Hackney is a thriving and exciting part of East London. With proud artists and musicians residing in this area, there is a fantastic cultural scene with plenty of bars and cocktail spaces for you to put your best drinking foot forward. We have put together our favourite Hackney bars for a great night out in London, and the list is telling enough for itself.
Last edited by Scarlett Welch
Last updated on 16th December 2024
The Cat and Mutton is a chic East London pub that's popular amongst the trendy professionals wanting to wind down at the weekend. What's more, they hold a great Sunday Roast sessions for weekend feasting with plenty of booze to wash everything down with.
Strikingly furnished with wicker masks, brass icons and giant maypoles, Hand of Glory boasts an interior unlike any other East London bar. Head here to explore the Hackney haunt's an ever-rotating spread of home cooking alongside a fine choice of cider, ales and infused gins to guzzle.
Primed with some of the most laid-back boozers in London, Hackney is perfect to wile away the evening, but where to dose up? Grab a pint of draught or tuck into a top plate of gastro gorging courtesy of the team behind The Star by Hackney Downs.
Three Compasses is a charming bar on Dalston Lane that takes a simple approach to high quality drinking and dining in Hackney. This local East London boozer focuses on serving up some of the best burgers in town, pouring the finest ales, and an undeniably charming feel to its interiors.
Neatly perched between Dalston and Hackney Downs, The Vic is a friendly and familiar boozer renowned for its live music schedule. While many an enthusiastic gig-goer will have enjoyed a night here, there's also a fine menu of gastropub plates to pair with your partying.
Curiouser and curiouser! The Last Tuesday Society is a wonderland of the frankly bizarre. Wander around this parallel universe, chatting to the cat skeletons, waving at the dolls and nodding to the fossils, with handcrafted cocktails that perfectly suit the opulent feel of this Hackney bar.
Four Quarters East has come to Hackney Wick and all East Londoners have changed forever. Spend your nights down this hot little spot gaming on the likes of Pacman, Space Riders and many more, all while you work their way through their brilliant list of craft beer.
The group behind Night Tales are the minds behind this fun-loving bar in Hackney. Based in London Fields, NTs serves delicious food during the day, before kicking things up after dark, courtesy of the venue's DJs, live music and enviable roof terrace that becomes a hub for summertime socialising.
This stylish bar in Hackney serves up delicious food and drink in cool, rustic surrounds. With an on-site gin distillery, it's the place to go for gin-based cocktails and delicious pizzas whether you're in East London to socialise, date or unwind a little after work with its 3am late licence.
This stunning barge has been breathtakingly transformed into a bar and kitchen offering up a menu in the heart of Hackney Wick. Only minutes from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, you'll find an indoor ceramic barbeque, rich flavours and unparalleled views.
One of the best bars in Hackney, this Mare Street pub offers a great spot for hanging out with mates and chowing down on some great food and drink. Chomp away on banging rotisserie and wings, tasty salads and delicious lunchtime wraps with some of the best Sunday roasts in East London.
Located just minutes from Victoria Park, this east London boozer is the go=to for good food, tasty drinks and banging music. Home to DJ nights, their signature Biking drink and some of the best eats from Slow Fire London, you're always in for a good time at The Kenton.
An old working men's club, The Moth Club has transformed itself into a quirky spot for East London's creative crowd. Fronting an incredible programme of live music, comedy and club nights, you may just be heading down for a couple of chilled pints, but you could easily end up dancing all night long.
Mare Street Market, is nestled within the beating heart of South Hackney. A one stop shop for all things pizza, drinks, deli, floristry and vinyl sifting, the warehouse space is made up of tall ceilings, a clean open plan feel and plenty of natural light to add an extra sense of cool to your visit.
The People's Park Tavern is a charming village pub and brewery beside Victoria Park in the heart of East London, with one of city's best beer gardens. Head here for great beer, hearty roasts and DJs every weekend from the undeniably cool hacienda garden with an indoor outdoor feel and quirky decor.
Arepa & Co can be found overlooking Regent's Canal in Haggerston, and is the perfect place to relax with some of East London's best Venezuelan cuisine whilst watching swans pass by. Topping it off, they have an enviable array of South American inspired cocktails to wash everything down with.
A haven for all things breakfast-related, The Breakfast Club Hackney Wick sits proudly on the banks of the River Lee. Within its uniquely kitsch interiors, the cafe serves up casual meals inspired by classic brekkie dishes alongside expertly-mixed classic cocktails.
The Princess of Wales is a traditional pub by the River Lea in Hackney. British classics like fish and chips, seasonal pies and juicy burgers all make up the menu of tasty pub grub, while the bar features a wide range of alcohol, all of which can be enjoyed indoors or outside by the riverfront.
This trendy East London restaurant bar is somewhat of a staple in Hackney's exciting nightlife scene. Housed within an old Victorian textile factory, Jones & Sons boasts expertly-designed interiors that come paired with a enticing menu of classic British food and drink.
Looking for a cool and quirk bar in Hackney? It doesn't get much better than The Karaoke Hole. The mischievous little sister of LGBTQ+ party paradise Dalston Superstore and pizza legends Voodoo Ray's, this place will have you belting out classics with some of London's best drag performers.
One of the best bars near Hackney, Draughts is a fun retro spot dishing up tasting drinks and board game fun at its Dalston den. Choose between one of its various on-tap beers or grab two classic cocktails for £14 before heading out to the extensive beer garden or to one of the kooky rooms.
If craft beers are your drink of choice, then Signature Brew is the place for you. The Haggerston taproom, and its Blackhorse Road bar, are pouring up a whole array of fruity IPAs and unusual lagers, alongside live music events and comedy nights.
Boasting a gorgeous garden, plenty of indoor seating and scrumptious Greek street food from kitchen residents Essi, The Adam & Eve in Homerton is one helluva bar. They even have an 'L' shaped pool table, so grab your mates and head over for a drink or two.
Looking for the best bars around Hackney Wick? Two More Years is bringing you riverside views and tasty drinks from its waterside haunt. Grab a table on the outdoor terrace and spend your evening sipping on organic wines and award-winning craft beers.
Located just a short walk from Dalston station, The Mix is one of the area's top places for a boogie. You can anticipate a fantastic lineup of musical artists whenever you pop through their doors, plus tasty drinks for when you need a bit of a post-dance refreshment.
Looking for somewhere to drink? The White Post is one of the best bars in Hackney as they offer up delicious lagers, ciders, and moreish wines. They also have a wide selection of gin if you're more into the spirits.
Situated in the heart of Hackney Wick, Beer Merchants Tap is a great watering hole to visit if you're a fan of a chilled atmosphere and a large selection of brews. Just a minute away from the overground station, it's a great little place for after-work drinks.
Situated in the heart of Hackney, Bar 161 is a great bar to head to if you're looking for after work drinks, birthday spots or cute first date places. Their cocktail menu ranges from blood orange margaritas to espresso martinis.
Touting lip-smacking bevvies and a private mezzanine for those special occasions, Lanterna is a Hackney bar worth visiting. Make your way to this stylish hotspot on Wyke Road for a crackin' selection of bespoke cocktails, alongside a wide range of pale ales and wine. Oh, yes.
Featuring fun quiz nights and a beaut beer garden, Hackney Church Brew Co is an excellent brewery. The venue flaunts a list of 6 classic brews, alongside scrumptious Indian food from Masterchef star, Aaron Thomas - think goat curry, tikka masala and onion bhajis.
What better place to wet the whistle than Brewhouse & Kitchen Hoxton? Boasting an impressive beer list, many of which are freshly brewed on site, as well as wine, gin and so much more, it really has something for everyone. Plus, if you're hungry, there's tasty pub grub to chomp on.
If you're after wine bars in Hackney, then this joint is sure to hit the spot. Not only will you be able to choose between unique bottles of the stuff, but there are small plates or main meals to accompany, alongside a cool setting of bare brick walls and colourful art.
La Bibliotheque in East London is a gorgeous, sleek fine dining restaurant and bar with an exquisite menu. Its interiors ooze modern luxury and its creative cocktail menu 'The Journey' is crafted by Melissa Frangi. Tipples take inspiration from sake, Japanese gin and other traditional spirits.
Looking for a spirit-ual experience in Hackney? With a massive selection of premium whisky, gin, and rum (including the largest selection of Japanese whisky in Europe), at Map Maison, you're sure to find something that'll get your spirits soaring. PS: their quirky Tapas Style Afternoon Tea and boozy cocktail-making classes are a real treat.
Living up to its trendy location, The Five Points Courtyard and Taproom is a super cool spot that's a great addition to Hackney's laid-back bar scene. Sip on craft beers while soaking up the surroundings in the courtyard and munching on BBQ plates such as smoked meat-filled buns, pork belly ribs and loaded fries on the side. You can also get involved in tasting sessions and tours of the on-site brewery.
Rule Zero is the ultimate hangout in Hackney Wick, serving up mind-bending drinks and delicious food all day long. They've got pool, card games, regular tournaments, and awesome events like open mic nights and live music in Sub Zero downstairs.
For a unique drinking experience, head on over to The Natural Philosopher, a quirky bar that's adorned with foliage and vintage paintings. It stands out from the rest with its local foraging approach to ingredients and whips up signature sips you won't find anywhere else. On the menu? The Hackney Hellbound, made with lacto-fermented plum soda, and the Silk Route, featuring white rum, yuzu, mint and lime.
Colour Factory can be found only a short walk from Hackney Wick, boasting a fabulous electronic music lineup as part of its club nights, as well as a south-facing, pretty outdoor terrace perfect for outdoor sips. Gather your mates and secure a bench, then order in your favourites from Aperol spritzes to pints of craft beer while overlooking the hip area.
For those who appreciate the finer things in life, Dovetail Bar in Clapton serves cocktails with precision and flair. Whether you're in the mood for something sophisticated or playful, their drinks are always crafted with an eye for detail.
The relaxed, welcoming vibe makes it a favourite spot for both regulars and newcomers alike. Check out its spritz deal where you can bag one for £8 before 7pm every day of the week, or try out a delicious pornstar martini for just £11.
