April 26, 2012
my favourite place in london .. great selection of ales and cider .. simple food but very good (especially the meat) piano play on tuesday ..

April 2, 2012
My son had just moved to this part of North London, so the wife and I decided we’d visit him and The Southampton Arms on the same weekend: the pub had been recommended to us by some London based friends and I knew it was within walking distance of his ‘squat’. We arrived early afternoon on a winters Saturday and could hardly get through the door, the place was heaving with humanity: our party of seven struggled down the full length of the fairly long but thin, single roomed pub and settled by the piano, my wife getting the stool, the rest of us standing for our first two pints before a group near us departed, leaving a table and chairs available. They don’t seem to have a chalkboard or beer list anywhere; you have to see the pump clips to know what’s on: difficult when the bar is three deep and the walkway between the bar and seating is blocked by customers also trying to see what is available at each end of the hand pulls. The ciders are easier to see, their taps being behind the servers and clearly visible the whole length of the bar. The beers I had were all fine and some of my party had some ciders, which again were fine. The staff were good, polite, calm and helpful: on one occasion after squeezing my way to the bar I patiently waited while one lady tried 3 different samples of cider before buying the one she liked, held up my ordering but I suppose that’s how a customer who is unsure should be treated. The actual pub is very basic in design and concept, no nonsense furniture and fittings along with no nonsense food and drink: meat or cheese, beer or cider, with only a very small choice of wine and spirits, this is a cask house foremost and last. The fame of the place grows and although well off the beaten track for most visiting tourists it is becoming a very popular meeting place for London drinkers and friends who know a thing or two about their drinks.

March 22, 2012
Hard to get to, but well worth the journey. Probably the freshest bunch of cask ales I’ve ever had in London. Specialises in small UK breweries and the choice was outstanding when I was in, including beers from Redemption, Marble Manchester, Camden and Otley. All served as fresh as a daisy. Pub itself is a cosy, warm place with a retro feel and nice beer garden. Food pairings are wonderful including slices of pork pie, pickled eggs, and other great british fare. Service is also very helpful and friendly. One of my fav pubs in London and hard to beat.

January 13, 2012
Greeat ambiance and a very good selection of Britsih craft-beers on cask. The bar-maid was not very friendly though...

December 4, 2011
There is always a bit of a treck to get out to this pub on our fairly infrequent visits to London, but it’s always worthwhile, it has the advantage of the bus dropping you right outside the front door though. There is a calm, relaxed atmosphere, although you do have to push through the barfly’s to get to see what’s on offer. There has always been an eclectic range of beers available, for all tastes, and in our experience generally in very good condition. It has been my favourite London pub for a couple of years now and I would recommend a visit if you possibly can.

November 11, 2011
Really nice old pub that is unfortunately for me is not that easy to get to. Great characterful beer garden out back - it’s cosy though! Well kept beers and good service. All in all a very nice place to while away a few hours.

October 21, 2011
Very small old pub that on the night I visited had a great guy on piano and another one on trumpet making the visit worthwile even if I didn’t like to drink beer! Fantastic! Had my first perry and mead in this place, besides some cask beers. Very nice place, thanks for showing me Mes!

October 14, 2011
Classic old local with a beer selection you don’t find most places! Sit by the fireplace and enjoy some rare cask ales in outstanding condition.

September 18, 2011 [ Updated February 19, 2012 ]
I like the Southampton Arms very much and I’m considering making it my local as it’s only a few minutes away on the North London line (now known as the London Overground). Its selection of ales and ciders from UK microbreweries is fantastic, their roast pork baps are delicious and the service is excellent. However, there is a rub: the place has become a victim of its own success and can sometimes get so crowded and noisy that it’s almost stressful to be there. If you pick your time right, though, and can find a space at one of the assorted tables or outside in the small garden at the back, it’s a delight. It has an old fashioned feel, as if it’s been put together with pieces from a salvage yard, right down to the tiles behind the bar which are reminiscent of butchers’ shops of old. They have a quiz on Mondays and a pianist – sometimes a trumpeter as well - on other evenings. (Last visited 14 January 2012).

August 13, 2011
Slightly hard environment - saloon rather than lounge. 60s vinyl being played - win! Lovely friendly staff. Great selection of ciders and perries. Everything well served. Pork pie delicious. Could survive with this as my local, certainly.