Kentish Town's Best Kept Secrets: A Local's Guide to Hidden Pubs and Independent Shops
While the masses flock to Camden Lock's overpriced vintage stalls and chain pubs masquerading as 'alternative', those in the know slip quietly north to Kentish Town. This scruffy patch of NW5 might look unremarkable to the untrained eye, but scratch beneath its grimy surface and you'll find a treasure trove of proper pubs, vinyl havens, and shops that haven't sold their soul to Instagram aesthetics.
Pubs That Actually Give a Damn
The Pineapple on Leverton Street stands like a beautiful anachronism, its Victorian tiles intact and its jukebox loaded with everything from The Clash to obscure northern soul. This is where local musicians drink between gigs, nursing pints of London Pride (£5.50) while plotting their next sonic assault. The back room hosts intimate acoustic sessions most Wednesdays - no booking required, just turn up and hope for magic.
For something even more underground, seek out The Bull & Last on Highgate Road. Yes, it's technically Dartmouth Park, but it's close enough to claim as Kentish Town royalty. This gastropub hybrid manages to serve exceptional food (Sunday roasts £18-22) without losing its soul to gastro-wankery. The beer garden buzzes with creative types debating everything from Krautrock to gentrification over craft ales (£5-7).
The Torriano on Torriano Avenue deserves a mention for its commitment to live music. This scruffy boozer has been championing unsigned acts since the 1980s, hosting everything from folk to post-punk in its upstairs room. Gigs usually run Thursday to Saturday (£5-10 entry), and the sound system is surprisingly decent for such an unassuming venue.
Vinyl Archaeology and Literary Rebellion
Flashback Records on Fortess Road is where serious collectors come to dig for buried treasure. This isn't some sanitised record shop for casual browsers - it's a proper cave of vinyl where you might uncover a rare Buzzcocks pressing next to a forgotten reggae 45. Prices are fair (singles from £2, LPs from £8), and the staff actually know their stuff rather than just looking the part.
Keith Fawkes on Kentish Town Road has been selling books since 1978, long before independent bookshops became trendy talking points. The poetry section is particularly strong, reflecting the area's literary heritage - Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath once walked these streets. Open Tuesday to Saturday, it's the antithesis of corporate book retail, with handwritten recommendations and cats that judge your reading choices.
For musical instrument nerds, Macari's Musical Exchange tucked away on Kentish Town Road is a goldmine of vintage gear. This family-run business has been supplying musicians with everything from rare effects pedals to battered Stratocasters since the 1950s. Prices vary wildly, but bargains exist for those willing to rummage (guitars from £150, amps from £100).
Caffeine and Counter-Culture
Forget the flat white fanaticism elsewhere - Café Seventy Nine on Regents Park Road serves proper coffee to proper locals. The owner, a former music journalist, has filled the walls with gig posters and album covers, creating an atmosphere that feels more like a mate's front room than a business. Flat whites are £3, breakfast runs until 3pm, and the playlist veers from Joy Division to Gil Scott-Heron.
Assembly Coffee on Kentish Town Road takes its beans seriously without the pretension that plagues many specialty coffee shops. The industrial interior suits the neighbourhood's rough edges, and they roast their own beans on-site. Perfect for laptop warriors and caffeine addicts alike (espresso £2.50, filter coffee £3-4).
When to Strike
Visit Kentish Town on Saturday afternoons when the record shops are busiest and the pub gardens start filling with musicians and writers. Avoid Sunday evenings when everything closes early and the area feels slightly apocalyptic. The best discoveries happen on weekday afternoons when shop owners have time to chat and share their knowledge.
Most importantly, approach Kentish Town with the right attitude. This isn't a theme park version of alternative London - it's the real thing, slightly rough around the edges and all the better for it. Come with curiosity rather than expectations, and you'll understand why locals guard these secrets so jealously.
