TravMonkey

Craft Beer Pub Crawl In East London (Bethnal Green)

If you’re looking to sample the craft beer scene in the UK’s capital, take a look at my craft beer pub crawl in East London for some inspiration. This pub crawl takes it seven different pubs, bars, bottle shops and breweries in Bethnal Green.

The craft beer scene has exploded in London in recent years with micro-breweries popping up all over the capital and a 24% rise in new brewers. Pubs have also been changing at a rapid rate, offering much more interesting styles of beer like pale ales, porters, stouts, wheat, milds and pilsners, whilst in the most part attempting to retain their old British pub feel.

Nearest Tube
Bethnal Green (Central Line)

Duration
Half A Day

How To Use This Itinerary
You can use the map above to find out where the pubs are and also see a street view using the street view button. Scrolling down you can click on the name of the pub and it will navigate to the pub on the map.

I’d love to hear your suggestions or additions for this East End pub crawls so do leave them in the comments at the bottom.

We took a drizzly Saturday afternoon to stagger around some of the finest craft beer spots in Bethnal Green, East London. Here’s were we went.

7 The Sun Tavern

A revamped and gentrified old 1850’s East End boozer now serving cocktails, 40 brands of Irish spirits and whiskey along with a brilliant selection of craft beer. The interior of this old pub is industrial with stripped back brickwork, great attention to detail and is dimly lit, it’s perfect for a few afternoon beers or evening cocktails. The bartenders are friendly and attentive too. If you think it feels a little familiar, it could be because it’s own by the creators of the Spitalfields cocktail bar, the Discount Suit Company.

Website: The Sun Tavern

6 Mother Kelly’s Bottle Shop and Tap Room

Under the railway arches in Bethnal Green you’ll find a huge find selection of bottled beers in a row of fridges lining the wall of Mother Kelly’s Bottle Shop and Tap Room. At one end of the space is the unassuming bar with a very generous selection of craft beers and to your right is a wall covered in graffiti, there are benches and barrels if you’re stopping by to sample the beers.

Website: Mother Kellys

5 Redchurch Brewery

Head to the tap room of the Redchurch Brewery to taste what this mini brewery has on offer. With super friendly staff a selection of varying brews, sometimes hosting live music, it’s a nice spot tucked away upstairs under the railway arches. If you’re lucky, you might spot the resident brewery cat hiding amongst the recycled wooden crate tables. It even has a dart board! Great spot to whittle away a rainy afternoon in East London.

Website: Redchurch Brewery

4 Sebright Arms

Down a narrow passage off Hackney Road you’ll stumble across a shady old school looking boozer, the Sebright Arms. Full of East End charm but packed with craft beer and ales, this pub is a great stop off to refuel. Try their amazing beef brisket bun with BBQ sauce (£8.50) by resident street food Bunsmiths, the best bit of street food I’ve tried for a while.

Downstairs is a music venue plus a second bar that hosts gigs most nights of the week. It’s a bit of an East End hipster spot, the bar staff are friendly enough though and it’s a decent place to pop in for a couple for brisk pints.

Website: Sebright Arms
Twitter: @sebrightarms

3 Marksman

Recently revamped old East End boozer turned into posh dining room upstairs with preserved old pub downstairs. We stopped by for a quick pint and to admire the interior. At first glance, it still has that local pub feel with sticky tables, beer mats, bar stools, wooden walls and window frames. The Marksman still attracts a group of old regulars camped at one end of the bar, seemingly undeterred by the gentrification of their favourite boozer.

2 The Birdcage

Formally known for its weekend karaoke evenings, the Birdhouse is now owned by the Draft House but still manages to retain that local charm despite a refit. You’ll find a decent selection of ales and craft beers in a pretty casual and laid back environment. Not somewhere to stop for a proper meal but certainly worth a pint or two.

Website: Draft House – The Birdcage

1 The King’s Arms

A bit of a hipster haunt with massive glass windows, plenty of seating and a superb selection of craft beer. The Kings Arms is tucked away just off Bethnal Green Road. With friendly, knowledgable bar staff and plenty of tasters, it’s a great spot for beer lovers. In hindsight, probably a decent place to start a pub crawl too.

Website: The Kings Arms
Twitter: @kingsarmse2

What do you think of my craft beer pub crawl in East London? Have you been to any of these pubs or have you got an even better recommendation for East London or Bethnal Green?

I’d love to hear about them in the comments!