The best bars in Hackney

London has been overrun with ‘listening bars’ in the last couple of years, but few, if any, take such a fastidious approach to their drinks list as this Hackney Road specimen. Partly inspired by Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, the decor is similarly atmospheric; all dark wood and mid-century furnishings. The cocktail list is divided into two main sections. ‘Equal Parts’ highlights short, strong drinks made with equal measures of each ingredient, while ‘Signatures’ features more unique recipes incorporating a variety of trendy ingredients: think mezcal, calvados and plenty of savoury components.

Yes, it’s inspired by the Bauhaus design school of interwar Germany, and yes, it has three colourful shapes instead of a name over the door. But for all its braininess, this neighbourhood bar in Haggerston (previously acclaimed among the World’s 50 Best) never forgets that you’re here to have fun. The menu focuses on a short run of pre-bottled, affordable house cocktails, many served with molecular garnishes like a tiny cube of Campari jelly. Friendly staff clad in colourful boiler suits are happy to explain the science. 

A lowkey, great vibes dive-ish bar from the same people behind sandwich slingers Dom’s Subs. Hackney by way of Chicago, come here for cheap martinis, even cheaper hot dogs and a kind of perky b-movie energy, that's a little bit Quentin Tarantino and a bit like you’ve just discovered that Dolly Parton has a secret bunker where she stores her supplies for the end of the world. Aka you new fave east London mate date spot.  

Blondies is as close are you're going to get to a New York-style dive bar in London. This Hackney favourite has been going since 2016, and is a shrine to all things heavy metal – complete with rather demonic lavs. Beers, cocktails and shots are on offer, and there's regular live music, with hardcore, punk and thrash bands pitching up by the steamy front window to soundtrack the world's smallest, but most intense, moshpits. All hail Blondies. 

This pizzeria and brewery is a popular spot in Hackney Wick that’s best suited to lazy, lingering weekend sessions. The beer, visibly brewed on site, is varied and tasty, with a good selection of international craft ales on hand to boot. Take your pint outside to the banks of the Lea where picnic benches overflow with heavily bearded locals.

Three Sheets is the bartender’s hangout – some of the industry’s best shakers pick this Dalston drinking destination on any given night of the week to sip on flawless cocktails. The bar cleverly pre-batches its tipples, which are inventive numbers using all sorts of sciency techniques to make them. But they're presented without the slightest bit of showiness. Exceptional, down-to-earth drinking.

Helmed by trans masc musician and DJ Alex Loveless and his Spanish artist partner, Clara Solis, the bar takes its name from the Spanish term for ‘female truck driver’, or butch lesbian, and is inspired by Iberian bar culture, specifically the places that the couple have patronised while visiting Clara’s family near Madrid. Fom photography by local queer artists lining the walls, to the numbered carabiners presented to customers when opening up a bar tab, there are a few wry nods to queer femme culture. Otherwise, the vibe is definitely more in keeping with your typical east London small plates spot than your average gay bar; think white-washed walls, a terracotta color scheme in the candle-lit bathroom, stained-glass lampshades giving everything a warm, orange glow, and tasteful, hand-painted tiles decorating a bar stocked with neatly-arranged bottles of Campari and biodynamic wines. 

A self-described 'occult rock bar', if you like your music loud and your bands bearded, Helgi's is the one. Swing by after the witching hour, as this place is open very, very late, every night of the week. While you're pondering your next sacrifice, drink a michelada, the mighty Mexican combo of beer, lime and clamato juice. 

This Hackney Downs day-to-night bar-slash-cafe bills itself as east London’s ‘FLINTA*-gay living room’. Offering hot drinks, speedy wifi and ample plugs, it’s a chill spot for coworking during the day, while its cosy corners, low lighting and cool but low-key vibe make it a great date spot – just as long as you’re cool with running into half the lesbians in east London at the same time. On the menu is a selection of classic cocktails at pretty reasonable prices (the dirty martini is especially good) plus European low-intervention wines, draught beers from east London’s Queer Brewing, and a really decent variety of alcohol-free options including Lucky Saint on tap. 

A venture from Brilliant Corners – Hackney’s Japanese-inspired hi-fi restaurant and listening bar – Mu is named after an early record by jazz trumpeter Don Cherry, and focusses on live music and fireside cooking from a robata grill.

This polished brewpub under a Hackney railway arch is also opposite St John at Hackney churchyard (hence the name), a lovely spot to hang out in when it’s sunny. The brewery bar now rivals that, with a big beer garden out the back that’s packed with seating and, very importantly, food here comes from live fire specialists Lagom, who just so happen to make one of the best burgers in London. 

An ever-so-slightly Satanic-themed brewery by London Fields from the same team behind Camden’s much-loved metal pub, the Black Heart. More a classy divebar than a rough and ready taproom – though their excellent own Pilsner and Baltic Porter will make you think otherwise – it's also home to London's first ever vegan smokehouse run by LD’s Kitchen. 

Sager + Wilde just gets it. The bijou bar on Hackney Road serves up wine by the glass or bottle with serious finesse. You’ll probably discover grapes you've never even heard of and at refreshingly reasonable prices. Since its launch, a whole host of bars have tried to follow its stylish lead, but you just can’t recreate the feeling of sitting at a bar made from pavement lights, drinking incredible wine and munching on top-notch grilled cheese sarnies.

With tipples inspired by Only Fools And Horses (Morning Stallion), as well 1980s classics such as the Japanese Slipper, You Call The Shots doesn't take itself too seriously. Rotating kitchen pop-ups are great stomach-lining fodder but the best bit might just be the womb-like loos which play ‘I Wanna Be Yours’ by punk poet John Cooper Clarke (from which the bar gets its name) on a dizzying loop. 

Years come and go, and Happiness Forgets still remains one of London’s luminary bars. It’s not being boastful about it though, just hiding out below Hoxton Square with very little giving away its presence. Find your way down there for friendly service and cocktails still up there with the best. Top tip: sit up at the bar for the best experience.

The lads that do Top Cuvée also have a cave. And this is it. You get to their Bethnal Green bottle shop, descend some stairs and there you are. It’s giving student kitchen. But in a sexy way. Food-wise you have some plump hotdogs and charcuterie to soak up the booze. It’s a place to hang out, drink wine and chat – this is that pared-back, casual spot that your mates told you didn’t really exist in London. 

Tucked away in Stoke Newington, you’ll find this brilliant basement venue, which is home to a whole host of music, cabaret, queer comedy and drag nights, as well as a bar stacked with all kinds of mezcal and tequila. It's lush inside too, all pink and red and plush.

Setting up shop in the space formerly occupied by well-loved Haggerston hang-out Pamela, Ellie’s has given the Kingsland Road venue a lick of paint and some softer lighting but kept the ethos roughly the same: an easy-going neighbourhood drinking spot that’s big on vibes and low on unnecessary pretence. On a balmy summer’s night, their open front and pavement tables are a welcoming place to work your way through Ellie’s punchy cocktail list, from a pleasingly tart raspberry daiquiri to an always-welcome spicy marg.

The row of glistening vats that sits directly behind the bar at Howling Hops is enough to get beer geeks all sweaty palmed. The Hackney Wick brewery produces its signature hop-heavy beers in these, the powerful flavour a familiar thing to fans of US craft beer. They're best enjoyed tank fresh, so get your pint direct from the source and sip away on one of many picnic benches in what forms a sort of hipster beer hall.