Join the rewards club for food lovers and unlock rewards

Best Shoreditch bars

Looking for somewhere brilliant to drink in the Shoreditch area? Take a look at our pick of the best Shoreditch bars, so you can be sure that you’ll be sipping with the capital’s coolest crowd. Scroll on for the best bars in Shoreditch, all in one manageable list.

Updated on 09 December 2019

In recent years this arty district of East London has become an increasingly trendy hotspot for young creatives and fashion conscious hipsters seeking a sip of some of the best cocktails London has to offer. Amidst the vintage clothing stores, craft coffee shops, edgy art galleries and quirky restaurants; Shoreditch’s eclectic bar scene is beginning to burgeon. With everything from immersive drinking experiences, musical theme nights, rooftop residencies and secret speakeasies - there’s a buzz about this part of town almost every night of the week. Its popularity doesn’t seem to be waning either, with new and exciting bars popping up left, right and centre – so to help you taste the top tipples this area has to offer, we have pulled together an exclusive hit list of the very best bars in Shoreditch you need to try asap.

So round up your family, friends, colleagues and co-workers and throw on your trendiest clothes. To make a full night of it start your evening lining your stomach in one of the best restaurants in Shoreditch, then sip and slurp your way through some of the finest boozers the heart of Hackney has to offer. Sophisticates will feel at home in the likes of the Nobu Hotel, Hoi Poloi, The Laughing Heart and Found, whilst hard core hipsters will no doubt love the quirkier vibes of Satan’s Whiskers, Old Street Records, Callooh Callay and The Cocktail Trading Company Brick Lane.

For more drinking inspiration, see our recommendations for the best bars in London. Every one of the bars and pubs in SquareMeal’s lists of 'London’s Best' have been tried and tested by critics and our own customers. Each SquareMeal listing features an independent review, as well as reviews from those who have visited, together with unique special offers such as free drinks and discounts.

The Cocktail Trading Company Brick Lane

The Cocktail Trading Company Brick Lane

68 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6GQ

After numerous pop-ups, the Cocktail Trading Company has finally taken up a permanent residency on trendy Brick Lane. Expect sophisticated cocktails dressed up with the most ridiculous and outlandish of garnishes.

Bars
Nightjar

Nightjar

129 City Road, Shoreditch, London, EC1V 1JB

Hailed for reviving the speakeasy concept, Nightjar launched to critical acclaim back in 2010 and is still just as hot ten years on. Cutting-edge drinks and live jazz are its signature trademarks.

£30 - £49
Bars
Ballie Ballerson

Ballie Ballerson

97-113 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3BS

For something totally out of the box this slightly mad kidult playground sees cocktails inspired by retro sweets served alongside three giant ball pits where guests can immerse themselves (quite literally) in some frivolous infantile fun.

£30 - £49
Bars
Happiness Forgets

Happiness Forgets

8-9 Hoxton Square, Shoreditch, London, N1 6NU

Happiness Forgets is a tiny basement bar lauded around the world for its outstanding cocktail list and devoted bar staff who will treat you like an old friend. Be sure to book ahead as it’s always busy.

Bars
Mikkeller

Mikkeller

2-4 Hackney Road, London, E2 7NS

Owned by ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ 80’s popstar Rick Astley, this tiny tavern is a must for beer enthusiasts. The list of draughts is overwhelmingly long but helpfully divided into distinct flavour profiles

Bars
Satan

Satan's Whiskers

343 Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 9RA

Satan’s Whiskers' devilish drinks list changes on the daily but always promises some innovative twists on traditional blends. The low-lit bar also houses a bizarre but impressive range of stuffed animals and skeletal structures.

Bars
Coupette

Coupette

423 Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 0AN

Laid-back neighbourhood hangout Coupette serves a French-influenced drinks list that’s big on Calvados and Normandy-style ciders. The exposed brickwork and hip-hop soundtrack lend to its urban-cool vibe.

£30 - £49
Modern European
Vegetarian
Vegan
Bars
Gastropub
French
Bull in a China Shop

Bull in a China Shop

196 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, London, E1 6LG

Bull in a China Shop is an Asian-influenced restaurant and bar specialising in Japanese whisky. The idiosyncratic décor includes an assortment of bizarre trinkets and artefacts that add to its quirky charm.

£30 - £49
Bars
Black Rock

Black Rock

9 Christopher Street, London, EC2A 2BS

Black Rock is an award-winning whisky bar serving over 250 malts and blends. It’s perhaps best known for its oak trunk, glass-topped table centrepiece with two channels down the middle dispensing their signature serves.

Bars
Sager + Wilde Wine Bar

Sager + Wilde Wine Bar

193 Hackney Road, Hoxton, London, E2 8JL

Sager + Wilde has become synonymous with quality wines from lesser-known vineyards. The oenophile owners are constantly updating the wine list to keep regulars coming back to try their latest finds from biodynamic growers across the globe.

£30 - £49
British
Wine Bars
Boundary Rooftop Bar & Grill

Boundary Rooftop Bar & Grill

2-4 Boundary Street, Shoreditch, London, E2 7DD

Shoreditch is awash with rooftop drinking spots to choose from but there’s something about Boundary that sets it apart from the rest. Perhaps it’s the leafy pergola and abundant garden that lend it its laid-back, languorous atmosphere.

£30 - £49
Modern European
Bars
The Sun Tavern

The Sun Tavern

441 Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 0AN

The shabby chic décor of The Sun Tavern gives this pub a combined feel of traditional boozer and contemporary bar. Those in the know come for the unconventional cocktail list which never fails to provide some lovely surprises.

Bars
Nelsons Head

Nelsons Head

32 Horatio Street , London, E2 7SB

The Nelson’s is a no-frills boozer popular with the LDBTQ+ community owning to its welcoming, inclusive and fun atmosphere. Come for a craft beer and cheese toastie and you won’t be disappointed.

Pubs
Callooh Callay

Callooh Callay

65 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3AY

The wizards behind Callooh Callay have devised a list of pops and potions inspired by the Victorian nonsense poems of Lewis Carroll. Drinks are complemented by quirky interiors – ideal for those seeking an escape from the ordinary.

Bars
Found

Found

5a Ravey Street, London, EC2A 4QW

Intimate, no-nonsense style bar Found is well worth the squeeze for its ever-changing seasonal cocktail list and gimmick-free approach to drinking. This is the kind of joint where bartenders go on their day off.

Bars

Looking for something to eat post-pub (or bar)? You might like our round up of the best late night restaurants the capital has to offer

Join SquareMeal Rewards

Collect points, worth at least £1, every time you book online and dine at a participating restaurant.

Start Collecting Points

Already a member? Sign in