The Black Eel is a vibrant pub and social hub from the team behind Exale Brewing, housed in iconic Grade II-listed Cooke’s Pie & Mash Shop on Kingsland Road. this striking venue blends East End heritage with modern flair, offering locals a fresh take on the traditional pub experience.
Inside, the 250-cover space is a masterclass in adaptive reuse, where original Victorian features meet playful, community-led design. Expect a lively main bar, private karaoke room, darts and shuffleboard zones, and flexible lounge areas perfect for group bookings or casual hangs. Outside, one of East London’s largest hidden beer gardens awaits, complete with leafy seating nooks, a pétanque court and covered spaces for year-round enjoyment.
The kitchen is helmed by Billy Fisher, formerly of Lagom and The Hawke Pub, whose new project Riley’s brings bold, seasonal cooking to the table. Dishes are comforting yet confident: steamed mussels with red onion, pork ribs with pickles and hot honey, and marinated chestnut mushrooms with garlic and lemon. Desserts include a Basque cheesecake with toffee sauce and an autumnal Eton Mess. Sundays are all about roasts, with Norfolk pork belly, beef sirloin or celeriac with hazelnut crumb, served alongside organic British veg and rich gravy.
Drinks are led by Exale Brewing’s signature hazy IPAs and fruited sours, complemented by craft beers, natural wines, seasonal cocktails and low/no alcohol options.
Following the success of Exale Tap, Three Colts Tavern and William The Fourth, The Black Eel marks the brewery’s fourth venue – a confident evolution of the East London pub, designed for those who want more from their local.