The Dublin Castle

You're walking down Parkway in Camden and stumble into this place—it's exactly what a neighbourhood pub should be. The Dublin Castle has been pulling pints and hosting live bands since the '80s, and it still feels like the locals' secret, even though everyone knows about it. The upstairs room is intimate enough that you can actually see the band without craning your neck, and downstairs there's always a good mix of tourists and proper regulars arguing about football. It's the kind of place where a £4 pint tastes better because the stage is three metres away and someone's genuinely talented is playing.