Pubs in Hackney: east London's best boozers, chosen honestly
Last updated September 2026 · 6 pubs · Curated by drinkers, not advertisers
Hackney spent a decade being told it was cool and responded by opening a lot of very good pubs. The trouble is that some of them also opened a lot of very annoying service charge practices. This is a guide to the ones that get it right: proper beer, proper food, proper pricing.
From the old boozer on Mare Street that still does a Sunday roast worth queueing for, to the canal-side spots in Hackney Wick where you can watch the sunset with a pint, these are the pubs worth your time and your money. If any of them ambushes you at the card machine, report it. If they get it right, nominate them.
Hackney pubs at a glance
In a hurry? Match what you are after to the right pub, then jump to the details.
| Pub | Best for | Where |
|---|---|---|
| The Sebright Arms | Live music and a proper pub feel | Coventry Road, Hackney |
| The Palm Tree | A pint by the canal, jazz on weekends | Mile End, near Hackney Wick |
| The Chesham | Food and a drink in a handsome room | Palmers Road, Hackney |
| The Stamford Arms | A proper local with no pretensions | Stamford Hill, Hackney |
| The Kingsland Arms | A reliable pint in Dalston | Kingsland High Road, Dalston |
| The Cock Tavern | Cask ale and a traditional bar | Mare Street, Hackney |
The Sebright Arms: Hackney's live music pub
Live music pubCoventry Road, Hackney · 80-82 Coventry Road, E1 5RA · Best for: live music and a proper pub feel
A proper pub with a back room that hosts live music most nights. The front bar is all wood and carpet, the way pubs used to be, and the beer is well kept. The kind of place where you go for one and stay for three.
Pricing is honest. No service charge on the card machine, which is exactly what we like to see.
The Palm Tree: the legendary canal-side boozer
Canal-side pubMile End, near Hackney Wick · 127 Grove Road, E3 4TW · Best for: a pint by the canal, jazz on weekends
A genuine East End survivor, sat by the canal with a garden that fills up on sunny afternoons. Live jazz on weekends, a proper crowd, and the sort of atmosphere that cannot be manufactured.
Cash-friendly, honest pricing, and no service charge nonsense. A pub that reminds you why you go to pubs.
The Chesham: Hackney's gastropub worth booking
GastropubPalmers Road, Hackney · 62 Palmers Road, E2 0SJ · Best for: food and a drink in a handsome room
A handsome gastropub off the main drag with a kitchen that punches well above its weight. The room is comfortable, the menu changes with the seasons, and the bar area works for a drink even if you are not eating.
Prices are clear and fair. No card machine surprises, which is a relief for a pub this good in this postcode.
The Stamford Arms: the unpretentious Hackney local
Traditional pubStamford Hill, Hackney · 57 Stamford Hill, E8 2QH · Best for: a proper local with no pretensions
A traditional corner pub that has resisted every trend Hackney has thrown at it. No craft beer wall, no small plates, no cocktail menu. Just a proper bar, proper customers, and prices that make sense.
The kind of pub the Hall of Saints was made for. Honest in every direction.
The Kingsland Arms: Dalston's dependable pub
Neighbourhood pubKingsland High Road, Dalston · 516 Kingsland Road, E8 4AE · Best for: a reliable pint in dalston
A no-nonsense pub on the Kingsland Road that serves a reliable pint without the attitude. The sort of place you go when you want a drink and do not want to think about it.
Fair pricing, no service charge tricks. A pub that does the basics right, which is harder to find in Dalston than it should be.
The Cock Tavern: cask ale on Mare Street
Cask ale pub Mare Street, Hackney · 323 Mare Street, E8 1DT · Best for: cask ale and a traditional bar
A traditional pub on Mare Street with a commitment to cask ale that puts fancier places to shame. The beer is well kept, the room is unpretentious, and the customers are there to drink, not to be seen.
Honest pricing throughout. No service charge on the card machine, no gimmicks. A proper pub.
Hackney pubs: common questions
Where are the best pubs in Hackney?
Away from the busiest stretches of Dalston and Shoreditch. The Sebright Arms on Coventry Road, The Cock Tavern on Mare Street, and The Palm Tree by the canal are all reliable for a proper pint.
Do Hackney pubs add service charges?
Some of the trendier bars in Dalston and Hackney Wick have been known to add service charges without asking. The pubs on this list have been chosen because they play fair. If you get ambushed anywhere in Hackney, file a report.
Where can I drink by the canal in Hackney?
The Palm Tree, sat by the canal near Mile End, has a garden that fills up on sunny afternoons. It is one of the best outdoor drinking spots in east London, with live jazz on weekends.
Which Hackney pub is best for cask ale?
The Cock Tavern on Mare Street keeps its cask lines properly and rotates the selection regularly. If real ale is your priority, start there.
Pubs in other areas
More guides: the best pubs in Camden, pub walks and quiet pubs in London.