Best Served Beer Pubs

Let me tell you about The Wilton Arms in London, because this place? THIS PLACE is exactly where your next "just popping out for one" turns into "remember that legendary night when..." Trust me, I've got stories - and you're about to have some too. Tucked away in London's swankiest pocket, The Wilton Arms isn't just another pub - it's that perfect sweet spot between "fancy enough to impress" and "comfortable enough to stay all night." You know those places that just FEEL right the moment you walk in? Where the lighting makes everyone look like their Instagram filter and the vibe screams "tonight's gonna be good"? Yeah, that's this spot. Listen, I need to tell you about these sticky chicken thighs because OH. MY. GOD. They're basically what would happen if your grandma's secret recipe had a wild night out in Soho and came back speaking three languages. The kind of dish you'll be thinking about at random moments for weeks. And don't even get me started on their scotch eggs - they're what other scotch eggs have posters of on their walls. The drinks menu? *chef's kiss* Whether you're in for a perfectly poured pint or feeling fancy with their cocktails, they've got that beautiful balance of classics done right and creative concoctions that'll have you texting your friends "you NEED to try this." Their wine list is basically a European tour in a glass, minus the passport control drama. But here's the real magic of The Wilton Arms - it's got range. Like, serious range. Need a spot for that "meeting the parents" dinner? Done. First date? Perfect. Work celebration that needs to be juuust professional enough? Absolutely. That random Tuesday when you and your mates decide to make some questionable life choices? They've got you covered. The staff here? They're basically your coolest friends who happen to know everything about food and drink. They'll remember your usual, laugh at your jokes (even the bad ones), and somehow know exactly when you need that next round. Special shoutout to Michaela - she's basically the pub whisperer, making every visit feel like a homecoming. Speaking of comfort - dog people, REJOICE! Your four-legged friends are welcome here, which means you can combine your pub time with precious pet content for the 'gram. The outdoor seating area is prime real estate when London decides to do its rare sunny day thing, but the indoor space is where the real magic happens - all cozy corners and warm vibes. Pro tip: their sticky toffee pudding? It's not just dessert, it's basically an out-of-body experience. I've seen hardcore dessert skeptics turn into pudding evangelists after one bite. It's that good. Actually, scratch that - it's better. They take cards (including that fancy tap stuff), they've got space for groups (book ahead, trust me), and they're doing the whole vegetarian-friendly thing without making it their whole personality. It's just good food that happens to work for everyone. Look, here's the deal - The Wilton Arms is in that sweet spot where Knightsbridge keeps it classy, but you're not going to need to sell a kidney to have a good time. It's proper London pub culture with a glow-up, but without losing its soul in the process. So here's what you're going to do: Text your group chat RIGHT NOW. Tell them you've found the spot for next week. Because let's be honest - you could stay home, scroll through Netflix for 40 minutes, and watch another episode of that show you're not even sure you like anymore... OR you could be at The Wilton Arms, making the kind of memories that end up as next year's "remember when" stories. Your call, but I know where I'd rather be.

In the heart of An Muileann gCearr, The Granite stands as a testament to everything a proper Irish pub should be - and then some. Like that friend who never fails to lift your spirits, this beloved local haunt has been serving up perfectly poured pints and generous doses of craic for generations. The moment you push open that weathered wooden door, you'll understand why locals speak of The Granite in hushed, reverent tones usually reserved for family secrets and winning lottery numbers. Let's be honest - some pubs try too hard to be "authentic," plastering their walls with mass-produced Irish memorabilia that wouldn't fool a tourist fresh off the plane. But The Granite? It wears its authenticity like a well-worn jumper - comfortable, unassuming, and all the better for it. The dark wood bar, polished to a shine by countless elbows, tells more stories than any bartender ever could. Though if you're lucky enough to catch Hot Press behind the bar (a local legend whose nickname origin story changes depending on who you ask), you're in for some tales that would make your granny blush. The real magic of The Granite happens around the dart board, where friendly rivalries have been maintained for decades with the precision of diplomatic relations. The satisfying thunk of darts finding their mark provides a steady backbeat to the evening's symphony of clinking glasses and bursts of laughter. And let's talk about that pool table - it might not be tournament grade, but it's witnessed more dramatic match-winning shots than any professional arena. Just don't challenge the regular in the corner who's been nursing the same pint for three hours - trust me on this one. Speaking of pints, the Guinness here deserves its own poetry collection. Watching the careful pour is like witnessing a miniature theater production, complete with intermission (that crucial settling period) and a perfect finale topped with a creamy head so thick you could rest a coin on it. The bar staff treat each pour with the reverence of medieval alchemists, and the result is nothing short of liquid velvet. The atmosphere shifts like Irish weather throughout the day. Afternoons are for quiet pints and newspaper rustling, with sunlight filtering through windows that haven't been cleaned since the last papal visit (it adds character, they'll tell you). As evening approaches, the energy builds gradually, like a session warming up. Between the proper pints, the selection of wines that'll surprise you with their quality, and the easy conversation with whoever happens to be perched on the next stool, time has a way of slipping past unnoticed. What sets The Granite apart from other pubs in An Muileann gCearr isn't just the quality of its pours or the warmth of its welcome - it's the cast of characters who make it their second home. There's something wonderfully democratic about the place, where farmers and office workers, young couples and old timers, all find their own corner to settle into. The conversations flow as freely as the drinks, and it's not unusual to walk in alone and leave having made three new friends and gotten two job offers. The practicalities are refreshingly straightforward. There's free street parking right outside (though you might want to leave the car at home), they take cards as well as cash (a relatively recent concession to the modern world), and there's a proper bathroom that doesn't require an orienteering qualification to find. The pub's central location in An Muileann gCearr makes it an ideal starting point, ending point, or entire point of your evening. Here's the thing about The Granite - it's more than just another pub in An Muileann gCearr. It's a living, breathing piece of local history that happens to serve some of the finest pints you'll find anywhere. Whether you're a curious visitor or a longtime local, push open that door any evening after 5. Order yourself a pint, find a perch at the bar, and let the place work its magic. Just don't blame me if you end up staying until closing time, having learned three new card games and acquired a nickname you'll never shake off.