The Southampton Arms in Kentish Town, North London feels like it’s been there forever—it’s all worn wood, rickety chairs, stained walls, and sepia photos.
Amazingly, it only celebrated its 10-year anniversary in November. Its cofounder, Pete Holt, is a soft-spoken guy who has that enviable skill of seeming to like exactly what everyone else likes. Despite the rise of keg beer and gastropubs he wanted to open a simple real ale boozer, and it seems everyone in North London approved.