A selection of different bottled beers lined up on a polished bar counter A selection of different bottled beers lined up on a polished bar counter

The best beer bars in London

What with the proud British ale tradition and the abundance of corner pubs and local boozers in London, there's certainly no shortage of places where you can get a cold beer after work in the capital. But those looking for a change from their usual pint, perhaps a bold new flavour or just a different setting, are also well taken care of with a thriving craft beer scene providing tantalising new brews. Read on to discover some of the best beer bars, taprooms, bottleshops, and specialist pubs in the city.

In this guide
  1. The best beer bars in London
    1. The Arch House – Taproom by bold brewery
    2. Big Penny Social – Lively community hub
    3. True Craft – Pizza 'n' beer, name a better duo
    4. The Euston Tap – Cramped space, amped selection
    5. House of Hammerton – Where Holloway gets hammert
    6. The Blue Posts – Georgian gastro haven
    7. German Kraft – Authentic biers in impressive settings
    8. The Viaduct – Trendy urban three-in-one
    9. Beer + Burger Store – The title says it all
    10. Bermondsey Bierkeller – Oktoberfest all year round
    11. BrewDog Waterloo – All-in-one beer entertainment centre
    12. Signature Brew – "Brewed with music"
    13. Stein's – UKtoberfest
    14. Beer Merchants Tap – Massive international selection
    15. Mother Kelly's – Indie taprooms with broad global choice
    16. The Italian Job – Italian craft specialists
    17. The Harp – Award-winning pub with big cider selection
    18. Howling Hops – Beer straight from the tank
    19. Camden Beer Hall – Famed lager purveyor's headquarters
    20. Juju's – Diverse entertainment venue
    21. Wild Card Brewery – Simple garage-like setting for quality pints
    22. The Craft Beer Co. – Craft beer heaven for traditionalists
    23. The Rake – Tiny bar, huge significance
    24. Earl of Essex – Sour power hour
    25. The Small Beer Taproom – Lower-alcohol beer specialists
    26. Heist Bank – Playground for adults
    27. The Barrel Project – 200 barrels of beer on the wall
    28. The Jolly Butchers – Traditional pub with wide range
    29. The Understudy – Pre- or post-show crafts
    30. German Gymnasium – King's Cross Bavaria
    31. Beer Rebellion – Friendly garage pub
    32. Kill the Cat – For curious beer lovers
    33. Lowlander Grand Cafe – Doubling down on Belgian beer
    34. The Southampton Arms – Championing local indie breweries
    35. Brewhouse & Kitchen – In-house brews and beer-can chicken
    36. Bierschenke – A Munich welcome
    37. Blondies Brewery – Rock 'n' roll!
    38. The Fox – Kerbside beer station
    39. BeerKat – Ealing bar and bottle shop
    40. The Crown – Craft beer in Greenwich
    41. The Dovetail – Showcasing Belgian beer
    42. Small Beer – Drinks in Crouch End

The best beer bars in London

The Arch House – Beer bars
The Arch House
The Arch House – Beer bars
The Arch House
The Arch House – Beer bars
The Arch House
The Arch House – Beer bars
The Arch House
The Arch House – Beer bars
The Arch House
The Arch House – Beer bars
The Arch House
The Arch House – Beer bars
The Arch House
The Arch House – Beer bars
The Arch House
The Arch House – Beer bars
The Arch House
The Arch House – Beer bars
The Arch House

The Arch House

Taproom by bold brewery

Anspach & Hobday is at the forefront of London’s new wave of independent craft breweries, offering bold choices such as a sea salt & chilli stout in addition to its core range of classic beers. At its taproom on the Bermondsey Beer Mile, you can enjoy one of the brewery’s twelve beers in an arched space with a high ceiling. The venue also often hosts different events, from craft beer festivals to stand-up comedy and tastings, and can be booked for private events.

Big Penny Social – Beer bars
Big Penny Social
Big Penny Social – Beer bars
Big Penny Social
Big Penny Social – Beer bars
Big Penny Social
Big Penny Social – Beer bars
Big Penny Social
Big Penny Social – Beer bars
Big Penny Social
Big Penny Social – Beer bars
Big Penny Social
Big Penny Social – Beer bars
Big Penny Social
Big Penny Social – Beer bars
Big Penny Social
Big Penny Social – Beer bars
Big Penny Social
Big Penny Social – Beer bars
Big Penny Social
Big Penny Social – Beer bars
Big Penny Social
Big Penny Social – Beer bars
Big Penny Social
Big Penny Social – Beer bars
Big Penny Social

Big Penny Social

Lively community hub

Big Penny Social on the Blackhorse Beer Mile showcases Big Penny core and limited-edition beers and guest brews across its 20 draughts. The spacious warehouse provides a welcoming setting with wooden tables and benches, as well as boasting a sunny outdoor garden. There are also workspaces for hire above the main floor. The venue regularly hosts a wide variety of events, including live music, film screenings, sports broadcasts, performances and more, and has become a local socialising fixture.

 – Beer bars
True Craft Walthamstow – Beer bars
True Craft Walthamstow
True Craft Walthamstow – Beer bars
True Craft Walthamstow
True Craft Walthamstow – Beer bars
True Craft Walthamstow
True Craft Walthamstow – Beer bars
True Craft Walthamstow
 – Beer bars
True Craft Walthamstow – Beer bars
True Craft Walthamstow
True Craft Walthamstow – Beer bars
True Craft Walthamstow
True Craft Walthamstow – Beer bars
True Craft Walthamstow
True Craft Walthamstow – Beer bars
True Craft Walthamstow
True Craft Walthamstow True Craft Tottenham
True Craft Walthamstow
truecraftlondon.co.uk
True Craft Tottenham
truecraftlondon.co.uk
True Craft Walthamstow
@truecraftlondon
True Craft Tottenham
@truecrafttottenham
True Craft Walthamstow True Craft Tottenham

Pizza 'n' beer, name a better duo

The True Craft pizzerias know that nothing pairs better with a nice crisp beer than freshly baked pizza. These welcoming local spots offer a varied assortment of craft beers, including a weekly changing draught line-up, complemented by authentic sourdough pizzas and other snacks. True Craft is dedicated to championing local craft brewers as well as independent breweries from further afield, and its commitment to sustainable sourcing shines through in the ingredients used in the pizzas as well.

  • 18-20 St James St, Walthamstow/Waltham Forest 68 West Green Road, Haringey
    True Craft Walthamstow
    18-20 St James St, Walthamstow/Waltham Forest
    True Craft Tottenham
    68 West Green Road, Haringey
  • True Craft Walthamstow
    truecraftlondon.co.uk
    True Craft Tottenham
    truecraftlondon.co.uk
    True Craft Walthamstow
    020-453 175 24
    True Craft Tottenham
    020-835 133 97
  • True Craft Walthamstow True Craft Tottenham
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap
The Euston Tap – Beer bars
The Euston Tap

The Euston Tap

Cramped space, amped selection

Occupying a former passenger information kiosk next to Euston Station, The Euston Tap is somewhat starved for space, though a large beer garden alleviates the issue in nice weather. The beer bar doesn’t lack for variety, however, with a varied assortment of beers, ales, ciders and more from all over the world on its many taps. It often hosts guest brewery takeovers on its taps, as well as stocking plenty of bottles and cans in the fridge.

House of Hammerton – Beer bars
House of Hammerton
House of Hammerton – Beer bars
House of Hammerton
House of Hammerton – Beer bars
House of Hammerton
House of Hammerton – Beer bars
House of Hammerton
House of Hammerton – Beer bars
House of Hammerton
House of Hammerton – Beer bars
House of Hammerton
House of Hammerton – Beer bars
House of Hammerton
House of Hammerton – Beer bars
House of Hammerton
House of Hammerton – Beer bars
House of Hammerton
House of Hammerton – Beer bars
House of Hammerton

House of Hammerton

Where Holloway gets hammert

House of Hammerton in Holloway is a popular destination for craft beer enthusiasts, offering a bright, industrial setting with an informal vibe, filled with greenery and communal tables and perfect for tasting locally-brewed beer. The bar, situated in a building with a rich history, features 20 beer lines, four cask lines, and a bottle shop with over 60 beers, ensuring a high-quality experience for patrons. In addition to serving Hammerton Brewery beers, the venue offers selections from other UK and international brewers.

The Blue Posts – Beer bars
The Blue Posts
The Blue Posts – Beer bars
The Blue Posts
The Blue Posts – Beer bars
The Blue Posts
The Blue Posts – Beer bars
The Blue Posts
The Blue Posts – Beer bars
The Blue Posts
The Blue Posts – Beer bars
The Blue Posts
The Blue Posts – Beer bars
The Blue Posts
The Blue Posts – Beer bars
The Blue Posts
The Blue Posts – Beer bars
The Blue Posts
The Blue Posts – Beer bars
The Blue Posts

The Blue Posts

Georgian gastro haven

The Blue Posts is a unique establishment housed in a Grade II-listed Georgian building, boasting a rich history since 1739 and revived in 2017 into a multifaceted venue. With a classic navy-blue exterior, Georgian windows, and a vibrant interior, the pub offers an assortment of British craft beers, along international wines, and gourmet bar snacks.

Kraft Dalston – Beer bars
Kraft Dalston
Kraft Dalston – Beer bars
Kraft Dalston
Kraft Dalston – Beer bars
Kraft Dalston
Kraft Dalston – Beer bars
Kraft Dalston
Kraft Dalston – Beer bars
Kraft Dalston
Kraft Dalston – Beer bars
Kraft Dalston
Kraft Dalston – Beer bars
Kraft Dalston
Kraft Dalston – Beer bars
Kraft Dalston
Kraft Dalston German Kraft Elephant & Castle German Kraft Mayfair Kraft Brixton
Kraft Dalston
kraftdalston.com
German Kraft Elephant & Castle
germankraft.com/elephant-castle-venue
German Kraft Mayfair
germankraft.com/mayfair-venue
Kraft Brixton
kraftbrixton.com
Kraft Dalston
@kraftdalston
German Kraft Elephant & Castle
@germankraftbeer
German Kraft Mayfair
@germankraft_mayfair
Kraft Brixton
@kraftbrixton
Kraft Dalston German Kraft Elephant & Castle German Kraft Mayfair Kraft Brixton

Authentic biers in impressive settings

Whether it’s the vast original beer garden in Elephant & Castle, a majestic deconsecrated church in Mayfair or a brewery incorporated into a hotel in Dalston, the German Kraft Brewery knows how to provide a suitable setting for its brews. With each of the sites having an actually brewery on hand, you can be sure the pilsners, lagers and other craft biers are poured fresh.

  • Mercato Metropolitano, 42 Newington Causeway, Southwark Mercato Mayfair, St. Mark's Church, North Audley Street, Mayfair 130a Kingsland High St, Dalston Brixton Village, 43 Granville Arcade, Brixton
    German Kraft Elephant & Castle
    Mercato Metropolitano, 42 Newington Causeway, Southwark
    German Kraft Mayfair
    Mercato Mayfair, St. Mark's Church, North Audley Street, Mayfair
    Kraft Dalston
    130a Kingsland High St, Dalston
    Kraft Brixton
    Brixton Village, 43 Granville Arcade, Brixton
  • Kraft Dalston
    kraftdalston.com
    German Kraft Elephant & Castle
    germankraft.com/elephant-castle-venue
    German Kraft Mayfair
    germankraft.com/mayfair-venue
    Kraft Brixton
    kraftbrixton.com
    Kraft Dalston
    020-387 708 65
  • Kraft Dalston German Kraft Elephant & Castle German Kraft Mayfair Kraft Brixton
The Viaduct Shoreditch – Beer bars
The Viaduct Shoreditch
The Viaduct Shoreditch – Beer bars
The Viaduct Shoreditch
The Viaduct Shoreditch – Beer bars
The Viaduct Shoreditch
The Viaduct Shoreditch – Beer bars
The Viaduct Shoreditch
The Viaduct Shoreditch – Beer bars
The Viaduct Shoreditch
The Viaduct Shoreditch – Beer bars
The Viaduct Shoreditch
The Viaduct Shoreditch – Beer bars
The Viaduct Shoreditch
The Viaduct Shoreditch – Beer bars
The Viaduct Shoreditch
The Viaduct Shoreditch – Beer bars
The Viaduct Shoreditch
The Viaduct Shoreditch – Beer bars
The Viaduct Shoreditch
The Viaduct Shoreditch – Beer bars
The Viaduct Shoreditch
The Viaduct Shoreditch – Beer bars
The Viaduct Shoreditch

The Viaduct

Trendy urban three-in-one

A new multi-purpose venue in Shoreditch, The Viaduct combines a vibrant restaurant with a terrace surrounded by street art, a taproom serving E1 Brew Co craft beer, and a spaced-out cocktail lounge with striking lighting and mixology expertise. The taproom provides plush booths in an industrial setting with exposed brickwork and pipes, timber panelling and its own year-round terrace.

Beer + Burger Store Dalston – Beer bars
Beer + Burger Store Dalston
Beer + Burger Store Dalston – Beer bars
Beer + Burger Store Dalston
Beer + Burger Store Dalston – Beer bars
Beer + Burger Store Dalston
Beer + Burger Store Dalston – Beer bars
Beer + Burger Store Dalston
Beer + Burger Store King's Cross Beer + Burger Store Willesden Green
Beer + Burger Store King's Cross
beerandburgerstore.com/stores#kingscross
Beer + Burger Store Willesden Green
beerandburgerstore.com/stores#willesden
Beer + Burger Store King's Cross Beer + Burger Store Willesden Green

The title says it all

The Beer + Burger Stores keep their wall-to-wall fridges stocked with an impressive selection of bottles and cans from around the world, as well as maintaining a changing tap lineup of independent brewers. The second part of the offer at the trendily furnished venues are, of course, burgers. These come in both meat and plant-based versions, with a plentiful selection of sides to go with them as well.

  • 1 York Way, King's Cross 88 Walm Ln, Brent
    Beer + Burger Store King's Cross
    1 York Way, King's Cross
    Beer + Burger Store Willesden Green
    88 Walm Ln, Brent
  • Beer + Burger Store King's Cross
    beerandburgerstore.com/stores#kingscross
    Beer + Burger Store Willesden Green
    beerandburgerstore.com/stores#willesden
    Beer + Burger Store King's Cross
    020-396 357 95
    Beer + Burger Store Willesden Green
    020-301 975 75
  • Beer + Burger Store King's Cross Beer + Burger Store Willesden Green
Bermondsey Bierkeller – Beer bars
Bermondsey Bierkeller
Bermondsey Bierkeller – Beer bars
Bermondsey Bierkeller
Bermondsey Bierkeller – Beer bars
Bermondsey Bierkeller
Bermondsey Bierkeller – Beer bars
Bermondsey Bierkeller
Bermondsey Bierkeller – Beer bars
Bermondsey Bierkeller
Bermondsey Bierkeller – Beer bars
Bermondsey Bierkeller
Bermondsey Bierkeller – Beer bars
Bermondsey Bierkeller
Bermondsey Bierkeller – Beer bars
Bermondsey Bierkeller

Bermondsey Bierkeller

Oktoberfest all year round

Bermondsey Bierkeller is a slice of Germany in London, capturing the essence of German beer culture in a cavernous space adorned with slogans and communal seating. The award-winning venue, inspired by Oktoberfest, offers a variety of spaces including a traditional bierkeller and an Alpine chalet, complete with live bands, events, and an authentic menu. Patrons can indulge in a range of beverages from Bavarian beers to local brews, complemented by a German food menu.

BrewDog Waterloo

All-in-one beer entertainment centre

The largest BrewDog bar on the planet, the multinational brewery’s newly opened Waterloo branch spans two floors and 26,000 square feet. The huge complex includes not just a beer bar with a broad range of BrewDog beers and guest brews, but also a restaurant with comfy favourites such as burgers and pizza, a brunch café in collaboration with Grind Coffee, a Hackney Gelato ice cream van, co-working areas, a bowling alley and more.

Signature Brew Blackhorse Road Signature Brew Haggerston
Signature Brew Blackhorse Road
signaturebrew.co.uk/pages/visit-the-brewers-bar-at-signature-brew-in-blackhorse-road-walthamstow
Signature Brew Haggerston
signaturebrew.co.uk/pages/the-signature-brew-taproom-venue-in-haggerston-east-london
Signature Brew Blackhorse Road
@signaturebrewbh
Signature Brew Haggerston
@signaturebrewe8
Signature Brew Blackhorse Road Signature Brew Haggerston

"Brewed with music"

Aiming to redefine what it means to be a brewery, the acclaimed Signature Brew brewery provides community venues that bring together fresh crafts beers, music, and other entertainment. Their flagship industrial venue on the Blackhorse Beer Mile has a stage among the shiny vats, as well as a taproom & kitchen and an outdoor terrace, while their E8 taproom is tucked away in a railway arch with canalside seating.

  • Unit 15, Uplands Business Park, Blackhorse Ln, Walthamstow/Waltham Forest 340 Acton Mews, Shoreditch/Dalston
    Signature Brew Blackhorse Road
    Unit 15, Uplands Business Park, Blackhorse Ln, Walthamstow/Waltham Forest
    Signature Brew Haggerston
    340 Acton Mews, Shoreditch/Dalston
  • Signature Brew Blackhorse Road
    signaturebrew.co.uk/pages/visit-the-brewers-bar-at-signature-brew-in-blackhorse-road-walthamstow
    Signature Brew Haggerston
    signaturebrew.co.uk/pages/the-signature-brew-taproom-venue-in-haggerston-east-london
    Signature Brew Blackhorse Road
    020-768 446 64
    Signature Brew Haggerston
    020-792 394 17
  • Signature Brew Blackhorse Road Signature Brew Haggerston
Stein's Richmond Stein's Kingston
Stein's Richmond
richmond.stein-s.com
Stein's Kingston
kingston.stein-s.com
Stein's Richmond Stein's Kingston

UKtoberfest

The Stein’s beer gardens in Kensington and Richmond offer a taste of Oktoberfest in a laidback setting with plenty of outdoor seating. The eponymous steins of Munich lager and other imported German beers are complemented with authentic German specialties such as wursts, schnitzels and pretzels for the full Bavarian experience.

  • Richmond Towpath, Richmond 56 High St
    Stein's Richmond
    Richmond Towpath, Richmond
    Stein's Kingston
    56 High St
  • Stein's Richmond
    richmond.stein-s.com
    Stein's Kingston
    kingston.stein-s.com
    Stein's Richmond
    020-374 662 40
    Stein's Kingston
    020-374 662 50
  • Stein's Richmond Stein's Kingston

Beer Merchants Tap

Massive international selection

Located in Hackney Wick, this craft beer bar has 20 keg taps as well as serving a range of over 500 bottles and cans from the best breweries around the globe. In the dim exposed-brick setting, you can also snack on cheese and charcuterie platters or grab a heftier dish from the partnered food vendor.

Mother Kelly's Vauxhall Mother Kelly's Stratford Mother Kelly's Bethnal Green Mother Kelly's Tottenham
Mother Kelly's Vauxhall
motherkellys.co.uk/taproom-vauxhall-se1
Mother Kelly's Stratford
motherkellys.co.uk/taproom-stratford-e20
Mother Kelly's Bethnal Green
motherkellys.co.uk/taproom-bethnal-green-e2
Mother Kelly's Tottenham
motherkellys.co.uk
Mother Kelly's Vauxhall
@motherkellys_se1
Mother Kelly's Stratford
@motherkellys_e20
Mother Kelly's Bethnal Green
@motherkellys_e2
Mother Kelly's Tottenham
@motherkellys_n17
Mother Kelly's Vauxhall Mother Kelly's Stratford Mother Kelly's Bethnal Green Mother Kelly's Tottenham

Indie taprooms with broad global choice

At its taprooms, the independent London brewery Mother Kelly's offers a wide assortment of some of the finest craft beers from around the world. Its locations boast a selection of bottles and cans numbering in the hundreds, as well as draught lines with a rotating line-up of quality beers.

  • 76 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall/Lambeth/Southwark 251 Paradise Row, Tower Hamlets 27 Victory Parade, Newham Unit 1, Rosa Luxemburg Apartments, 16 Ashley Road, Haringey
    Mother Kelly's Vauxhall
    76 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall/Lambeth/Southwark
    Mother Kelly's Bethnal Green
    251 Paradise Row, Tower Hamlets
    Mother Kelly's Stratford
    27 Victory Parade, Newham
    Mother Kelly's Tottenham
    Unit 1, Rosa Luxemburg Apartments, 16 Ashley Road, Haringey
  • Mother Kelly's Vauxhall
    motherkellys.co.uk/taproom-vauxhall-se1
    Mother Kelly's Stratford
    motherkellys.co.uk/taproom-stratford-e20
    Mother Kelly's Bethnal Green
    motherkellys.co.uk/taproom-bethnal-green-e2
    Mother Kelly's Tottenham
    motherkellys.co.uk
    Mother Kelly's Vauxhall
    020-709 197 79
    Mother Kelly's Stratford
    020-806 330 22
    Mother Kelly's Bethnal Green
    020-701 212 44
  • Mother Kelly's Vauxhall Mother Kelly's Stratford Mother Kelly's Bethnal Green Mother Kelly's Tottenham
The Italian Job Hackney Wick The Italian Job Canary Wharf The Italian Job Mercato Metropolitano The Italian Job Holloway
The Italian Job Hackney Wick
theitalianjobpub.co.uk/hackney-wick
The Italian Job Canary Wharf
theitalianjobpub.co.uk/canary-wharf
The Italian Job Mercato Metropolitano
theitalianjobpub.co.uk/mercato-metropolitano
The Italian Job Holloway
theitalianjobpub.co.uk/holloway
The Italian Job Hackney Wick The Italian Job Canary Wharf The Italian Job Mercato Metropolitano The Italian Job Holloway

Italian craft specialists

Though Italy might not be at the top of the list when it comes to traditional beer powerhouses, the country's artisanal breweries are more than capable of delivering a standout pint. That's the idea behind The Italian Job, whose flagship two-storey pub in East London showcases some of the best craft breweries in the country, as well as serving pizza and other authentic snacks. The Italian Job stalls can also be found at several other locations.

  • 130 Cadogan Terrace, Tower Hamlets 6 George St, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets 42 Newington Causeway, Southwark Nag's Head Market, Seven Sisters Rd
    The Italian Job Hackney Wick
    130 Cadogan Terrace, Tower Hamlets
    The Italian Job Canary Wharf
    6 George St, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets
    The Italian Job Mercato Metropolitano
    42 Newington Causeway, Southwark
    The Italian Job Holloway
    Nag's Head Market, Seven Sisters Rd
  • The Italian Job Hackney Wick
    theitalianjobpub.co.uk/hackney-wick
    The Italian Job Canary Wharf
    theitalianjobpub.co.uk/canary-wharf
    The Italian Job Mercato Metropolitano
    theitalianjobpub.co.uk/mercato-metropolitano
    The Italian Job Holloway
    theitalianjobpub.co.uk/holloway
    The Italian Job Hackney Wick
    020-344 122 41
    The Italian Job Mercato Metropolitano
    020-740 309 30
  • The Italian Job Hackney Wick The Italian Job Canary Wharf The Italian Job Mercato Metropolitano The Italian Job Holloway

The Harp

Award-winning pub with big cider selection

When you need an escape from busy Covent Garden, ducking into The Harp and relaxing in the peak pub-ness of the place is a welcome solution. The award-winning ale house with oodles of character spans two floors, leaning into its role with an array of classic cask ales and rotating guest brews on tap. Their assortment of ciders and perries from all over the country is a particular point of pride for them.

Howling Hops

Beer straight from the tank

With the Howling Hops brewery making all their beer on-site in their lively bar in Queens Yard, you can get a pint poured straight from the tank. The Howling Hops Tank Bar and Kitchen has an outside courtyard where you can relax with a glass of unfiltered, unpasteurised beer, as well as a kitchen serving up a variety of tasty dishes.

Camden Beer Hall

Famed lager purveyor's headquarters

Known particularly for its Hells Lager, the Camden Town Brewery is a regular presence at pubs in London. At its brewery taproom, you can try 24 different taps, accompanied by flavourful food designed to pair perfectly with a pint, for example mixed platters and beef and ale pie. The lively railway arch is open to all, including pawed pals, and you can also join a tour of the brewery itself to see how the beer is made.

Juju's

Diverse entertainment venue

Juju’s Bar and Stage offers an abundance of entertainment along its varied selection of local and global craft beers, mezcal spirits and cocktails, regularly programming live music, DJ nights, film screenings, art shows, talks and more. Situated in a vast warehouse in the former Truman Brewery building next to Brick Lane, it also boasts outdoor seating and a street food vendor.

Wild Card Brewery Lockwood Taproom The Wild Card Brewery Barrel Store
Wild Card Brewery Lockwood Taproom
wildcardbrewery.co.uk/lockwood-taproom-temp
The Wild Card Brewery Barrel Store
wildcardbrewery.co.uk/the-barrel-store-temp
Wild Card Brewery Lockwood Taproom The Wild Card Brewery Barrel Store

Simple garage-like setting for quality pints

The taprooms at Wild Card Breweries' two facilities in Walthamstow are simple, stripped-down affairs in the area’s warehouse quarters that rely heavily on outside seating. There’s a charming workmanlike quality to the setting that makes it a fine choice for a well-deserved post-work pint and casual chatting.

  • Shernhall Street, Walthamstow/Waltham Forest 2 Lockwood Way, Walthamstow/Waltham Forest
    The Wild Card Brewery Barrel Store
    Shernhall Street, Walthamstow/Waltham Forest
    Wild Card Brewery Lockwood Taproom
    2 Lockwood Way, Walthamstow/Waltham Forest
  • Wild Card Brewery Lockwood Taproom
    wildcardbrewery.co.uk/lockwood-taproom-temp
    The Wild Card Brewery Barrel Store
    wildcardbrewery.co.uk/the-barrel-store-temp
  • Wild Card Brewery Lockwood Taproom The Wild Card Brewery Barrel Store
The Craft Beer Co. Brixton The Craft Beer Co. Clerkenwell The Craft Beer Co. Covent Garden The Craft Beer Co. Hammersmith The Craft Beer Co. Limehouse The Craft Beer Co. St. Mary Axe
The Craft Beer Co. Brixton
thecraftbeerco.com/brixton
The Craft Beer Co. Clerkenwell
thecraftbeerco.com/clerkenwell
The Craft Beer Co. Covent Garden
thecraftbeerco.com/covent-garden
The Craft Beer Co. Hammersmith
thecraftbeerco.com/hammersmith
The Craft Beer Co. Limehouse
thecraftbeerco.com/limehouse
The Craft Beer Co. St. Mary Axe
thecraftbeerco.com/st-mary-axe
The Craft Beer Co. Brixton The Craft Beer Co. Clerkenwell The Craft Beer Co. Covent Garden The Craft Beer Co. Hammersmith The Craft Beer Co. Limehouse The Craft Beer Co. St. Mary Axe

Craft beer heaven for traditionalists

At its branches around London, The Craft Beer Co. offers a massive assortment of craft beers in a traditional pub setting. The bars boast multiple cask lines and keg pumps, complemented by hundreds of bottles and cans from microbreweries across the country. The range on offer changes constantly at each venue, not just from branch to branch, so you can be sure there’s always a new brew to try.

  • 11-13 Brixton Station Road, Brixton 82 Leather Lane, Holborn 168 High Holborn, Covent Garden 17-18 The Broadway, Hammersmith and Fulham 576 Commercial Road, Tower Hamlets 29-31 Mitre Street, The City/City of London
    The Craft Beer Co. Brixton
    11-13 Brixton Station Road, Brixton
    The Craft Beer Co. Clerkenwell
    82 Leather Lane, Holborn
    The Craft Beer Co. Covent Garden
    168 High Holborn, Covent Garden
    The Craft Beer Co. Hammersmith
    17-18 The Broadway, Hammersmith and Fulham
    The Craft Beer Co. Limehouse
    576 Commercial Road, Tower Hamlets
    The Craft Beer Co. St. Mary Axe
    29-31 Mitre Street, The City/City of London
  • The Craft Beer Co. Brixton
    thecraftbeerco.com/brixton
    The Craft Beer Co. Clerkenwell
    thecraftbeerco.com/clerkenwell
    The Craft Beer Co. Covent Garden
    thecraftbeerco.com/covent-garden
    The Craft Beer Co. Hammersmith
    thecraftbeerco.com/hammersmith
    The Craft Beer Co. Limehouse
    thecraftbeerco.com/limehouse
    The Craft Beer Co. St. Mary Axe
    thecraftbeerco.com/st-mary-axe
    The Craft Beer Co. Brixton
    020-727 483 83
    The Craft Beer Co. Clerkenwell
    020-740 470 49
    The Craft Beer Co. Covent Garden
    020-724 004 31
    The Craft Beer Co. Hammersmith
    020-874 870 33
    The Craft Beer Co. Limehouse
    020-779 027 26
    The Craft Beer Co. St. Mary Axe
    020-792 951 12
  • The Craft Beer Co. Brixton The Craft Beer Co. Clerkenwell The Craft Beer Co. Covent Garden The Craft Beer Co. Hammersmith The Craft Beer Co. Limehouse The Craft Beer Co. St. Mary Axe

The Rake

Tiny bar, huge significance

One of London’s smallest bars, The Rake, tucked away in Borough Market, is also one of its most significant ones when it comes to craft beer, as evidenced by the signatures of leading global brewers on its walls. The tiny bar was at the forefront of the craft beer expansion in the UK, helping launch numerous craft beers and the industry to develop. Years later, the award-winning bar offers four cask and 16 keg lines with a frequently changing selection of beers, as well as bottles and cans from all over the world.

Earl of Essex

Sour power hour

An Islington craft beer institution, The Earl of Essex is committed to showcasing a rotating selection of some of the best local and international beers. It places a particular spotlight on a specific subsection of those – sour beers. In addition to usual-sized sour beers in different varieties, you can even get big corked sharing bottles here, ideally to be enjoyed in the beer garden out back, with good company and a plate of tasty food from the pub’s kitchen in front of you.

The Small Beer Taproom

Lower-alcohol beer specialists

Using their own innovative brewing kit, the Small Beer Brew Co. makes classic beer styles with an alcohol content of below 2.8% without compromising on flavour. Consequently, the resulting sugar content and calories are lower as well. You sample these game-changing brews at their taproom in South Bermondsey, a fun, friendly space where you can also throw down with a board game or grab a bite from one of the streetfood vendors.

Heist Bank

Playground for adults

Heist Bank is a chic industrial-style space in Paddington that curates an intriguing assortment of craft beers. You can enjoy your pint with a slice of sourdough pizza or while playing board games, pool and other fun games. On weekends, you might even catch a DJ spinning music to add to the party vibe.

The Barrel Project

200 barrels of beer on the wall

The Barrel Project lives up to its name with no fewer than 200 barrels stacked up against the wall of this Victorian rail arch. The barrels are used to age the London Beer Factory’s progressive brews, as well as providing a striking backdrop for this cosy taproom on the Bermondsey Beer Mile. Across 24 taps, you can sample the various house beers on offer, accompanying your pints with tasty food from the kitchen. The venue hosts a diverse programme of events as well.

The Jolly Butchers

Traditional pub with wide range

Expanding on the traditional pub offer with a highly impressive range of ales, craft beers, ciders, lagers and stouts, Stokey’s The Jolly Butchers is a vibrant independent boozer that caters to even the most demanding beer aficionados. Thanks to its regular brewery features, you can often catch otherwise hard-to-find limited editions here, and the flavoursome Indian food coming out of the kitchen ensures you won’t go hungry.

The Understudy

Pre- or post-show crafts

Located at the National Theatre, The Understudy provides a highly convenient spot to grab a drink before or after a performance. The laidback pub with contemporary furnishings features a riverside terrace with splendid views across the Thames, and offers a diverse selection of craft beers in addition to wine and spirits. You can also order various beer snacks and sliders if you skipped the dinner part of "dinner and a show".

German Gymnasium

King's Cross Bavaria

Walking around King’s Cross St Pancras on a sunny day, it’s hard to miss the crowds of punters happily chugging heavy steins of proper bier on the terrace of the German Gymnasium. The Meister Bar in this Grade II listed building pours double pints while the kitchens provide currywursts, schnitzels and other German fare to complete the Bavarian experience. There’s also a lively space in the elegant interior for when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Beer Rebellion

Friendly garage pub

Beer Rebellion has serious bar-in-your-garage vibes, with the welcoming atmosphere to match. The small bar near Queens Road Station offers a varied assortment of local casks and kegs on its 16 craft beer lines, as well as a sunny outside terrace. If you start getting peckish in Peckham, you can pay a visit to one of the takeaway options in the vicinity.

Kill the Cat Brick Lane Kill the Cat Spitalfields
Kill the Cat Brick Lane
killthecat.co.uk
Kill the Cat Spitalfields
killthecat.co.uk
Kill the Cat Brick Lane Kill the Cat Spitalfields

For curious beer lovers

Stop at this award-winning bottleshop and bar while strolling along Brick Lane to grab a can or two from their selection of local and international craft brews. Skewing its curated stock towards bold and curious beer drinkers, Kill the Cat sources intriguing, lesser-known brews from around the globe. They also offer beer tastings. The Spitalfields branch also adds a small plates kitchen to the mix.

  • 43 Brick Ln, Shoreditch/Tower Hamlets 14 Market St, Shoreditch/Tower Hamlets/City of London
    Kill the Cat Brick Lane
    43 Brick Ln, Shoreditch/Tower Hamlets
    Kill the Cat Spitalfields
    14 Market St, Shoreditch/Tower Hamlets/City of London
  • Kill the Cat Brick Lane
    killthecat.co.uk
    Kill the Cat Spitalfields
    killthecat.co.uk
    Kill the Cat Brick Lane
    020-809 106 48
  • Kill the Cat Brick Lane Kill the Cat Spitalfields

Lowlander Grand Cafe

Doubling down on Belgian beer

If you’re a fiend for Belgian and Dutch brews, Lowlander Grand Cafe has the trappists, lambics and blondes to quench your thirst. A charmingly contemporary take on the grand cafés of continental Europe, the restaurant boasts an assortment of more than 100 beers from the Low Countries, complementing them with a menu of regional specialties such as mussels and waffles. The latter are also the main act of the bottomless weekend brunch.

The Southampton Arms

Championing local indie breweries

Part of the appeal of The Southampton Arms lies in its location, with its proximity to Hampstead Heath making it a popular choice for a pint after taking in the view from Parliament Hill. Its other draw, however, is that it's supposedly the only pub in the city dedicated to featuring only beers and ciders from small, independent UK breweries. The serious approach to indie brews has even won it a bunch of awards, so this might be just the place to find your new favourite brew.

Brewhouse & Kitchen Highbury Brewhouse & Kitchen Hoxton
Brewhouse & Kitchen Highbury
brewhouseandkitchen.com/venue/highbury
Brewhouse & Kitchen Hoxton
brewhouseandkitchen.com/venue/hoxton
Brewhouse & Kitchen Highbury Brewhouse & Kitchen Hoxton

In-house brews and beer-can chicken

At the comfy Brewhouse & Kitchen venues you can discover a vast range of craft brews, including beers on tap, in a modern space that brews beers right there on the premises. When it comes to food, expect reliable pub grub such as burgers and sandwiches, as well as the beer-can chicken – it's steamed over a can of the house APA.

  • 2A Corsica Street 397-400 Geffrye Street, Shoreditch
    Brewhouse & Kitchen Highbury
    2A Corsica Street
    Brewhouse & Kitchen Hoxton
    397-400 Geffrye Street, Shoreditch
  • Brewhouse & Kitchen Highbury
    brewhouseandkitchen.com/venue/highbury
    Brewhouse & Kitchen Hoxton
    brewhouseandkitchen.com/venue/hoxton
    Brewhouse & Kitchen Highbury
    020-722 610 26
    Brewhouse & Kitchen Hoxton
    020-386 189 20
  • Brewhouse & Kitchen Highbury Brewhouse & Kitchen Hoxton

Bierschenke

A Munich welcome

Relocating to Covent Garden after shutting down in Liverpool Street, the expansive Bierschenke beer hall maintains its Bavarian ambiance with vaulted ceilings and flagstone floors. The staff, clad in genuine Bavarian lederhosen, serve generous steins of Munich biers, wursts, schnitzels, and other hearty German specialities. The atmosphere gets especially spirited during Oktoberfest celebrations.

Blondies Brewery

Rock 'n' roll!

Located within the Patchworks complex in Leyton, Blondies Brewery is an offshoot of the iconic dive bar Blondies in Clapton. Serving multiple purposes, the Leyton site not only brews its own beer and operates as a taproom, but also houses a café with a well-lit front section. Ample outdoor seating makes it a great choice in warm weather, and they often host pop-up kitchens and other events.

The Fox

Kerbside beer station

With its craft beer bottle shop feel, The Fox will feel familiar to any craft beer aficionado. This corner pub in Shoreditch has fridges full of intriguing brews from around the world, as well as all the usual pub comforts – tasty food, live sports, and a convivial atmosphere. There's also an outdoor roof terrace for when you need a breather, and you can even book a private karaoke den.

BeerKat

Ealing bar and bottle shop

As the name suggests, it's all about beer at BeerKat. This is a buzzy local tap room and bottle shop in West London, with hundreds of bottled and canned beers available plus 12 tap lines. The finest brews are sourced from London, the UK, and around the world. This lively bar also puts on various events like live music, comedy, and life drawing.

The Crown

Craft beer in Greenwich

Located in Greenwich, The Crown is the area's only pub dedicated to craft beer. Visitors can taste a weekly-changing selection of beers from London-based brewers and sometimes makers from further afield. Classics like Guinness are also available. The pub serves tasty pizza, has lots of events and activities going on, and has a buzzy and welcoming vibe.

The Dovetail

Showcasing Belgian beer

You can get to grips with Belgian beer without leaving London thanks to The Dovetail. This well-established bar specialises in Belgian beers and also runs beer tasting evenings. Wine and hearty European dishes are on the menu too. This bustling bar in Clerkenwell is fuss-free but has plenty of quirks.

Small Beer

Drinks in Crouch End

Unrelated to The Small Beer Taproom, Small Beer in Crouch End is a local bar dedicated to showcasing craft beer. Drinkers will find beers from London as well as further afield, in addition to wine, cocktails, and pizza. This compact and cosy venue is bustling, dog-friendly, and stays open until the early hours every night.

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.