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Sure, the borough might these days be synonymous with mulleted gentrifiers, but Hackney remains a veritable haven of good boozers. Its roster of pint-pouring paradises – whether they be bars or pubs – has been well documented by this Time Out guide, and now the east London borough has another pub to add to the list.
The brew masters behind East London Brewing Co. have unveiled plans for the Empire Tavern. Opening on March 20, the new pub/diner is a joint venture with the Taverns East Pub Group, which already owns the Leytonstone Tavern and Walthamstow’s Tavern On The Hill.
The two drinking institutions have teamed up to revive the site, which was once home to a Victorian pub called The Britannia that was badly damaged during World War ll. Located on Mare Street next to the Hackney Empire, the project breathes fresh life into a building with a boozing history that dates all the way back to 1790.
Food will be central to the Empire Tavern, with casual all-day dining, pre-theatre offers and Sunday roasts. Exclusive to Empire Tavern is the bone daddy burger with smoked, braised beef brisket, confit garlic mayo, Guinness gravy, crispy onions and a hunk of smoked bone marrow. Yum.
The Empire Tavern certainly doesn’t plan to scrimp on snacks, either, with smoked ham and cheese croquettes with pineapple jam and mustard mayo, and hash browns with Cacklebean egg and chip shop curry sauce. There’s also a fancy loaded nachos dish topped with venison chilli, sticky miso honey chicken wings or Smoked mutton spring rolls.
It wouldn’t be a pub without the drinks, and as for what’s on tap, it’ll come as no surprise that East London Brewing Co.’s beers and cask ales will be front and centre. Added to this is a rotating lineup of local independents: brews from Hackney Wick’s Howling Hops and E8 microbrewery Saint Monday have already secured a spot on the menu.
And for the cocktail lovers, well, £10 margaritas might get your attention. We can’t say yet whether it measures up to the best marg in London, but at least you’ll be a few quid richer. There will also be monthly ‘First Pours’ events including collaborative beer launches with guest breweries and tequila tastings, as well as alongside Empire Tavern Lates – listening-bar-style nights on Fridays and Saturdays.
Hackneyites are all about the aesthetics – in that regard, the Empire Tavern takes more inspo from New York dive bars than old school London boozers. Dark wood booths, red leather seats and ’70s vintage lighting set the tone. A mezzanine level allows for more seating and event space above the bar.
Expect the pub to transform into a co-working space by day, with drinks by nearby roastery Flying Horse Coffee. Plus, sunnier days will make good use of the alfresco seating out front, with space for 50 people.
The Empire Tavern opens at 289 Mare Street, E8 1EJ on March 20.
Check out Time Out's guide to London's best brewery tap rooms here.
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