The Old Red Lion

You'll find The Old Red Lion tucked away on Kennington Park Road, the sort of place that feels like it's been serving pints to the same crowd since forever—and honestly, that's its greatest strength. It's a proper pub in the old sense: wood-panelled, a bit worn round the edges, and completely unbothered by trends. The genius bit is the upstairs theatre space, which hosts everything from new writing to experimental productions, adding a genuine creative energy without any of the pretension you'd get elsewhere. Grab a real ale, settle in downstairs with the regulars, and soak up what good local pubs are actually supposed to feel like.