London's most famous fictional pubs from The Leaky Cauldron to The Winchester

London is packed with historic watering holes, but some of the most intriguing pubs exist only in the world of books, films, and TV.

From magical hideouts to zombie-infested boozers, these fictional taverns have become just as iconic as their real-life counterparts.

Whether you're looking for a pint with wizards, a secret spy base, or a cursed inn where werewolves lurk, we’ve rounded up 10 legendary fictional pubs in London that we all wish were real.

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1. The Leaky Cauldron, Harry Potter

Location: Charing Cross Road (in theory!)

A must-visit for any witch or wizard, this enchanted pub serves as a gateway to Diagon Alley. Hidden in plain sight, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a butterbeer before picking up a new wand at Ollivanders. While Muggles may never find it, real-life locations like Leadenhall Market and Borough Market have been used to bring it to life on screen.

2. The Winchester Tavern, Shaun of the Dead

Location: North London

A proper British pub with a warm atmosphere - except for the whole zombie apocalypse thing. Shaun and his mates planned to "go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for all of this to blow over." Sadly, things didn’t go quite as planned. The actual filming location was The Duke of Albany in New Cross, though the pub has since been demolished.

3. The Slaughtered Lamb, An American Werewolf in London

Location: East Proctor (fictional village near London)

With a name like The Slaughtered Lamb, you know this isn’t your average cosy pub. This eerie establishment appears in An American Werewolf in London and serves as a place where locals warn travelers about the lurking werewolf. Filming took place in Crickadarn, Wales, but Londoners can embrace the spooky vibes at similarly named spots like The Lamb & Flag.

4. The Garrison Tavern, Peaky Blinders

Location: Birmingham (but actually filmed in London)

While the real Peaky Blinders operated in Birmingham, much of the show was shot in London, with The Garrison Tavern at the heart of their empire. The interiors ooze 1920s gangster charm, complete with dark wood, smoky corners, and whispered deals over whiskey. Fans can experience the vibe at speakeasy-style bars around London.

5. The Diogenes Club, Sherlock Holmes

Location: Pall Mall, London

Less of a pub and more of a silent retreat for high society, The Diogenes Club is where Mycroft Holmes spends his time. The club has one strict rule: no talking. If you're looking for a real-life alternative, head to one of London’s old-school gentlemen’s clubs or exclusive members' bars (though they might allow some conversation).

6. The Dreadful Penny, Penny Dreadful

Location: Victorian London

A haunt for the dark and supernatural, The Dreadful Penny would be the ideal place for vampires and monsters to grab a pint. Set in Victorian London, this fictional drinking hole is dripping with Gothic atmosphere - think candlelit tables, shadowy figures, and secrets hidden in every corner. For a real-life experience, check out The Ten Bells or The Viaduct Tavern, which both have their own ghost stories.

7. The Bar Humbug, A Christmas Carol

Location: London, 19th century

A cheeky modern invention inspired by Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, The Bar Humbug appears in various film adaptations and festive specials. A pub dedicated to Scrooge himself? Now that’s a place where you might find some seriously cheap drinks -if only to match its owner's miserly ways.

8. The Crow & Crown, Doctor Who

Location: London

Popping up in multiple episodes of Doctor Who, The Crow & Crown is a fictional pub with a sci-fi twist. Whether it’s time travellers, aliens, or Cybermen dropping in for a quick drink, this pub always has an unexpected guest list.

9. The Luck and Judgment, Rivers of London series

Location: Somewhere in magical London

Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London novels introduce us to The Luck and Judgment, a magical London pub where the supernatural meets the ordinary. If you love the idea of secret spellcasting and hidden history, a trip to The Seven Noses of Soho walking tour will take you through some of London’s real mystical landmarks.

10. The Flying Horse, Neverwhere (Neil Gaiman)

Location: London Below

In Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, London has a secret underground world known as London Below, where forgotten people and places exist. The Flying Horse is one of its many establishments, serving up drinks to an unusual clientele. If you're after an otherworldly drinking experience, try bars like The Vaults in Waterloo, which captures the underground magic of the book.