Royal Sovereign

You'll find yourself on Preston Street between the North Laine bustle and the quieter residential bits, which is exactly where the Royal Sovereign sits—close enough to the action but far enough removed that it feels like an actual neighbourhood pub rather than a tourist trap. Inside, it's got that lived-in comfort of a place people actually drink in regularly, with enough character to keep things interesting without trying too hard. The kind of spot where regulars have their usual seats and the staff know what you're having before you ask.