The Admiralty, Trafalgar Square

You're standing in one of London's most iconic squares, and instead of queuing for a museum, you duck into this handsome Victorian boozer. The Admiralty sits right on the north side of Trafalgar Square, which means you get that brilliant vantage point of the chaos below—tourists, protesters, pigeons doing their thing—whilst you're warm inside with a pint. It's the kind of place that works equally well for a quick drink after work with mates or a leisurely afternoon when you've dragged visiting relatives around the National Gallery and need somewhere civilised to sit down. The wood panelling and proper pub atmosphere mean it doesn't feel like a tourist trap, even though the location absolutely could be one.