Posted 1 day ago
Wed 10 Dec, 2025 11:12 AM
After a few months in London, I’ve learned a thing or two about the pub scene. With these quick tips, you’ll be ordering pints, joining quiz nights, and soaking up the local vibe like a pro. Plus, I’ve included a few of my favorite pubs at the end!
1. Order at the Bar Most pubs don’t offer table service, so you’ll need to go up to the bar to order your drinks. Luckily, the first time we went to a pub, we were with a local who explained this, otherwise, we would’ve just kept sitting there waiting for someone to take our order… which, of course, never happens in a pub! Lesson learned!
2. Not All Pubs Are the Same! One of the first things I learned: if you don’t like one pub, that doesn’t mean you won’t love another. Each place has its own character: some are loud and perfect for a night out, others host quiz nights, karaoke, or darts; some are small and cozy, great for catching up with friends. There’s truly a pub for everyone, so try a few until you find your favorite!
3. Know the Beer Lingo A few basics that helped me fit right in:
- Pint = 568 ml
- Half pint = 284 ml Popular choices include lager, ale, bitter, stout, and cider
4. What to Order? Most pubs do have a cocktail menu, but the main drinks of choice are usually beer and wine. Beer is served by the pint or half pint. Personally, I love cocktails, my favorite is an Aperol Spritz, but not every pub has it. That’s actually how I got into white wine, and now I’m obsessed! Don’t be afraid to try new things; your taste might surprise you.
If you don’t drink for cultural or personal reasons, that’s totally fine. You can always go for a soft drink like ginger ale, lemonade, or soda.
5. Meet Your Classmates Over a Pint Pubs are one of the best ways to get to know your classmates and hallmates! They’re a huge part of local culture, and it’s super common for people to grab a pint after classes (especially on Thursdays). LSE actually has three pubs on campus, but if you ever feel like exploring beyond, you’ll find pubs literally all over London. Here are some of the spots we went to with my program friends!
6. Embrace Pub Crawls Pubs aren’t just about one drink, it’s all about the experience! I did my first pub crawl with my classmates, and it was such a fun way to explore different spots, meet new people, and see a bit more of London. You’ll quickly notice how every pub has its own vibe, from historic and charming to loud and neon-lit.
Pubs I’ve Been to (and Recommend!) Here are some of the pubs I’ve checked out so far — the first three were part of a pub crawl, so they’re all close to each other. The others are near Butler’s Wharf, which is also a great area to explore. And don’t worry, London’s transport makes it super easy to get anywhere!
1. The Dean Swift
Literally 1 minute walk from Butlers Wharf! Perfect place to get to know your hall mates!
2. Commercial Travern
7 min walk from Lilian Knowles House, and quick bus rides from Sydney Webb and Butlers Wharf
3. Brick Lane Tap Room
7 min walk from Lilian Knowles House, and quick bus rides from Sydney Webb and Butlers Wharf
4. The Vault 1984
7 min walk from Butlers Wharf. The view of Tower Bridge at night is fantastic!
5. The Astronomer
3 min walk from Lilian Knowles House. Forgot to take a picture because I was having too much fun!! But below you can find the Google Maps link.
