Real pub with a friendly atmosphere

On paper, this pub should be awful: hard to find, it's hidden off the City Road and surrounded by a council estate and various factories.

Inside, the pub itself, the decor doesn't appear to have been updated since England won the World Cup and it's full of locals who know each other's names.

But, once you've found it, it's a gem: boasting the largest selection of real ales in North London, you'll easily find quirkily-named, rare brews from obscure companies. The turnover is pretty high, so the selection could well entirely change between visits - even in the same week.

Weekend nights are especially popular, with a trio of elderly gents usually in residence playing some fine jazz, while the Thursday quiz night attracts the crowds to an already very busy pub, but there's always something on. The locals create a genuinely friendly atmosphere, just like a real pub should. Highly recommended - just don't flash your 2,000 quid laptop around on the way there.

CLIENTELE: locals, regulars. Real Ale fans, a smattering of Hoxtonites
NEAREST STATION: Old Street Station
PHONE NUMBER: 020 7608 3406
FEATURES: real ale - regular guest beers, function room available, traditional pub games, live music, quiz night Thursday

The Wenlock Arms
26 Wenlock Road, N1 7TA