when they have live flamenco performances – the clapping and guitar music immerses you in Spanish culture.

Great For: Close Friends, Catching up with Friends

📍2 Inverness St, London NW1 7HJ, United Kingdom

Lockside Camden

On my last visit, my friends and I sat at the bar and ordered some of Lockside’s signature cocktails like the refreshing Aperol Spritz and the whiskey-based Penicillin with ginger honey syrup. We also ordered some food from their pop-up kitchen – the juicy burgers hit the spot after a few drinks!

With delicious cocktails, great music, and stunning canal views, Lockside Camden is definitely one of the best bars in London for a fun night out. I’d highly recommend stopping by whether you want a laidback afternoon drink or an evening out dancing the night away.

Great For: Groups of Friends

📍75-89 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF, United Kingdom

Lock Tavern

On a recent Saturday night, my friends and I headed to the Lock Tavern, a lively pub located right in the heart of bustling Camden Town. As soon as we walked in, the energetic vibe was palpable – the bar was packed with a young, stylish crowd sipping on cocktails and swaying along to the DJ spinning upbeat tunes.

The food hit the spot after a long day exploring Camden Market just across the street. As the night went on, the music got louder and the dance floor got more crowded. My friends and I had a blast singing along to throwback hits and dancing the night away

Great For: Groups of Friends, Couples

📍35 Chalk Farm Rd, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8AJ, United Kingdom

The Blues Kitchen

 

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The Blues Kitchen in Camden is widely regarded as one of the best bars in the bustling Camden area, known for its lively nightlife scene. Located right on Camden High Street, close to the hustle and bustle of the famous Camden Market and the heart of Camden Town, The Blues Kitchen stands out for its dedication to live blues, soul, and funk music.

It also houses London’s largest collection of bourbon whiskey, and serves creative cocktails like the Whiskey Smash, made with Maker’s Mark bourbon and ginger honey syrup. The Blues Kitchen is known for its delicious American barbecue fare like juicy burgers, buffalo wings, and ribs, as well as weekend brunch options like pancakes and fried chicken.

I’ll definitely be coming back soon and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for good food, drinks and music in a lively atmosphere right in the heart of Camden.

Great For: Close Friends, Pub Crawlers, Groups of Friends

📍111-113 Camden High St, London NW1 7JN, United Kingdom

BrewDog Camden

The BrewDog Camden is definitely one of the best bars in Camden. Located just a stone’s throw from Camden Town Underground station on Bayham Street, it’s in the heart of the hustle and bustle of Camden. As soon as you step inside, you can tell this is a cool bar in Camden, with an eclectic mix of brick, wood, and metal décor giving it an edgy, industrial vibe.

With 20 beers on draught and 150 different bottled beers from around the world, BrewDog Camden has an incredible selection of craft beers. They offer a great mix of BrewDog’s own Scottish brews like the flagship Punk IPA, as well as guest craft beers from top breweries like Stone, Lagunitas, and Mikkeller.

The bar has a fun, informal atmosphere with crude graphics and studenty beer names like Trashy Blonde, Punk, and Hardcore setting the jokey, blokey tone.

Great For: Catching up with Friends

📍113 Bayham St, London NW1 0ND, United Kingdom

Simmons Bar

Simmons Bar in Camden is one of my favorite bars in London. Located right next to Camden Town station, it’s very easy to get to and right in the heart of the bustling Camden area. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by the happy atmosphere and funky retro interior. Neon signs, disco balls, and pop art adorn the walls, giving it a kitschy, colorful vibe.

In addition to cocktails, Simmons has a great selection of wines, beers, spirits and bar snacks. I tried one of their juicy burgers with fries, which really hit the spot. They also have a nice outdoor terrace for when the weather is pleasant.

The bartenders are very friendly, mixing and serving drinks with flair. The service is fast and efficient, even when it gets busy. Overall, Simmons Bar is one of the coolest and most fun bars in Camden. With its retro vibe, signature cocktails, happy hours and lively music, it’s definitely one of the best places to drink in North London.

Great For: Catching up with Friends, Groups of Friends

📍7-9 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 8NH, United Kingdom

Looking for More Guides? 

When you’re finished with the best Camden bars and best pubs. We have a lot more guides for you to check out! We have guides and revews if you’re looking  for the best things to do in Camden, best places to visit, top cafes, and a lot more! 

And if the borough of Camden feels a bit too small, we’ve also got you covered for other club nights all throughout London!