The Artful Dodger

You'll find yourself on Royal Mint Street in Tower, tucked into one of those corners of East London that still feels genuinely lived-in. The Artful Dodger pulls off something increasingly rare: it's a proper pub that doesn't try too hard. There's real ale on tap, the kind of unpretentious food that actually tastes good, and a crowd that mixes locals with people who've deliberately sought the place out. It's the sort of spot where you can nurse a pint and actually hear yourself think, or settle in with mates for an evening without anyone making you feel like you're in the way.