Hot pubs for cool kids in London

1/5
10 April 2012

London's new party set — Mark Ronson, Lily Allen, Pixie Geldof and co — are always falling out of the capital's nightclubs. But while they love nothing more than slipping behind a velvet rope into a VIP area, they're also partial to a pint and a pie at a good old-fashioned boozer. Want to know where Jaime Winstone sups on Corona and Daisy Lowe gets a round in? Here's where to hang out this weekend...

Boogaloo
Archway

What: Excellent late-night boozer boasting an enviable jukebox, with playlists selected by celebs including Primal Scream's Bobbie Gillespie
Who goes there: Who doesn't? The celeb regulars were tripping over their own trainers to play at a series of charity gigs in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust recently — Daisy Lowe, Noel Fielding, Nick Grimshaw and Remi Nicole, among many others, all took to the decks, while an unfeasibly beautiful daughter of Sting, Coco Sumner, proved her credentials on guitar.
Why it's cool: There's nothing "gastro" about it — the decor is basic, there's not much in the way of food and you have to dance in the space between the tables — but dance you will, when the party kicks off on Friday and
Saturday nights. The weekly music quiz attracts an army of anorak indie-band boys.
What it costs: Pint of lager £3, glass of wine £3.50.
312 Archway Road, N6 (020 8340 2928)

The Hawley Arms
Camden

What: The quintessential celebrity boozer, the Hawley has notched up more than its fair share of column inches in the newspaper showbiz sections, not least because its most famous punter is one Amy Winehouse.
Who goes there: Other A-listers who pop in include Noel Fielding, Johnny Borrell and Kirsten Dunst. However, the owners are keen to stress the likes of you and me are welcome for a cosy beer at any time.
Why it's cool: The pub, which burnt down and then reopened better than ever at the end of last year, even became the centre of a scene, the so-called Camden Caners' League.
What it costs: Pint of lager £3.30, small glass of pinot grigio £3.90.
2 Castlehaven Road, NW1 (020 7428 5979, thehawleyarms.co.uk)

The Double Club
Islington

What: This "pop-up bar" fuses high-concept modern art with Congolese culture and might not stay a secret for as long as it would like to.
Who goes there: Steve Jones, Coco Sumner, Alfie Allen, big sister Lily and NBF Giles Deacon have already strolled in for a drink in the unlikely location of an alley behind Angel Tube Station.
Why it's cool: It's a co-project between artist Carsten Höller and fashion designer Miuccia Prada. And it's only open until July.
What it costs: Congolese bottles of beer £4 to £5, bottle of wine £25
7 Torens Street, EC1 (020 7837 2222, thedoubleclub.co.uk)

The Griffin
Shoreditch

What: A fabulous old boozer, with a pool table and a spit 'n' sawdust atmosphere, that hasn't been poshed-up in even the smallest way. Until recently, it was just another down-at-heel drinking hole, but it's now a firm fixture on the celeb-stalker's pocket map.
Who goes there: A super-fash threesome of regulars Mark Ronson, Adele and Pixie Geldof were spotted smoking outside here recently.
Why it's cool: This is Shoreditch, so the after-work drinking crowd are media types and creatives. It's all about keepin' it real, with pickled eggs from the bar.
What it costs: Pint of lager £3.30, glass of wine £2.90
93 Leonard Street, EC2 (020 7739 6719)

The Punch Bowl
Mayfair

What: Madonna's divorce settlement with Guy Ritchie included a little quirk: he got the couple's stake in the Mayfair pub The Punch Bowl, in which Nick House, owner of Mahiki and Whisky Mist, also has a share.
Who goes there: Ritchie's friends, actor Mark Strong, Sting and his wife Trudie Styler, are fans, but the younger crowd love it, too. Mark Ronson kicked off his birthday celebrations here, with Jaime Winstone, Carl Barât, Nick Grimshaw and the whole gang.
Why it's cool: Guy loves sinking a cheeky pint here with his pals Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr, and even had his 40th birthday in the pub — a bash which ended in Irish songs and mayhem.
What it costs: Beer £3.80 a pint, glass of wine £4.10
41 Farm Street, W1 (020 7493 6841)

Masons Arms
Battersea

What: Celebs can cross the river, you know! Just because this big, swish corner pub has an SW postcode, doesn't mean it isn't gaining a reputation among the cool kids.
Who goes there: As it's within spitting distance of Pa Geldof's gaff, Pixie and Peaches are regulars, bringing their long limbs and naughty friends to the bar. And where the Geldof gals go, others (and the paps) will always follow...
Why it's cool: If you fancy Sunday lunch after a stroll along the river, here's the place. Upmarket and rammed to the rafters with good-looking people, it doesn't try too hard — you don't need to be in an indie band to get a pint here.
What it costs: Pint of lager £3.35, glass of wine £4
169 Battersea Park Road, SW8 (020 7622 2007)

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