The Golden Lion

You'll find yourself on Royal College Street in Camden, pushing through the doors of a pub that feels like it's been pulling pints in exactly the same spot for decades—because it basically has. The Golden Lion isn't trying to be anything other than what it is: a proper neighbourhood watering hole where locals actually want to spend their evenings. The bar staff know their regulars, the beer selection is thoughtful without being exhausting, and there's a real sense that this place exists for the community, not the Instagram crowd. It's the kind of pub where a random conversation with someone at the bar can turn into a genuinely good night.