I've lived in London for more than 5 years — here are the 50 places where you should actually drink

• I'm a Canadian who has lived in London for nearly six years, and I've spent most of that time eating and drinking.
• "Best bar" lists and awards will often lead you to places that are packed with tourists or simply aren't worth the money.
• To find something memorable, you need personal recommendations.
• From a speakeasy hidden in an apartment building to a dingy candle-lit locals pub, here are the 50 places where you should actually drink.
• Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories.

London is known for its drinking culture.

Whether you've been here so long you think nothing of it or you're new to the city and it continues to shock you, there's no denying that you'll find people spilling out of pubs swilling pints at almost any time of day, every day of the week.

However, while there are certainly some fantastic places to drink in the city, there are also some pretty terrible ones.

I'm a Canadian who has lived in London for nearly six years, and when not working or sleeping, I've spent most of that time eating and drinking (usually with a born-and-bred Londoner by my side).

After struggling last year to pick the 50 places in the capital where you should actually eat, I realized the London bar and pub scene can be just as complicated.

Read more:I've lived in London for 5 years — here are the 50 places where you should actually eat

London bars and pubs often feature among the best in the world, and don't get me wrong, plenty of these are great — but sometimes these places can feel overrated or simply leave you feeling broke.

The places you'll actually remember are the cosy neighbourhood pubs with open fires, the hidden wine bars where you discover a new grape, and the cocktail bars with drinks so good you'll remember the chatty bartender for a lifetime.

In no particular order, here are the 50 places you should actually drink at, and what to order when you get there.

Little Bat, Highbury

One of my favourite cocktail bars in the city is this Islington gem, tucked slightly off the busy Upper Street and named after the Lewis Carroll poem "Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat." The bartenders at Little Bat, which is the sister to the Shoreditch hotspot Callooh Callay, are consistently friendly, but always talented. It's never too packed, but retains a good vibe — whether it's for a buzzy brunch on a weekend day, or candlelit tipples in the evening. The soundtrack is also a highlight.

Must order: Try something from their "Alice in Wonderland"-inspired cocktail menu (from £9.50) or order a classic — their Pisco Sour is to die for.

Find out more here.

Bar Termini, Soho or Marylebone

Probably my favourite bar of them all, Bar Termini has everything a good bar needs. It's unpretentious, yet the cocktails are to die for. The Soho location has always been my go-to thanks to its tiny, intimate vibe, and despite being named the 6th best bar in the world last year, it's even possible to get a walk-in table from time to time — though I recommend booking to be safe.

Must order: My go-to is the "Death in Venice" (£11.50), simply made with Campari, grapefruit bitters, and Prosecco.

Find out more here.

The Blue Posts, Chinatown

I discovered The Blue Posts while walking through Chinatown on a sunny Sunday afternoon after watching the London marathon, and it's now one of my favourite pubs in the city. We could hear some lively jazz music coming from somewhere and followed our ears — and if you visit on a Sunday, a live band and a happy crowd are exactly what you'll find, too. If you're hoping for something more chilled, there's also The Mulwray upstairs, serving wine and cocktails.

Must order: A cider, to drink outside on the cobblestoned alleyway while you take in the sound of the live music.

Find out more here.