Best-of list · Neighbourhood Guide
The best bars in Hackney and Dalston London — from natural wine to Turkish late night. Our editors' picks for East London's most authentic neighbourhood.
The short answer
10 ranked rooms follow. How we picked is at the end of this guide.
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.