Editorial
Hackney and Dalston have become essential drinking neighbourhoods in East London. The bars here are defined by independence, precision, and a willingness to experiment. Natural wine dominates the conversation, but craft beer, Turkish spirits, and underground cocktail bars all have their place. The density of good drinking is higher here than in many central London neighbourhoods, and the prices reflect the location rather than the tourist toll. These are our picks. If you are building a broader east London drinking itinerary, our guide to the best cocktail bars in east London connects Hackney to the wider E1-E9 cocktail scene.
Hackney's natural wine scene is now among the best in London. Multiple bars focus on small producers and non-interventionist winemaking. The knowledge is genuine, the selection is thoughtful, and the atmosphere encourages lingering rather than rushing.
Beyond wine, Hackney has developed strong credentials in craft beer. Multiple taprooms focus on independent brewers, and the neighbourhood pubs have upgraded their draught selection without losing their character. These are places where the beer matters but so does the crowd.
Dalston's Turkish bar scene is genuinely interesting and remains largely unknown to central London visitors. These are places where Arak flows freely, food comes late into the night, and the atmosphere is authentically Turkish rather than designed. Alongside this is a growing cocktail bar scene focused on precision and non-obvious drink construction.