The Bricklayers Arms

You'll find The Bricklayers Arms tucked into Charlotte Road in Shoreditch, where it sits among the neighbourhood's mix of galleries, design studios and actual residents who aren't trying too hard. It's the kind of pub that feels like it's been holding its own for ages—wood-panelled, with a decent jukebox and enough regulars to give it proper atmosphere without being exclusionary. The beer list skews thoughtful, the food is honest without being pretentious, and you can actually have a conversation without shouting over a DJ.