Best Pubs in Shoreditch & Hackney: Where to Drink in East London
Shoreditch and Hackney have become the heartbeat of East London's drinking scene. What started as gritty warehouse bars and dive spots has evolved into a proper mix of craft beer joints, proper ale houses, and some sneaky independent boozers that still feel genuinely local.
The Classics Worth Your Time
The Tapped House (Shoreditch)
Pint Price: £6.50-£7.20 (rotating craft beers)
Still one of the best independent beer bars in East London. 24 rotating taps, proper knowledgeable staff, and they actually care about the pints they're pouring. Gets busy weekends but worth it.
The Owl & The Pussycat (Hackney)
Pint Price: £6.80-£7.50
Proper boozer. No pretension, decent jukebox, and locals who've been propping up the bar since 2006. Tuesday quiz nights actually get a crowd. Best for: genuine East London vibe without the Instagram filter.
Best Value Pints
The Cock Tavern (Hackney Central)
Pint Price: £5.20-£6.00 (best in area)
Proper Wetherspoons pricing but better beer selection. Happy hour until 7pm on weekdays — £4.99 for most pints. This is where the locals actually drink.
New Openings & Worth Watching
The Glassworks (Shoreditch — NEW)
Opened: February 2026
Pint Price: £7.00-£8.50
Craft beer bar with food. Sleek vibe, good beer list, but expect prices. Early word: decent happy hour (5-7pm, £6 pints). Still finding its feet but worth a try.
Quick Roundup
| Pub | Pint | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| The Tapped House | £6.50-£7.20 | Craft Beer |
| The Cock Tavern | £5.20-£6.00 | Local Dive |
| The Owl & The Pussycat | £6.80-£7.50 | Proper Pub |
Prices checked March 2026. Updates welcome — submit corrections at pints.lol/submit