Pub in London NW5
Southampton Arms
139 Highgate Road, London, NW5 1LEClosest station: Gospel Oak, about 6 min walk4.7out of 5 on Google, from 1,471 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Southampton Arms
Casually decorated independent pub with a long bar and a guaranteed minimum of 18 beers and ciders.
Small boozer with a fire and pew style seating, a long thin bar which leads to a small garden at the rear. The ale selection is constantly changing and comes from small independent breweries across the UK.
In Sept 2024 the number of cask beers on handpump was 7, they are usually helpfully ordered palest on the left, darkest on the right. And the number of real ciders, from producers such as Luke's and Turners is now 6. 8 lines have been fitted for keg beers.
The pub won the Greater London Cider Pub of the Year Award 2010 after earlier winning the Branch Award. After being the Branch Pub of the Year in 2011 it then went on to be crowned the 2011 London Regional Pub of the Year. In 2024 it once again was voted Branch Pub of the Year. For 2017 and again in 2019, 2022 and 2023 it was the North London Cider Pub of the Year.
On the food front no gastro, just good bar snacks, pork pies, sausage rolls, scotch eggs, roast pork in baps plus veggie options. The music is played on vinyl which is great, there is also live piano music on Sundays and Tuesdays and Wednesdays. No tea, no coffee but a bloody mary kit is behind the bar. Pub stays open to midnight most days. Pub quiz Monday. Nearest transport options - Kentish Town or Gospel Oak.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.
Features
- Dog Friendly
- Outdoor Seating
- Real Fire
- Live Music: Live piano music on Sundays 6pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 8pm
- Serves Food
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner
- Real Ale
- Real Cider: Sept 2024 - up to 6 available such as Turners, Luke's and others regualrly changing
- Real Heritage Pub
- Good for Groups
- Smoking
- Accepts Debit Cards
- Accepts NFC
Opening times
- Monday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Tuesday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Wednesday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Thursday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Friday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday
- 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Independent
- Price
- 1 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
- Phone
- 07375 755539
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.7out of 5 on Google, from 1,471 ratings
5 out of 5Colby Goettelon Google, September 2024
Made a pilgrimage here because Clawhammer Supply recommended it. This is my favorite pub anywhere. Huge selection of cask ales, ciders, and draughts. Service is phenomenal. Pork sandwich is out of this world.
5 out of 5Alex Butleron Google, August 2024
Hands down my favourite pub in London. Incredibly kept beers, friendly service, great crowd. Proper pub.
5 out of 5Finnon Google, September 2024
Amazing vibes, super traditional decor. Great service and selection of independent drinks. The piano and saxophone on Wednesday is really cool and the records they play the rest of the time are great. I’m obsessed with coming back here. About £5 a pint but they have a pay per percentage system 👍
4 out of 5Izolda Biroon Google, October 2024
Great selection of delicious craft beers. I had the sour that they had on tap which was very pleasant. The place looks like our grandparents could have hung out here in the 1930s which I think adds to its charm.
2 out of 5B Von Google, August 2024
Has a really strong smell, kind of like the beer has gone off. I've often had a single drink there and felt unwell the next day, so I'm not sure the lines are cleaned properly. Not something I experience with other pubs. The garden can be pleasant but it's a courtyard setup, and when there are several smokers, the smoke lingers and can make it difficult to breathe if you're a non smoker. I sadly cannot recommend this pub for these reasons to anyone just visiting.
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.