“Get out of my pub,” you cry, friends asking you to stop quoting EastEnders just because you’re at a pub in Walthamstow. But who can help it?

East London is inherently connected to the boozer; the area and pubs are intertwined, with history, with stories, with a whole load of 10/10 places for a pint. With that, it becomes a staple in the weekly routines of us Londoners, from after-work drinks to another weekend of back-to-back birthday celebrations, the pub is the only option for it.

And you never need to venture far to find a good one, especially when East. This is a round-up of our favourite pubs in East London right now.

The Culpeper

The best pubs lie on the corner of a street. I may or may not have ended up searching why most pubs are found in this spot. I can’t provide you with an answer, but I can give you: The Culpeper. At the meeting of two roads in Spitalfields, this boozer is perfect for beers from local breweries, secret rooftop views, and Comté cheese croquettes.

The Culpeper pub is part of a larger family, and it even has its own tiny farm in South London’s Deptford, growing produce to serve at all of its locations. Sustainable Queen.

Spitalfields, E1 | theculpeper.com

The Royal Oak

Bang, smack in the centre of Colombia Road sits The Royal Oak, a pub with good beers on tap, good cocktails, and a wine list for all tastes.

It’s the ideal spot to duck away from the flower market crowds to grab a quiet snack. Specialising in lunchtime sandos, the shredded lamb shoulder, minted crème fraiche, and watercress sandwich is juicy and tender, and The Royal Oak does a solid take on the classic fish finger sandwich to enjoy.

Its place in East End history has even been solidified by TV appearances, including being used as a location in a film about the Kray twins and in the ’90s sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart.

Bethnal Green, E2 | royaloakbethnalgreen.co.uk

The Pembury Tavern

Another site with history, The Pembury Tavern has had its taps pouring since 1856. The Hackney spot is home to The Five Points Brewing Company and ACE Pizza, because a pint and a slice go together like boozers and East London.

Five Points is brewed in Hackney, and its core range includes the Railway Porter, a robust London-style porter, the JUPA, AKA the Juicy Pale Ale, the Five Points Best, with notes of caramel and biscuit, and more brews for you to enjoy.

And for pizza, well, ACE don’t mess around. Go sweet and get the Honey Pie, with spicy salami, fior di latte, fennel seeds, chilli honey, guindilla chillies, and gran moravia, and don’t forget ACE’s “crack sauce” for crust dipping.

Hackney, E8 | pemburytavern.co.uk

Old Kings Head

Another local East London corner blessed with a good boozer. HeadBox’s local, find us here ’til close on Thursdays, enjoying after-work drinks of pints in plastic cups and definitely not talking about work.

Workers of the nearby offices spill out onto the street, with a low hum of conversation and laughter emanating from this Shoreditch spot.

It’s an old man pub in the best way, promises to be the friendliest pub in the area, and it’s just invested in a disco light. We see you, Old Kings Head.

Shoreditch, E2 | oldkingshead.london

People’s Park Tavern

Pub gardens often make the pub, taking it up a notch in estimations, bringing it to front of mind when someone asks for a recommendation. East London’s People’s Park Tavern is one of these. Good pub, better beer garden.

And it does pub grub well, specialising in BBQ snacks, the menu has something for everyone. From burnt ends for meat eaters to corn ribs and vegan dawgs for plant lovers.

It even celebrates the best day of the month, every month, payday weekend. The pub’s Weekender celebrations every last Saturday will see you blowing your budget before rent comes out of your account. But it will be worth it for DJs, drinks deals, and flowing bar snacks. And it’s free entry. That’s on saving money.

Hackney, E9 | peoplesparktavern.pub

The Dove

Broadway Market is a lovely spot for Sunday strolling, and it wouldn’t be complete without popping into a pub. And The Dove is my go-to when I’m in the area. It’s family-run, and you really feel that in its heart when you stop by.

Dimly lit, with small nooks to plant yourself to sip away, or take a pew at one of the benches that line the perimeter of the pub outside. Choose over 101 bottled beers on The Dove’s menu, from classics to rare finds, try a wine from around the world, or check out the regularly changing guest ales.

Broadway Market, E8 | dovepubs.com

Clapton Hart

Another local with history, the Clapton Hart dates back to the 18th century, with lots of the original features still intact. It has everything you want from a local, too; there are mismatched chairs, leather sofas that look so inviting, and miscellaneous artwork hanging on the wall.

It also has a banging Sunday roast menu (including sides of cauli cheese and sticky toffee pud for dessert), and the Clapton Hart’s wine list features glasses of red, white, and rosé from just £5, making it a great spot for an affordable vino.

Clapton, E5 | claptonhart.com

The Nags Head

The Nags Head is pink and green, I hate to be that girlie, but what a combo. It’s cute, and therefore it’s on this list. But with cuteness comes substance, and a huge beer garden for whatever the weather.

It hosts regular wine tasting nights, focusing on everything from English sparkling wines to interesting Slovakian wines. Be quick to book, though, they’re always a sellout.

You can even take it a step further in your commitment to your fave pub by buying some merch, complete with “I’m barred from The Nags Head” scrawled on the back. It’s giving Bad B.

Walthamstow, E17 | nagsheadwalthamstow.co.uk

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