The Dublin Castle

Historic Camden Icon With Live Music Magic

Tucked away in the gritty yet undeniably charming streets of Camden, The Dublin Castle is a glittering jewel in London's pub scene—albeit one with its share of rough edges. Picture this: you meander in past the tight-lipped security into a soundscape where melodies flow almost as freely as the notoriously steep pints of Guinness (£7.40 if you're keen to know). Slink back towards the history-soaked stage, where recently I've had the delight of witnessing some live alchemy as various bands resurrected nostalgic beats, once graced by legends like Madness and Amy Winehouse in their formative years. The warm chatter hovering in the air is enough to drown out even the vibrant noise pollution dreaded by locals on Gloucester Crescent.

Inside, you're greeted by a mixed bag—a hyper-capital Camden fusion of music-loving hipsters, steadfast regulars, and everyone in between, all unified under a love for pulsating rhythms and a joie de vivre that seems oblivious to the knocks from high beer tariffs. The staff? Charmingly rebellious and unfailingly efficient, though perhaps spread too thin to devote gobs of attention to the upkeep of facilities—a minor note of discord in this otherwise brilliant symphony of a venue. Quaint nostalgia aside, music lovers continue to throng this vivacious hub—it does, after all, function better as a cultural monument to London's rebellious music scene than just another pitstop for fine dining. With decor that inspires as many impromptu photos as it does dance-offs, it's a spot you're bound to visit for more than just the “menu”—it's an experience quilted tight with history, discovery, and the electrifying pulse of London's heart. — Milo Tastemaker