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.
It’s the neighbourhood where all the cool kids come out to play, so it’s hardly surprising that you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to drinking options in Hackney. Cocktail bars are cutting edge, but in a way that’s not too try-hard. Wine bars bring high-end vino down to earth. And some of the country’s best breweries are found in the area, with hip, hop-heavy taprooms for the beer-loving public to explore, as well as two of London's most hedonistic heavy metal dive bars. Browse through our list of the area’s best bars for boozing inspiration come day or night thoughout Hackney – including Stoke Newington, London Fields, Bethnal Green, and Hackney Wick. If you're hungry, here are Hackney's best restaurants.
RECOMMENDED: Try out the very best bars in London.