The 13 best venues in East London

Art Deco is a term venues throw around a lot, especially in East London. Proprietors will thrift a gold-lined mirror from Dalston Waste, hang it askew from their backbar and rename the whole joint ‘Gatsby’s’.

Fontaine’s takes things a little more seriously, just look at it. Gorgeous shell sofas, chandeliers and beautiful drinks in coupes are all standard, with the whole place having that dimly lit, sultry summer evening vibe that makes a great bar.

They also do classic film nights (Sunset Boulevard is coming up) and £6 cocktails from 6pm to 8pm every weekend.

E3 Vegan is a cafe and deli, and home to the only vegan fine dining supper club in the UK. This cool East End venue is located on iconic Roman Road and is one of our top picks for a truly unique top-tier vegan fine dining experience.

Inside the intimate space is minimal and modern decorated with well-placed candles and beautifully dressed tables, and when the weather is lovely the back garden is one of the best spots in the East End, mirroring its neighbour Mile End Park in lushness and greenery.

Just a ten-minute bus journey from Liverpool Street station, and a short distance from both Bethnal Green and Mile End tubes, a meal at E3 Vegan gets your team out of the concrete jungle and closer to the green spaces of the East End, and offers an equally green and exquisite menu to experience that you won't find anywhere else in London.

Sure, The City likes to show off its rooftop bars and skyscraper views, but really who cares about being able to see another glass and steel abomination that no one can afford to live in? Those in the know head out of Zone 1.

Dalston Roofpark is an example of a great rooftop bar that doesn't feel like it was made with Ayan Rand in mind. Located among the Victorian homes of Hackney, this is a great place to get you and a few friends together, invest in a bucket of beer and see the day fade beyond the horizon. This being East London, you can be sure to expect DJs creating a vibe in the bar most days, with seasonal events like World CupGames and Oktoberfest also appearing on the calendar.

There is also an indoor blank canvas space, Fitzroy House, that is available for private hire. This space has integrated audio and visual facilities – meaning any event can be given that extra flourish.

Towering over the recently rejuvenated area of Stratford, this fittingly titled hotel is nothing if not strikingly aesthetic.

Clean lines, dulled palettes and a stone fireplace to make even the most egregious bond villains envious, The Stratford stands as a testament to the architectural flair of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

The hotel's mezzanine bar is located on the 42nd floor of the venue and is capable of catering to 150 guests. With a menu featuring cocktails and spirits gleaned from the dimly lit bars of Japan, Scotland and America, sipping a drink here is an experience unto itself.

Private hire is available, just make sure to wear your sharpest fit.

Located on Brick Lane, All Star Lanes Shoreditch is the home of luxe bowling, fine cocktails, delicious food and chilled beer. Offering bowling lanes, karaoke booths, lounge areas, restaurants and a bar, this East London venue is the epitome of an American-style diner.

All Star Lanes Shoreditch definitely knows how to throw a party as it has fun private spaces to cater to you and your mates. The Penthouse private room has three extra bowling lanes and is up for hire for a full night of fun bowling and non-stop entertainment for up to 130 guests.

Before we forget the best part – the karaoke booths also offer private singing slots and can fit up to 14 guests at once.

Right on the waterfront at Wood Wharf is where you’ll find Hawksmoor’s latest cocktail bar and restaurant offering, The Lowback Bar. Riding the wave as the restaurant experts, comes what they’ve described as being their “most ambitious bar yet”.

Expect style and substance, complete with leather booths to slide into, velvet stools for your best conversations, a mix of overhead and table lighting and a marble bar to order your first and second round of cocktails.

Come for the reputation, stay for the drinks and food. Try Hawksmoor classic cocktails or newer creations and be transported to Saint-Tropez, Japan or Italy.

Fittingly named after a vehicle that guides boats, can The Lowback Bar guide you to a great night out? We think so.

Offering a tropical retro vibe, the Market Bar is a quirky shack towards the end of the Ridley Road Market.

A real East London treasure, this place offers Italian dishes along with tropical cocktails. Everything from the interiors, colours, and the plant pots evoke a festive, summery vibe – it’s also a plus that you can get anything from standard pint to a ginger mojito at the bar.

Known for having no guest lists and no bookings for less than 15 people, you might want to stop by for a big night. Yummy meatballs included.

Nestled in the heart of Homerton, this 1950s venue was once a factory loading bay and is now an industrial-style event space. Hatch has that homely feeling that is often hard to capture – so it’s no wonder it's one of the top wedding venues in the area.

You’ll be welcomed by Hatch’s beautiful entrance, followed by a mezzanine area, a bar and a kitchen.

While there is enough space for around 52 people for a seated meal, the venue also has a capacity of 80 for standing guests.

The open plan, high ceiling and windowed front wall make Hatch the perfect spot for an intimate wedding with loved ones.

Next time you’re looking for a venue that suits all your needs, this Hackney studio is a good shout.

With white walls, plants, furniture and a fully-equipped kitchen, Cocina is great for any small projects you might have.

The large windows along with a partial glass ceiling allow an ample amount of natural light to illuminate the area. Wait for the golden hour glow for the magic to happen.

Look no further if you’re searching for a space to host a small party or photo shoot. Cocina also comes with in-house catering. Score.

Famously known for hosting some of the city’s most beautiful weddings, Clapton Country Club Ltd is a treasure box of aesthetic recycled furniture and decor.

Clapton Country Club Ltd features amazing outdoor and indoor spaces, making it a go-to choice for both large and intimate wedding celebrations.

While the outside space is a delightfully decorated deck area (try saying that three times) filled with beautiful plants, the inside features exposed brick walls and twinkly lights which adds to the rustic feel of the space. The Department of Life is located across the courtyard and is available for rental along with the main building.

Nestled on a quiet street in East London, Shoreditch Townhouse has been a constant in the area since 1911.

An Edwardian venue, Shoreditch Townhouse knows very well that all a person wants is to feel at home. Open for private hire all seven days of the week, this quaint little space is a good choice for a private party, reunion or hen party. While the walls are covered with paintings, some from many many years back, the entire venue is bathed in mellow lights, leather sofas and wooden floors.

While the basement and the private room (named Mr Stendhals) is up for private hire, drop them a line about full venue hire if your group is large. Giving a nod to the past while being firmly placed in the present, Shoreditch Townhouse is a go-to for many intimate parties.

Old Street Records is the home to fantastic live music, delicious dishes and creative cocktails.

Visitors to Old Street Records have access to a wide selection of drinks, including handcrafted cocktails, and authentic Italian pizzas to enjoy while listening to music. Head down to the basement for jazz nights and live music that’ll have you dancing the night away.

This space is up for private hire and has a standing capacity of 120 and a seated capacity of 80 guests. With their happy hour running from 5 to 8pm every day and offering 2 for 1 drinks, we wouldn’t miss out to spend an evening in this music hotspot.

This one’s for the East Side folks.

Tobacco Dock venue offers multiplex spaces for private and corporate hires in East London.

Featuring a wide range of industrial and versatile spaces, large and small events are welcome. From Great Gallery to North Dock or even to Quayside Bar, there is plenty to choose from, allowing lots of opportunities to find a suitable space for you and your requirements. Spaces can be hired together or separately, to further ensure any occasion is a success.

Rich with timber infrastructure and barreled brick ceilings, as well as high-quality technological systems, this venue is certainly a blank canvas, a stylish one too.

With an in-house catering team alongside all of this, as well as Anna Valley audio and visual specialists, your next visit can be truly unique, with all the facilities to ensure your event runs seamlessly.