No 1 of the 50 greatest London pubs – Timeout

Fancy a pint? Glass of wine? Gin and tonic? Of course you do, and living in London you're not short of places to find them. There are about 7,000 pubs in this city and they're all very happy to greet customers who have just completed their month off the booze. It's not just drink – atmosphere, history, service and location all play a part in creating a great London pub. But, according to Camra, 'around two pubs close every week in London'. It would be a tragedy to lose this beloved institution, so really Londoners are honour-bound to go to the boozer as often as possible We've picked our favourites and our editors have chosen the significant watering holes in their worlds. Which are the best pubs for fashion fiends? For food-lovers? For cinephiles? For bookish types? They're all here, now go out and enjoy them...

"British filmmaker Michael Powell captured the Newman Arms and its neighbouring alleyway in his 1960 masterpiece 'Peeping Tom' and this small, two-floor Fitzrovia pub still feels like a remnant of that era – though the area's prostitutes are long gone. Staff are friendly, they serve toasties at the bar for £1.50 while upstairs are excellent homemade pies in a throwback dining room. A large pie with trimmings and a pint of Guinness and a pudding will set you back about £18, plus about half an inch on the waist."

Dave Calhourn – Film Editor, Timeout