The Most Instagrammable Pub Crawls in London You Need to Check Out

London’s pub scene isn’t just about pints and chatter-it’s a visual playground where every corner tells a story, every wall has a mural, and every drink comes with a backdrop that stops scrollers mid-feed. If you’re looking for the most Instagrammable pub crawls in London, you don’t need to chase trends. You just need to know where to step inside.

1. The Ten Bells in Spitalfields: Where History Meets Hipster

Start your crawl at The Ten Bells in Spitalfields. This 18th-century pub isn’t just famous for being near the site of Jack the Ripper’s crimes-it’s a living museum with exposed brick, vintage mirrors, and a ceiling painted with hand-stenciled constellations. The back room, lit by Edison bulbs and lined with velvet booths, is a favorite for portrait shots. Order a gin and tonic from their in-house distillery, and snap it against the wall of faded 1920s newspaper clippings. The lighting here is golden hour all day long.

2. The Blind Beggar in Whitechapel: Graffiti Meets Gothic

Just a short walk from The Ten Bells, The Blind Beggar is where you trade quiet history for bold art. The exterior is a rotating canvas for street artists, and in 2024, a massive mural of a crow wearing a crown by local artist Kobra became an instant landmark. Inside, the bar is carved from reclaimed oak, and the ceiling is hung with hundreds of dangling copper lanterns. It’s the kind of place where your drink photo looks like a scene from a Wes Anderson film. Pro tip: Visit on a Friday night when the staff light the fireplace and play vinyl records-perfect for warm, moody shots.

3. The Prospect of Whitby in Wapping: River Views and Rustic Charm

Head east to Wapping, where the Thames bends and the air smells like salt and coal smoke. The Prospect of Whitby, established in 1520, is London’s oldest riverside pub. Its wooden beams sag with age, the floor is uneven from centuries of footsteps, and the windows look out onto the dock where pirate ships once tied up. In winter, the pub sets up outdoor heaters and string lights along the riverbank. Grab a pint of Fuller’s London Pride, stand by the railing, and capture the silhouette of Tower Bridge glowing behind you. It’s the kind of shot that says, “I’m not just in London-I’m in its bones.”

4. The Red Lion in Soho: Neon, Nostalgia, and Niche

Soho’s The Red Lion is a love letter to 1970s Britain. The walls are covered in vintage posters from old British films, music magazines, and political cartoons. The bar is lit by pink neon signs that read “Bitter” and “Lager,” and the jukebox plays only British punk and post-punk from 1977 to 1985. The bathroom? A photo op in itself-tiled in retro blue and white, with a mirror framed in brass and a sign that says “No Photos, But You’re Already Here.” This isn’t just a pub crawl stop-it’s a cultural moment. Order a pint of Camden Hells and let the neon reflect off your glass.

5. The Shakespeare’s Head in Covent Garden: Theatrical Flair

Tucked behind the Royal Opera House, The Shakespeare’s Head is where drama spills onto the pavement. The interior is a curated collection of theatre memorabilia: original playbills, vintage costumes, and a wall of actor portraits from the 1950s. The bar counter is made from repurposed stage flooring, and the ceiling is painted with constellations that mirror the night sky over London. On weekends, they host live poetry slams and acoustic sets-perfect for capturing candid moments. Try their signature “Soliloquy Stout,” served in a glass engraved with a quote from Macbeth. It’s the only pub in London where your drink comes with a monologue.

6. The Jugged Hare in Islington: Gourmet and Gritty

For those who want their pub crawl to feel like a foodie adventure, The Jugged Hare in Islington delivers. The walls are lined with copper pots, antlers, and vintage hunting maps. The bar serves house-cured meats, wild game pies, and a rotating selection of craft ales from microbreweries across the UK. Their signature drink? The “Hare’s Tail Negroni,” made with sloe gin and served in a vintage cocktail coupe. The lighting here is soft, warm, and forgiving-ideal for food photography. Don’t miss the outdoor courtyard, where fairy lights twinkle above wrought-iron tables and the scent of rosemary and woodsmoke lingers in the air.

7. The Blue Posts in Camden: Punk Rock Meets Pastel

Camden isn’t just about the market-it’s about the pubs tucked between the stalls. The Blue Posts, a 19th-century alehouse turned indie hangout, is a riot of color. The walls are painted in pastel blues and pinks, covered in hand-drawn doodles by regulars. The bar is made from recycled vinyl records, and the ceiling is strung with vintage cameras and film reels. It’s the only pub in London where you can order a pint and a zine from the same counter. Their “Punk Pale Ale” comes with a sticker you can peel off and stick on your phone case. Snap a selfie with the wall of handwritten lyrics from The Clash, and tag it #CamdenNotJustMarket.

How to Plan Your Instagrammable Pub Crawl in London

Don’t just wander. Plan it like a photo shoot.

• Start early-most of these pubs get crowded after 7 PM.
• Wear something that contrasts with the background. A red coat in The Ten Bells’ brick alley? Perfect.
• Bring a portable LED ring light. Indoor lighting in old pubs is dim, and your phone’s flash ruins the mood.
• Use natural light when you can. The Prospect of Whitby’s river view at 5 PM is better than any filter.
• Ask the bar staff for photo tips. They’ve seen hundreds of shots-and they know where the best angles are.

What to Avoid

Not every pub with a mural is worth the trip. Skip the ones that look like they were designed for TikTok. If the place has a “Photo Booth” sign, a branded cocktail named after an influencer, or a menu with emojis instead of descriptions, walk away. The best Instagrammable spots in London aren’t trying to be viral-they’re just authentically beautiful.

Final Thought: It’s Not About the Likes

The real magic of these pubs isn’t how many likes your photo gets. It’s how they make you feel-like you’ve slipped into a secret layer of London that most tourists never see. The creak of the floorboards, the smell of ale and old wood, the way the light hits a pint just right. That’s what stays with you long after the filter fades.