Off Broadway

Off Broadway has held its corner of Broadway Market since 2008, a converted shopfront built to feel like the bars of New York's East Village. Dark wood, dim bulbs used as decoration, and a long stocked bar set the tone the moment you walk in. The bar leans on two things at once: a serious cocktail list and a wide range of craft beer, local and American.

The clever part is downstairs. Below the main room sits a separate speakeasy style lounge with its own bar and space for screenings, bands, and DJs. That gives the venue a second gear without losing the relaxed feel of the ground floor. The two-level setup is also why it works so well as a Broadway Market anchor, since it can hold a quiet weekday drink upstairs and a Friday gig below in the same building without the two crowds ever colliding.

This is a strong all rounder for Broadway Market rather than a destination cocktail temple. It works for an after work drink and for a long Saturday on the market. See our best bars in Hackney guide and the east London bar hopping route for where it fits.

The main room reads like a New York neighborhood bar transplanted to E8. Artwork lines the walls, the lighting stays low, and the bar itself is the centerpiece, stocked deep across spirits and beer.

The basement is the reason to stay late. It runs as a separate speakeasy style space with its own bar, and it hosts live bands, DJ sets, and screenings. Cheese toasties and simple plates keep the kitchen honest rather than ambitious.

• Tripadvisor reviewers have repeatedly named it among the better cocktail spots in Hackney.
• The East Village styling and the basement live music come up again and again in Google Maps reviews.
• CAMRA lists it as an American cocktail bar with a craft beer range worth the trip.
• Regulars rate it as a dependable Broadway Market anchor for both day drinking and late nights.

• An after work cocktail and craft beer within reach of London Fields.
• A long Saturday session anchored on Broadway Market.
• Avoid if you want a polished, reservations-only cocktail room.