This pub was chosen editorially as one of the top 10 best craft beer pubs in London, 2014. It was also voted among the best in Kentish Town by Londonist readers.
A refurbished and revitalised incarnation of an old-fashioned boozer, the Southampton Arms has managed to retain a relaxed, local feel, even at busy times. Twelve hand pumps on the bar are mostly used to dispense cask ales from independent UK brewers, and six further pumps behind the bar offer ciders. There are also two keg taps, serving beers from the likes of Camden Town.
It's a friendly but no-nonsense kind of place. They don't have a phone, don't take reservations, and have a minimalist website.
Food offerings seem to mostly revolve around pork – ranging from packets of scratchings (of course) to meat from a roast joint. The pub’s location, awkwardly between Kentish Town and Gospel Oak stations, might be mildly inconvenient for some, but once you’re there you’ll be happy to hang around for a while. Hit the place when the pianist is in full swing and you'll be grinning like a tomfool all evening.
Oh, and one of only a handful of places (see also Ye Olde Mitre and The George) to have an outdoor toilet.
On Twitter as @TheSouthamptonNW5