In London, it’s a common sight for every single outdoor drinking space to fill up the second (and not a moment later) that the sun rears its head. There’s no telling when the good weather will decide to turn grey in this city, and no one (NO ONE) is prepared to take a chance and skip an opportunity.
With that in mind, it means that any new space that serves up food and booze in the great outdoors is welcome, and we now have a sizzling new option from the good people at Hackney Bridge, the giant canalside drinking and dining hub that has just launched in time for the summer.
Sitting beside the locks at Hackney Wick, the venue has now opened to the public and is dangling a rather large—the size of three football pitches (!!), in fact—beer garden in front of our very eyes, right around the time we’ve been enjoying a heatwave. We’d be suckers not to bite.
What can we expect at Hackney Bridge?
The sheer volume of the place would be nothing without a pretty space, and the team, who were also behind London Bridge favourite Vinegar Yard, have ensured that the setting delivers on the aesthetic front. You can potter through and find a space at a long table in a landscaped garden backing onto the canal before enjoying grub from an independent trader.
Over the summer, a full programme has been worked out to ensure each trip to the bridge will be a little different. An afternoon of indulgence awaits at one of the Hackney Bridge BBQ pop-ups, but on another visit you could enjoy an evening of live music and DJ sets. Anyone sick of being glued to The Ashes in their living room can also swap it for the more serene setting on offer, as they can for the Wimbledon tennis daytime screenings in a few weeks time.
Food comes from the likes of Filigriz, the Filipino barbecue connoisseurs, as well as the sumptuous Bovine Burgers and circular heaven (better known as pizza) from Made In Puglia. Tamila will also sort out your hankerings for a portion of Indian Street food, which you can enjoy before picking up a brew from the on-site microbrewery, Mammoth Beer.
Hackney Bridge Vintage and Makers Market
On Sundays, Hackney Bridge is also home to a place for you to grab a fine deal. The Vintage and Makers Market is from the team behind Broadway Market. Independent brands are on hand to offer fine handcrafted goods, and you’ll also be able to browse the fresh produce on offer from locally sourced suppliers.
Elsewhere, you’ll also be able to wander through the community garden and allotment, which provides food to the traders, and even shoot some hoops on their basketball court.
Read more about Hackney Bridge at their website.