Looking for the best pubs in Elephant and Castle? These are the top boozers in the area serving up cracking pints.
Words by Sam Jean
Elephant and Castle is arguably London’s funkiest-named district. Though that’s not the only reason we love the neighbourhood.
Home to the iconic Ministry of Sound and the Imperial War Museum, Elephant and Castle blend modern London with culture and heritage – but we’re here to talk about pubs.
Whether you’re after pints, wine, burgers, fish and chips or salads, here are some of the finest pubs in Elephant and Castle.
The Best Pubs in Elephant and Castle
The Huntsman & Hounds
££
The Huntsman & Hounds is one of the coolest pubs near Elephant and Castle.
Don’t believe us? The huge leather sofas, blue bar, and bare brick walls make it one of the swishest places to drink in the area.
The (extremely limited) food menu offers a pimped up take on regular pub food – we’re talking about hearty toasties stuffed with mozzarella and pesto and fancy AF crisps. While the drinks menu is far more extensive, offering a wide selection of wines, beers, cocktails and softs.
The Albert Arms
££
Those after a historic boozer need look no further, The Albert Arms is a traditional gastropub in a Victorian building on Gladstone Street.
The condensed menu features the usual suspects like steak, pies and fish and chips backed up by a rather extensive wine list. A fine selection of cask and keg beers tops it off, and plenty of well-known and lesser-known brands are available.
The Sunday roast is awesome too, with sirloin, lamb shoulder, pork belly and mushroom, spinach and beetroot pate en croute.
Prince of Wales
££
Just down the road from the Imperial War Museum lies the Prince of Wales, a warm and friendly spot boasting a pool table, big portions and a huge range of beers, ciders and soft drinks.
Veggies and vegans won’t feel left behind as there’s a bigger-than-average selection of meatless dishes.
There are several big screens so expect live sport from the football, darts, etc – you can check out their social media pages to find out what’s screening.
The Rosy Hue
££
Located off Ash Avenue near Elephant Park, The Rosy Hue is a modern gastropub that offers quality pub food and drinks, bottomless brunches and piano nights on Saturdays.
The daytime menu offers a fresh take on pub grub, with some interesting choices like the Truffled Camembert and Cornish Coppa Ham Toastie, and Squash and Bell Pepper Curry – there’s plenty for veggies and vegans too.
Pub classics are well represented by the likes of pale ale battered fish and chips, burgers and flat iron steaks.
The Elephant and Castle Pub
£
With origins going back to 1765, the straightforwardly named Elephant and Castle Pub is super-simple and friendly. You’ll find it on Newington Causeway just a minute or two from the Tube station.
The menu offers pub classics, small plates and brunch, and the Sunday roast menu does what it says on the tin with generous portions. The food is also very fairly priced, with mains rarely costing more than around £15.
Oh, and there are plenty of big screens if you’re looking to watch live sport – gather your pals and get ready to celebrate (that is, if your team wins).
Four Quarters Elephant and Castle
££
We might be pushing the boundaries of the definition of a pub with this arcade-come-bar, but it’s irresistibly cool and impossible not to mention.
The Four Quarters is a haven for gamers with multiple console booths equipped with retro consoles like the N64 and PS1, etc, some 20 classic arcade and pinball machines and 2 larger gaming setups.
You’ll find heaps of craft beers, including the venue’s own Four Quarters Pale, cocktails and pub food like burgers, hot dogs, nachos and loaded fries. Booze, food and video games – it’s an epic combo.
The Tankard
££
While technically in neighbouring Kennington, The Tankard is but a stone’s throw from Elephant and Castle.
This BrewDog pub was a former haunt of Charlie Chaplin and offers stunning views of the Imperial War Museum from its rooftop terrace. The menu is stacked with burgers and pub classics, including the famous Beer Food Platter.
Drinks are largely beer-centric (it is a BrewDog, after all), but there are draught ciders, cocktails and loads of soft drinks too.
The Tankard is definitely one of the many pubs near Elephant and Castle worth a visit – we love its trademark combo of classic and modern pub food, and plenty of booze.
Spit and Sawdust
£
This wonderfully restored pub harks back to the 1850s and still retains much of its vintage charm. If you’re bored of beers, burgers and steak, then you’ll be pleased to hear the Spit and Sawdust offers tacos, rice bowls, nachos and quesadillas.
The Sunday roast features chicken hot pot, beef stew and vegan stew for just over a tenner, while the drinks menu is well-represented with craft beers and ciders from London and across the UK.
Tune into their socials to discover fun events like £2 tacos on Wednesday (a huge yes from us), the quiz night and regular cocktail club.
