The Army and Navy London

A True London Boozer

Sarra from London

I was born and raised in Greece before moving to London in 2004. What was meant to be a temporary adventure turned into nearly 20 years of calling one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals my home. These days, I work as a freelance researcher and writer, loving the flexibility that remote working brings. When London feels a bit too much, I escape back to Athens or set off to explore new corners of the...
"The Army and Navy, a 1930s pub near Newington Green, offers a cozy interior, a large beer garden, and a laid-back vibe. Enjoy a pint with a good company!"

A no-nonsense boozer that stays true to its old-school identity, The Army and Navy is the kind of place where you pop in for a quiet pint and somehow end up drinking the night away. Nestled near Newington Green, at the corner of Matthias Road and Elton Street, this Grade II-listed red-brick building was built in the 1930s for Truman Brewery and still holds onto its Neo-Georgian charm.

Its cosy interior features old wooden furniture, vintage vitrolite ceilings typical of Truman’s pubs, and a well-worn dark blue and burgundy oriental-style carpet soaked in both beer and history. Outside, the real star is the sprawling beer garden. Spacious and packed with covered, heated seating for when the weather turns, there is always a spot to settle in.

Expect a mix of older locals and Hackney’s indie crowd enjoying a lazy afternoon or a long evening session. On match days, finding a seat might be a challenge, yet if you are in for football, the huge TV screens and electric atmosphere will reward you.

The menu is limited to crisps and nuts, yet if after a few pints you fancy a bite, you can either bring in fish & chips from Micky’s Chippy across the street or have Yard Sale Pizza delivered straight to the pub. No frills, no gimmicks—just a proper London pub with good beer, a great crowd, and the kind of character that’s hard to find these days.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

London Spotter Sarra

I was born and raised in Greece before moving to London in 2004. What was meant to be a temporary adventure turned into nearly 20 years of calling one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals my home. These days, I work as a freelance researcher and writer, loving the flexibility that remote working brings. When London feels a bit too much, I escape back to Athens or set off to explore new corners of the world. I am all about walking, discovering, and soaking in the little details that make a place special. Whether it is searching for hidden gems on backstreets, meeting new people, or tr...

About this spot

1-3 Matthias Road, Mayville Estate

Guinness Pint:

£

6

Mar 10, 2025

Our London City Guide

Find your way with 276 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our London guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in London

Unwined

With a glass of wine

As an independent wine bar their focus is on stocking wines from smaller producers, lesser known regions and grape varieties, and also female winemakers.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

The Penny Drop

Proper coffee in Fitzrovia

The team at the Penny Drop are real coffee geeks in the best possible sense of the word and go to great lengths sourcing the best coffee beans out there.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Fortitude bakehouse

Sourdough enthusiasts heaven

If you arrive in the morning you’ll find their popular morning buns with a variety of fillings, sticky buns, beignets, and more!

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Rondo La Cave

A hip wine bar

Rondo La Cave is a hip wine bar situated in the basement of the Hoxton hotel and has a charming rustic interior with dim lighting.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Lamb's Conduit Street

Bloomsbury's hidden gem

Quiet yet somehow buzzing, classy yet unpretentious, central yet hidden. What impresses me most is the concentration of great spots in such a small area.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Milk cafe

Best brunch in London

The menu has all the brunch classics you’d expect and also some more unusual offerings as well as weekend specials that change regularly...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Bloomsbury Farmers' Market

A mid week treat

The Bloomsbury farmers market is a small market for fresh produce and lots of different food stalls held every Thursday on Bloomsbury square.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Southwark Brewing Company

A special spot

Southwark Brewing company has a range of traditional beers such as ales, IPAs, porter, and bitter - all really fresh and available on draft or bottle.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Museum Lates

Enjoy museums without the crowds

Museum Lates is a concept that is essentially a late-night opening when you can explore the exhibitions without the day-trip crowds getting in your way.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Stir Coffee Brixton

Coffee with a local vibe

Stir Coffee Brixton is a lovely neighbourhood coffee shop located on the corner of Brixton Hill and Arodene Road which has a very chilled vibe.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

House of Hodge

Books, books and more books

It was set up in 2009 by Highbury resident and cat enthusiast Doreen Rolph, as a place to raise funds for local animal welfare organisations.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Madeline

Gowers

Nov 21, 2025

Brunei Gallery

Art from across the globe

Past topics include tent-making in Islamic Cairo, recycling methods in Japan and underground pop culture in ‘50s to ‘80s Ghana.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Madeline

Gowers

Nov 21, 2025

Heading to London?

276 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

London app Home
London app Home
London app Map
London app Home

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

276 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Bars

Our team loves London

Get to know our other Spotters from London

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
19
Made with the 💚 of 496 Spotters.
Filters