10 Best West Hampstead Pubs You Should Check Out
If you’re searching for something a little more laid-back than what you may find in Central London, checking out the West Hampstead pubs is a good idea.
One of London’s wealthiest areas, West Hampstead, is noted for its international restaurants, artisanal food shops, and fashion boutiques on West End Lane. Three rail and subway stations are within walking distance of each other, making this an ideal location for commuting.
Many writers, actors, and musicians have made their homes in West Hampstead throughout the years, and the area continues to draw this type of creative crowd. Emma Thompson, Robert Webb, and Bill Nighy are just a few of the well-known residents of West Hampstead who may be seen out and about in one of the neighborhood’s many pubs and cafés.
How do I get there?
With the London Overground, TfL’s Underground, and bus services, West Hampstead is easily accessible.
The London Underground’s Jubilee Line takes only 15 minutes to get you from Central London to West Hampstead. At least one train departs every 10 minutes from London St. Pancras International LL to West Hampstead on Thameslink’s London Overland route.
London Buses run the 139 bus from Trafalgar Square to West Hampstead and on to Golders Green, departing every 10 minutes or so. West Hampstead is also served by the 338 service, which runs from Chelsea to Golders Green.
A train will cost you £5, a bus will cost you £3, and a cab roughly £20 to get to West Hampstead from downtown London.
Best West Hampstead Pubs
This part of North London is a great place to hang out with friends for post-dinner drinks. Here are 10 of the best West Hampstead pubs you should check out when in the area.
1. Black Lion
The Black Lion is a West Hampstead pub that promises to provide excellent food and drinks in a laid-back atmosphere. They have a huge back garden with a split level that gets the evening sun. There will be a wide variety of ales on tap at The Black Lion, including some of the most popular beers in the country.
Food prepared with care by the head chef and his staff are served in a casual atmosphere with an extensive wine list, artisan beer, and inventive cocktails.
There is also a front terrace that makes for a great spot for breakfast or lunch.
2. Bobby Fitzpatrick
273 W End Ln, London NW6 1QS, United Kingdom
Located on West End Lane, Bobby Fitzpatrick’s serves rum cocktails, slushies, draught beer, pizza, and `70s nostalgia. It’s a 1970s-themed pub, diner, and lounge that serves up comfort food and quirky cocktails.
If you’re looking for a time machine that takes you back to the 1970s, this is the place to go.
Bobby Fitzpatrick in West Hampstead is a terrific place to get up with pals for a drink or two — a great hangout spot favored by locals and tourists alike.
Those who have visited this establishment have praised the pleasant personnel and the wide variety of beverages on offer. It’s also possible to request a cocktail that isn’t on the menu!
3. Heads + Tails
175 West End Lane, West Hampstead, London, NW6 2 LH, United Kingdom
The great thing about this place is that on the upper level of the establishment is Heads, which is light-filled and serves drinks with a lower alcohol content or even no alcohol at all. The room is long and bright, with turquoise, cream, and light brown tones filling the space. At the back, there is a lovely drinking garden where you may enjoy a few drinks in the sunshine.
Downstairs is Tails, which is a darker bar providing West London’s greatest black spirits and heavier alcoholic cocktails. The chocolate-themed decor is complemented with a lower lighting level, creating a surprisingly cozy and intimate atmosphere.
Aside from cocktails, there aren’t many options if you’re more of a beer person. Here, you’ll only discover the finest in craft beer, free of artificial flavors or preservatives. Guinness is also available.
There are only a few small meals and nibbles on the menu at Heads and Tails, and the drinks menu is just as minimal.
This is the ideal, no-fuss spot to hang out if you’re looking to chill after a long day of exploring the city.
4. The Alice House
283-285 West End Lane, West Hampstead, London, NW6 1RD, United Kingdom
Alice House is one of those pubs in West Hampstead founded in the spirit of the people who reside there. This hangout spot offers a comfortable setting for business and community gatherings as well as wonderful fair-trade coffee and delicious seasonal food. These are all served by a helpful and personable staff that is familiar with the needs of their customers.
Bartenders, meanwhile, serve up seasonal drinks and locally-sourced fare at the bar, which has a wonderful selection of local craft beer and wine. Whether it’s a quick drink after work or an evening meal with family and friends or hosting an occasion that will be remembered, Alice House has a way to make everyone feel at home.
5. The Alliance
100 West End Lane, West Hampstead, London, NW6 2LU, United Kingdom
If you’re a cat lover, you should stop by The Alliance West Hampstead to meet Spike, the pub’s tabby. It’s odd, however, that this dog-friendly tavern is home to such a well-known house cat.
In this Alliance West Hampstead pub, local artists and photographers are frequently encouraged to decorate the walls with their artwork. Weekly quiz nights and Sunday roasts are held at the pub, and there are also regular sporting events on TV, yet it doesn’t feel like a sports bar at all.
This pub is relatively smaller compared to others in this list, but this does not imply a more congested environment or noisier crowds. It creates a cozier atmosphere within The Alliance.
As West Hampstead pubs go, this one features the widest selection of hand-pulled brews, as well as many cold taps. The menu is influenced by British cuisine and is kept to a bare minimum while yet giving high-quality selections, so you won’t be overwhelmed when you order.
If all of this isn’t enough to persuade you to pay a visit to the Alliance West Hampstead, you can always count on Spike the Cat.
6. The Gallery
190 Broadhurst Gardens, London NW6 3AY, United Kingdom
A beautiful pub and restaurant, The Gallery can be found within walking distance of the West Hampstead tube station which is only two minutes away. It has dim lighting, brick walls that are exposed, and a little wooden raised gallery that looks out over the room. All of these elements combine to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it an ideal spot to socialize with friends on cold winter nights.
While enjoying your food or drink, you can peruse the shelves that line the walls, which are stocked with books. You may also choose from one of the many board games that are at your disposal while you sip a drink from the bar.
7. The Railway
100 West End Lane, West Hampstead, London, NW6 2LU, United Kingdom
The Railway is the epitome of a traditional English pub, and if that’s what you want, you’ve come to the right place. It is directly across the street from The Gallery, and it is known for its excellent pub dinners as well as the laid-back and pleasant service it provides. It provides a generous amount of room and many huge tables that are ideal for hosting gatherings.
If you are searching for a place to watch major sporting events such as football, rugby, or cricket matches, this establishment offers live sports screenings.
There’s also a pool table, in addition, to keep you occupied and challenging yourself a bit.
8. Wolfpack West Hampstead
291-293 W End Ln, London NW6 1RD, United Kingdom
The Wolfpack tap pub in Queens Park has a bigger brother in West Hampstead. When it comes to craft beer, there’s no shortage of options at this neighborhood pub. The rotating tap wall features 15 of the best domestic and international craft beers on tap, and the wine and tequila selections are second to none.
You may also feast on street food favorites like Wolfpack Smash Burgers and chicken wings when the wolf in you gets hungry.
The atmosphere is warm and cozy, and there are no strangers in sight — only people you’ve yet to meet.
9. The North London Tavern
375 Kilburn High Rd, London NW6 7QB, United Kingdom
The North London Tavern is a popular gathering place in the vicinity of West Hampstead. Fish and chips, sausage and mash, and every other dish that is beloved by its loyal patrons can all be found on a menu that is completely authentically British.
This West Hampstead pub is a terrific spot to know about if you want to have a late night beyond the regular “11.30 pub closing,” as it stays open until 2 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. They also have a DJ in the bar area, who plays a variety of different types of music for you to vibe on while enjoying your drink.
10. Luna Gin Bar
188 Broadhurst Gardens, London NW6 3AY, United Kingdom
Luna Gin Bar promises an amazing Gin experience, paired with delicious Mediterranean food, a relaxed atmosphere, and friendly and 5-star service from their staff.
You will love their ambient mood lighting, plus the location is great — just around the corner from West Hampstead Tube Station. There are parking bays and a bus stop directly outside.
With Luna Gin Bar’s impeccable food and cocktail, highly-professional service, and convenient location, this is definitely one of the best West Hampstead bars you shouldn’t miss.
