Hackney is one of the best places in London for several reasons, including the strategic locations, the vibrant, modern vibe, the diversity, and above all – the bars in Hackney.
If you’re looking for a great night out in Hackney, London, then you’re in luck. There are some amazing bars in this part of the city, from authentic British pubs to cocktail bars to gourmet venues that will concoct unique dishes you have never thought about before.
Best Bars in Hackney
The key to planning a great night out in Hackney is to check out the best bars in the area. And we’ve prepared a list of the best cocktails bars and pubs in Hackney to please everyone in this trendy part of town. So put on your party shoes and get ready to explore; the night is short in Hackney!
Bar 161
- Type: Cocktail Bar
- Address: 161 Mare St, London E8 3RH
- Known For: The Reverend’s Refuge Cocktail
Bar 161 in Hackney is a great venue to relax with a good drink and some good music. The atmosphere is chill, and the cocktails are strong, making it the perfect spot to unwind after a long day.
On top of that, the cocktail bar has beautiful, modern, and sleek decorations, which is great for sharing your favourite moments around a drink on social media.
Their cocktails are unique and combine fresh ingredients with premium alcohol. For instance, The Reverend’s Refuge is made with Plantation Pineapple Rum, Lime Juice with Lavender Syrup, and Briottet Crème de Verte. How delicious does that sound?
If pineapple isn’t your thing, try The Violetflower, a sublime mix of Citron Vodka, Violet Liqueur, Prosecco, and Elderflower Liqueur.
And if you want to spice up your night, Bar 161 offers Karaoke nights for up to 20 people, and you’ll be able to sing old classics and new tunes for only £10 per person (a minimum of 5 people is required). It’s worth noting that you are expected to stay at least 1 hour and a maximum of 3 hours.
Overall, we’re confident you will have a great time at Cocktail Bar 161 and would recommend it to anyone looking to explore Hackney nightlife.
Night Tales
- Type: Bar and Nightclub
- Address: 14 Bohemia Pl, London E8 1DU
- Known For: The Dancefloor and the Jan Sour Cocktail
Second on our list is Night Tales, the perfect bar to let your hair down and have a good time. This bar is known for its dancefloor, where you can really let loose and enjoy yourself.
Of course, you can also sip on delicious cocktails, like the Jan Sour, which is made with Grapefruit Vodka, Yellow Chartreuse, Mango, and Lemon. Alternatively, the Henny Craft Keg will blow you away – made with Hennessy VS Cognac, Lemon, Elderflower, and Peach Bitters; definitely worth the £50 price tag!
What we particularly like about Night Tales is the terrace outside, which is great for chatting with friends while listening to the music coming from inside. What are you waiting for? Night Tales is THE place to be in Hackney.
Old Ship Hackney
- Type: Pub and Hotel
- Address: 2 Sylvester Path, London E8 1EN
- Known For: Whole Rotisserie Chicken and the Local Draught Beers
Willing to find a spot to enjoy the night and sleep there after? The Old Ship pub is what you need to enjoy a rich, succulent burger or a Sunday Roast, as well as local beers that you won’t find in regular bars. Located steps away from Hackney Central station and the cool pubs in Dalston, it goes without saying that you will have one of the best nights ever in East London.
Come early and enjoy their whole rotisserie chicken, a must-try for foodies, or one of their sides – the Halloumi Fries and the Cauliflower wings are also worth trying.
Regarding the drinks, they offer endless options from Gin and Tonic to red and white wine to ciders. But what makes the bar unique is the local draught beer – don’t skip the Brixton Atlantic APA and the Beaverton Neck Oil. Thank us later!
And in case you don’t feel like going home, The Old Ship has rooms to spend the night in, so you can stay in and enjoy breakfast the morning after.
Behind This Wall
- Type: Cocktail Bar
- Address: 411 Mare St, London E8 1HY
- Known For: Fo’ Swizzle and Maarg Cocktails
Behind This Wall is the new speakeasy on Mare Street, and it’s already making a splash with its Fo’ Swizzle and Maarg cocktails. This unpretentious basement bar is known for its relaxed atmosphere, where you can enjoy a drink or two without having to worry about the stresses of daily life.
You will love the ambience here, with a non-chaotic, relaxed, and laid-back atmosphere that will make you feel at home soon as you get in. The vintage sound system gives the place a warm, nostalgic feel, and the bartenders are always on hand to give you expert advice on which cocktail is right for you.
Behind This Wall is so unpretentious and chill that they don’t have a menu, only the two signature drinks Fo’ Swizzle and Maarg, that they sell on their website. That being said, they’ll offer any drink you can think about, from Amaretto Sour to Pornstar to their Basil Smash, made with basil, lemon, and Gin.
There’s really a no better way to understand the principle of Behind This Wall than coming and experiencing it by yourself, so head over there as soon as possible.
MOTH Club
- Type: Live Music Bar
- Address: Old Trades Hall, Valette St, London E9 6NU
- Known For: The Live Music Events and Comedy Nights
We couldn’t make a list of the best bars in Hackney without mentioning MOTH Club, one of the coolest places around, with live music and outstanding drinks.
What makes MOTH Club a unique venue in London is its calendar. With different events nearly every day for a small entrance fee, you’re guaranteed to have a great night out.
For example, you can listen to local DJs playing the most popular and latest tunes, the Comedy Nights that will make you laugh out loud, or even the “For the Love of Pop” events with classics of Pop music.
On top of that, before the party starts, they have a food menu available so you won’t feel hungry. What else do you need from a bar in Hackney? Everything you’re looking for is here, at the MOTH Club.
Netil360
- Type: Rooftop Bar
- Address: 1 Westgate St, London E8 3RL
- Known For: King Prawn Tacos with Gochujang Sauce and Guacamole
Located right next to the London Fields, Netil360 is a lovely rooftop bar that offers excellent drinks and wine, street food, as well as a stunning view over East London.
Netil360 is a lovely spot for a drink and a bite to eat, especially when the weather is nice and you can enjoy the rooftop view. The Jug of Pimm’s is definitely a summer must-have, but the other cocktails are also a must-try, such as the Aperol Spritz and Vedhilan white wine from France.
However, Netil360 offers much more than great drinks – the food is also incredible. The King Prawn Tacos with Gochujang Sauce and Guacamole and the Burrito with Chicken Tinga or Smoked Aubergine are worth coming for.
To conclude, whether you’re after a casual pint or two or something a little fancier mixed with worthy food, Netil360 has you covered.
The Star By Hackney Downs
- Type: Gourmet Pub
- Address: 35 Queenstown Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 8NN
- Known For: The Peking Burger and the Espresso Martini Cocktail
The Star by Hackney Downs is another trendy gourmet pub located in Hackney. The pub is known for its food inspired by all the corners of the world, for instance, the Peking Burger and the Buttered Laksa Wings.
That’s not all; The drinks here magnificent and perfectly compliment the area, especially during the summertime on the lovely terrace. Make sure to order the Espresso Martini Cocktail or their Camden Hells draught beer.
The pub also has a streetside terrace for people watching on sunny days and a chic, modern interior that’s awesome for night outs. After a long week at the office, you’ll be pleased to know that regular weekend DJ sessions take place.
Very regularly, the pub hosts quiz nights where you can win £50 cash, £25 bar tab, or £15 bar tab if you’re first, second, or third. And during the game, you’ll be able to win a free drink if you answer the fastest to a selected question. How funny!
Martello Hall
- Type: Gourmet Bar
- Address: Martello Hall, 137 Mare St, London E8 3RH
- Known For: The Wood-fired Pizzas and the Jack’s Bramble Cocktail
Last but not least is Martello Hall, a gourmet bar that brings outstanding pizzas with fresh ingredients, superb drinks, and much more.
Let’s start with the essentials, food and drinks. As we’ve just mentioned, Martello Hall is known for their pizzas and pasta – when visiting, remember the Top Truffle Tagliatelle with Fonduta Cheese and Crispy Mushrooms. For pizzas, the Samson is a must-try, made of Tuscan Salami, Martello Hot Honey, Red Chilli, Red Onions, and Mozzarella.
For drinks, treat yourself with the Hibiscus Margarita Cocktail or the Martello Hall Rum Punch with Over-proof Rum, Rosemary, and Mint.
Now, let’s talk about the exciting stuff: Martello Hall offers Bottomless Brunches. For only £30 extra per person on the weekend, you’ll get to enjoy their cocktails and try them all if you want. Choose between the Pink Fizz, Martello Hall Rum Punch, and you can even choose your favourite ingredients to create your dream cocktail.
And in case Martello Hall kept its promises, and you successfully fell in love with their beverages, you can join one of their masterclasses. You can join the Cocktail Masterclass with 5 drinks included, the Gin Blending Masterclass with 5 drinks featuring Gin, and even a Gin Tasting Session.
Finally, if you’re planning a team outing, a birthday party, or anything else with many people, you can book their roof terrace, the main bar, or even the whole venue if you want to. They can accommodate a total of 310 people. That’s certainly enough to throw whatever party you’re thinking about.
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Conclusion
Finally, we got to the end of our list of the best bars in Hackney, featuring Martello Hall and their incredible pizzas, Netil360, famous for their rooftop, and Bar 161, with their exotic cocktails.
We’re certain that you will find your happy spot in at least one of them, so go ahead and made a reservation today; they’re so popular that they easily get sold out.
Thank you for following until the end, and let us know if you’ve discovered any hidden gem in Hackney, we’re always happy to share more!