# Hidden Gem Pubs in East London (That Aren't Packed With Tourists)
Let's be honest—East London's pub scene has changed a lot over the last decade. Areas that used to be properly local are now swarming with guided walking tours and people taking photos of their £14 cocktails. But here's the thing: if you know where to look, there are still plenty of brilliant, under-the-radar pubs serving excellent pints without the queues, the crowds, or the attitude.
These are the spots where actual Londoners actually drink. No gimmicks, no viral TikTok moments—just good pubs doing what good pubs do best.
The Cock Tavern (Hackney)
Address: 315 Mare Street, E8 1EJ Nearest Station: Hackney Central
Tucked away on Mare Street, The Cock Tavern is a proper East End boozer that's managed to resist the area's rapid gentrification without becoming a museum piece. The interior is gloriously unpretentious—wooden floors, mismatched furniture, and walls covered in decades of memorabilia that nobody's curated for Instagram.
What makes this place special is the live jazz. They've been hosting sessions for years, and the quality is genuinely impressive. It's the kind of pub where you might stumble in for a quick pint and end up staying until closing, completely absorbed in the music. The beer selection is solid rather than flashy—standard lagers, a couple of cask ales, nothing that requires a 10-minute explanation.
Why locals love it: It's authentic without trying to be. No craft beer sermon, no small plates, just a proper pub with great music and a genuinely mixed crowd.
Pint prices: £5.50-£6.20
The Chesham Arms (Homerton)
Address: 5 Mehetabel Road, E9 6DU Nearest Station: Homerton
This one's properly off the beaten track, sitting on a quiet residential street that most people will never wander down. And that's exactly why it's brilliant. The Chesham Arms is the definition of a neighbourhood local—it's the kind of place where the bar staff know most customers by name, and newcomers are welcomed with genuine curiosity rather than suspicion.
The pub has a lovely, lived-in feel with plenty of cosy corners and a small but charming beer garden out back. The food is simple but done well—think cheese toasties, scotch eggs, and the occasional pie. They've got a rotating selection of cask ales that leans towards traditional British breweries, plus all the usual suspects on tap.
Why locals love it: It feels like drinking in someone's living room (in the best possible way). There's no pretension, no performance—just a really pleasant place to spend an evening.
Pint prices: £5.40-£6.00
The Crooked Billet (Clapton)
Address: 84 Upper Clapton Road, E5 9JP Nearest Station: Clapton
Clapton's changed enormously in recent years, but The Crooked Billet has managed to evolve with the area while keeping its soul intact. This Grade II listed pub dates back to the 18th century, and you can feel the history in every creaky floorboard and wonky ceiling beam.
Despite its historic credentials, it doesn't feel stuffy or preserved in amber. The beer garden is a particular highlight—one of the best in East London, with plenty of seating, some decent planting, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to lose an afternoon. The food menu has stepped up recently with some excellent seasonal dishes, but you can still just have crisps and a pint if that's what you're after.
Why locals love it: The garden is genuinely lovely, the historic interior hasn't been ruined by over-renovation, and it's one of the few places in the area where you can still get a seat on a sunny Saturday.
Pint prices: £5.80-£6.80
The Rose & Crown (Walthamstow)
Address: 55 Hoe Street, E17 4SA Nearest Station: Walthamstow Central
Walthamstow has a fantastic pub scene that somehow hasn't been completely overrun yet, and The Rose & Crown is one of its best-kept secrets. It's a proper Victorian corner pub with a beautiful tiled exterior and an interior that's been sensitively updated without losing its character.
The thing that really sets this place apart is the beer selection. They take their cask ale seriously here, with regularly rotating guest beers from smaller British breweries that you won't find in every other pub. The staff are knowledgeable without being preachy, happy to let you try before you buy. There's also a surprisingly good selection of pies if you're feeling peckish.
Why locals love it: It's got the atmosphere of a traditional boozer but with a beer selection that would put many craft-focused places to shame.
Pint prices: £5.20-£6.50
The Dove (Broadway Market)
Address: 24-28 Broadway Market, E8 4QJ Nearest Station: London Fields
Okay, yes—Broadway Market itself is hardly a secret. But while everyone queues for the street food and crowds into the more visible pubs, The Dove sits just slightly back from the main action, quietly being excellent. It's been here since the 18th century, and it's got that rare quality of feeling historic without being stuffy.
The interior is classic pub perfection—wooden floors, comfortable seating, and plenty of interesting nooks and crannies. The beer selection covers all bases, from reliable cask ales to craft options, and the food is reliably good without being fussy. It's also dog-friendly, which always scores points with the locals.
Why locals love it: It's close enough to the action to be convenient, but tucked away enough that you can actually get a seat and have a conversation without shouting.
Pint prices: £5.80-£6.80
The Wenlock Arms (Hoxton)
Address: 26 Wenlock Road, N1 7TA Nearest Station: Old Street
Sitting in the awkward zone between Shoreditch's tourist chaos and Islington's polished respectability, The Wenlock Arms has somehow remained under most people's radar despite being genuinely excellent. It's a proper free house with a serious commitment to interesting beer—you'll regularly find things here that aren't available anywhere else in the area.
The pub itself is charmingly ramshackle, with a small front bar and a larger back room that feels like a community hall. There's a beer garden of sorts (more of a yard, really) and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. They host occasional live music and events, but it's never trying too hard to be "a destination."
Why locals love it: The beer selection is genuinely interesting without being overwhelming, the prices are fair, and it somehow avoids both the tourist hordes and the pretentiousness that plagues some of Shoreditch's more self-conscious venues.
Pint prices: £5.50-£6.80
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So there you have it—six East London pubs that are still serving locals rather than tourists. They're not secrets in their neighbourhoods, but they haven't been ruined by hype either. Worth noting that "hidden" is relative in London, and these places do get busy—just with the right kind of busy.
Know a local gem we should check out? We're always hunting for under-the-radar spots. Drop us the details and we'll add it to our list!
Prices are estimates based on recent visits. Help keep pints.lol accurate by submitting what you paid!