The humble British pub: not simply a place to eat, drink, and be merry, but an essential part of our daily existence in the city. Luckily, there are fantastic pubs in Hackney with brilliant beer gardens, canalside vibes, fab Sunday roasts — not to mention delicious beer.
Hackney is one of London’s only boroughs not to see a huge fall in the numbers of its beloved local pubs in the last 10 or so years — let’s keep it that way shall we? So, whether you’re looking for a great first date spot or are just planning a night out with mates, here’s our rundown of 22 of the best Hackney pubs for you to enjoy:
Table Of Contents
Pubs in Hackney Central
1. The Old Ship Inn
Walk through the colourful alleyway just past the Hackney Empire theatre on Mare Street and you’ll come out in The Old Ship Inn. You’ll come here for the booze and come back for their jerk chicken.
📍2 Sylvester Path, E8 1EN.
2. The Cock Tavern
If it’s craft beer and ales you’re after, then it doesn’t get much better than The Cock Tavern. Their cider selection is also pretty stellar, making this cosy offering in the heart of Hackney perfect for getting the good times rolling before a night out.
📍315 Mare St, London E8 1EJ.
3. The Crown
This pint-sized pub is an absolute must the next time you’re in the Hackney area. It has old-school charm with all the modern workings of a fantastic sports pub, making it a great option for game day.
📍418 Mare St, London E8 1HP.
Pubs in Hackney Downs
4. The Star by Hackney Downs
The Star by Hackney Downs is the ultimate East London boozer, with brilliant beers and awesome food—as well as gluten-free and vegan choices that don’t feel like the short straw.
📍35 Queensdown Road, E5 8JQ.
Pubs in London Fields
5. Pub On The Park
Many consider London Fields to be the beating heart of Hackney—and you don’t get more central than The Pub On The Park. Full of craft ales and atmosphere, The Pub on the Park also has a ‘secret room’ for events downstairs – a bit like Narnia but through the women’s toilets instead of a wardrobe. This place attracts the hordes in the sunshine with its large terrace, so get down early to stake out your spot.
📍19 Martello Street, E8 3PE.
6. Cat And Mutton
Venture just to the south of London Fields, and you’ll reach the heady delights of The Cat and Mutton—a Broadway Market stalwart and purveyor of cosy old-world charm and good times in the form of DJs and live music.
📍76 Broadway Market, E8 4QJ.
7. The Dove
Another historic Hackney pub and barnstorming good time, venture to the middle of Broadway Market to The Dove. The excellent Thai menu has gluten-free and vegan options — the ‘tofish’ and chips is a godsend and they’re proponents of Meat-Free Mondays. They have a film club, a raucous pub quiz and a selection of the finest Belgian wheat beers.
📍24-28 Broadway Market, E8 4QJ.
8. The Virgin Queen
A saunter over the Cat and Mutton bridge (named after the pub would you believe it) will take you towards The Virgin Queen. The interior is even more spectacularly historic than its mock-Tudor exterior—note the gorgeous carved fireplace, and panelled bar in the picture above. Expect proper pub grub and craft on draught.
📍94 Goldsmiths Row, E2 8QY.
Pubs in Homerton
9. The Spread Eagle
Easily accessible from the Overground, Homerton has a great selection of unique drinking spots. The Spread Eagle is London’s first completely, 100%, totally and utterly vegan pub. Yes, the food, drinks and even the decor are all plant-based and ethically sourced. Their Club Mexicana menu is colourful and delicious. As well as avocados, they’re also smashing their music offering with their own Soundcloud mixes available online.
📍224 Homerton High Street, E9 6AS.
10. The Adam & Eve
Another pub for music lovers, The Adam & Eve is just over the road from The Spread Eagle and has a fantastic menu with Rockadollar providing another fiendishly good Sunday roast. They hold pool tournaments every Tuesday and have a huge and covered garden area where you can enjoy watching sport. On the pulse musically, expect their DJs to play the everything from funk, post-punk, new noise, and obscurities to soundtrack your session. Don’t miss the L-shaped pool table, either!
📍55 Homerton High Street, E9 6AS.
11. The Gun
The Gun is the place to be scene and not herd (sorry), also boasts an impressive menu with The Gravy Social in the kitchen. Be quick though, their roasts sell out faster than most can even read a menu! It’s small and cosy, does a fantastic Bloody Mary, and is a popular haunt for that millennial crossover of football and experimental music fans.
📍235 Well Street, Homerton, E9 6RG.
Pubs in Clapton
12. The Clapton Hart
With beautifully-curated decor and high-ceilinged rooms with an air of photogenic charm, The Clapton Hart is a pub you can easily spend hours in. Dating back to the 18th Century, their main meals are reasonably priced for the area with their most expensive at £18 for beef sirloin. Complete with a quiz on Tuesdays and a large beer garden!
📍231 Lower Clapton Road, E5 8EG.
13. The Elderfield
For a more local pint, look no further than The Elderfield with its cosy, wood-panelled and plant-lined interior, friendly vibe and lively quiz. Nestled conveniently between Chatsworth Road and Lower Clapton Road this pub is ideal for a post-market pint.
📍57 Elderfield Road, E5 0LF.
14. The Crooked Billet
If your quest to discover Lower Clapton Road’s finest watering holes doesn’t end at the Lea Bridge Roundabout, you’re in for a treat with The Crooked Billet. With one of the largest beer gardens in the area, the Billet has deck chairs, bowls, ping pong and a baseball-style Camden Hells seating terrace, this is the ideal place to catch up on sport and spend a great afternoon with pals.
📍84 Upper Clapton Road, E5 9JP.
15. The Chesham Arms
Nestled in quaint residential streets between the National Trust’s Sutton House and Morning Lane, The Chesham Arms is a symbol of victory for local pub fans. It was saved as an Asset of Community Value by a grassroots effort to protect it from the threat of—you guessed it—‘luxury apartments.’ You can get Yard Sale pizza delivered right to your table inside or outside. And evening pub-goers will be pleased that the garden at the rear is a particularly good sun trap. A great Sunday location you can take your dog to.
📍15 Mehetabel Road, E9 6DU.
16. The Royal Sovereign
For a ‘proper pub’ that’s all about good times and the good craic, The Royal Sovereign is a fine choice. Affectionately dubbed The Sov, the vibe is irreverent, unashamedly local and unpretentious. If you don’t have a good time here, then there’s not much hope for you to be honest.
📍64 Northwold Road, E5 8RL.
17. The Anchor and Hope
Another for the ‘proper pub’ category, The Anchor and Hope is a no-frills east London boozer next to the canal, overlooking Walthamstow Marshes. Bring cash —you have been warned. This is definitely not a craft pub, but packs a great atmosphere to watch the sunset over the Lea River and marshes from.
📍15 High Hill Ferry, E5 9HG.
18. The Princess of Wales
Not to be neglected is the also canalside Princess of Wales. This family-friendly pub offers film screenings, hearty meals, and an outdoor area overlooking the canal — a perfect spot to refuel after a leisurely walk in the nearby marshes.
📍146 Lea Bridge Road, E5 9RB.
Pubs in Dalston
19. The Prince Arthur
For a Sunday roast you’ll be hankering after for weeks to come, you can’t do much better than The Prince Arthur. Brought to us by the team behind The Chesham Arms, this pub is unpretentious, cosy and friendly for both kids and for pups too. You’ll find a tidy selection of craft ales, with the bar supplied by Forest Road Brewing Co. While away a quiet afternoon here with a board game and good company – or maybe even a spot of work! Stranger things have happened…
📍95 Forest Road, E8 3BH.
20. The Pembury Tavern
The Pembury Tavern is a cheery boozer in the heart of Hackney. Boasting 22 beer taps, mouth-watering New York Neapolitan pizza and a mean Sunday roast, this a great hangout that ticks many boxes it has to be said.
📍90 Amhurst Road, E8 1JH.
Pubs near Victoria Park
21. The Approach Tavern
South of Victoria Park, The Approach Tavern is the ideal transition from park to pub, with the promise of a lovingly-created meal at the end, complete with crafty and traditional beers. For a rain-safe outdoor spot, The Approach has a covered beer garden at the front with benches and a screen perfect for watching live sport. It’s dog-friendly too!
📍47 Approach Road, E2 9LY.
22. The Nelson’s
One of Hackney’s LGBTQ+ pubs, The Nelson’s is a must-visit independent hotspot that’s located in the middle of Victoria Park and Hoxton. It boasts a plethora of fun events and specials throughout the week including drag karaoke, Sunday roasts, and beyond. Be sure to follow them on Instagram to stay up to date!
📍47 Approach Road, E2 9LY.
23. The People’s Park Tavern
Another one of east London’s biggest and best beer gardens, The People’s Park Tavern has a lot to offer. In addition to its truly massive and colourful garden area complete with a pop-up cocktail area, they sometimes run immersive experiences and even have their own on-site brewery. If that wasn’t enough, they do bottomless brunch, a lovely woodland-themed afternoon tea, live Sunday sessions, a pub quiz and a free weekly open mic night. They’re also currently showing the Six Nations – phew!
📍360 Victoria Park Road, E9 7BT.
24. The Lauriston
The Lauriston is another Victoria Park local. Laid back and lovely, The Lauriston plays host to regular karaoke night debauchery, quizzes and top-notch pizza (gluten-free bases are available at a £2 surcharge).
📍162 Victoria Park Road, E9 7JN.
Pubs in Hackney Wick
25. Lord Napier Star
Now our final Hackney pub you really can’t miss. 26 years ago, the legendary Lord Napier pub served its final (legal) drink inside its infamous graffiti-covered building. In the latter half of 2021, the unmistakable building reopened under the moniker the Lord Napier Star. And thank god it has. With an excellent rooftop offering panoramic vistas over Hackney Wick, regular DJs, fine food and cocktails, it’s a frankly cracking spot to be.
📍25 White Post Lane, London, E9 5ER.
So there you have it – 22 of the best Hackney pubs. We’ve now given you the lowdown, so why not plan one big old pub crawl hey?! Just drink responsibly and all that…