Best Dalston Bars

• Bootyard, Abbot Street, E8 3DP

A must-visit for beer enthusiasts, 40FT Brewery can be found on Abbot Street. They offer a wide variety of carefully curated beers, from refreshing lagers to hearty stouts, catering to a wide range of tastes. These can be enjoyed both on-site and to take away, but we recommend relaxing with a pint on the sunny terrace.

They focus on sustainability, sourcing local ingredients where possible. Community is also very important to the owners, so they often host tastings, brewery tours and other events, inviting guests to witness the process and try out their top-notch tipples.

• 117 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB

Dubbed East London's mothership of drag, Dalston Superstore is open every Saturday and Sunday - providing their infamous hangover cures of drag brunches. Think the finest drag queens like Sharon Le Grand, Yshee Black, A Man to Pet, and more as hosts across daytime pop-up performances.

Tuck into everything from hoisin duck waffles to loaded veggie fries or avocado on toast while you watch, inspired by American diners. Of course, there are plenty of cocktails to wash it all down too.

Parasol in Dalston is a subterranean cocktail bar with a bold 1980s New York disco vibe, created by hospitality veterans Andy Kerr and Tom Gibson - known for cult venues like Discount Suit Company, The Sun Tavern, Ruby's and Corrochio's. The drinks menu features inventive cocktails crafted with house-made tinctures and unexpected ingredients, alongside a curated wine list from Provisions Wine & Cheese and interiors inspired by Moroccan and Mexican influences using reclaimed materials.

With regular DJ sets, cosy booths, and a laid-back party atmosphere, Parasol offers a unique blend of cocktail lab precision and late-night energy, making it a must-visit for East London nightlife lovers.

• 451 Queensbridge Road, E8 3AS

When it comes to the nitty, fun and gritty of live music, The Victoria is up where with some of the best of them. Not only a prime indie music space, The Victoria is ever a bustling pub known for their affordable pints, classic interiors and top pub grub.

Expect a lineup of cracking performances, or head down earlier in the day for a quiet pint or two. Marvel at the gorgeous 50s-style bar island, and be sure to check out their food menu - we're talking gourmet burgers, sourdough pizzas and classic or vegan hotdogs.

• 99 Dalston Lane, E8 1NH

Three Compasses is a charming pub on Dalston Lane that doesn't conform to what you'd typically expect from a popular bar in zone two. It isn't a super-chic hipster parade with a microbrewery and a room for stroking cats; it takes a much more simple approach - focusing on great food and drink while offering a plethora of board games, and boasts some of the friendliest bar folk around. 

They serve the very best local craft beers, as well as some of the best burger pop-ups in the city. Plus, you can take part in quizzes, watch live sports and party to live DJs, all under one roof.

• 95 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB

Little sister to Dalston Superstore and Voodoo Ray's, come to this camp paradise for the ultimate kitsch night out. Drag queens lead the night as you take to the stage, belting amazing songs and aided by special effects, and it's also one of the best cocktail bars Dalston has to offer.

They host drag karaoke parties every single Friday and Saturday, as well as cabaret and comedy shows on Thursdays. The LGBTQ+-friendly bar also promises £10 cocktails, as well as tasty pizzas to keep you fuelled throughout the night.

When it comes to East London cool, Dalston's got the lot. Think microbrewery, rooftop terrace and seats that look stripped from a Routemaster bus. The bar's got you covered for local IPAs by the schooner load, as well as all kinds of small batch tipples.

Food comes in the form of Dulwich Pantry pies, Dalston quiches and Dusty Knuckle sourdough sandwiches packed with everything from ham hock and Emmental to halloumi and hot honey.

• 428 Kingsland Road, E8 4AA

A cosy, intimate bar along Kingsland Road, Pamela is a chic, minimalist cocktail bar that's decked out in rustic wooden furnishings, a copper-topped bar and metal stools, with a few streetside tables available too. 

The drinks are the real appeal here, with a whole load of creative concoctions to choose from. We recommend the Beetdown: beetroot-infused gin mixed with lemon, elderflower and soda.

From premium wines and craft beers to chilled sparkling waters, there's a drink to pair with every flavour-packed plate at RAO's Bar and Restaurant, whether it's malbhar fish curry, chicken tikka, or spicy Indo-Chinese vegetables.

The urban-chic interior, warm lighting, and friendly staff create a welcoming, social atmosphere ideal for catching up with friends, enjoying post-work drinks, or spending a weekend night in Hackney. 

• 18 - 22 Ashwin Street, Dalston, E8 3DL

A jazz bar in Dalston that acts both as a drinks lounge and event space, there's plenty to be discovered at Cafe OTO. The interiors feature mismatched tables, comfy sofas and helves full of wine, as well as a fully-stocked bar in the centre.

They host regular events here, from jazz bands to saxophonists and incredible singers. The all-day venue is also child and pet friendly, open from 9am to 5pm every single day.

• 321 Kingsland Road, E8 4DL

Established in 2015, Map Maison has earned quite a name for itself over the last decade. This cool cocktail bar serves a wide range of spirits, with a particular focus on premium whisky, gin and rum - including one of the largest selections of Japanese Whisky in Europe.

Expect gorgeous interiors, filled with plush red velvet booths and white marble tables. Their cocktail masterclasses are a popular choice of night out, and they even serve a tapas-style afternoon tea too. As for the food menu, their all-day offering features pulled pork burgers, grilled chicken skewers vegetable gyoza and more.

• 378 Kingsland Road, E8 4AA

Head to Kingsland Road for a bit of tequila heaven in the form of Hacha, a cosy agaveria whipping up the finest tipples using the likes of mezcal and more. It's an award-winning, pretty space, complete with leafy trees and bamboo high chairs offering a welcome escape from the bustle of London.

Here you can sip on bespoke tipples like the Red Alert, made with hibiscus and yuzu, or This Is What I Mean, featuring chocolate bitters and orange juice. Their agave spirits are forever changing so you'll always be in for surprise. Hungry? Feast on Mexican nibbles courtesy of Tigre Tacos.

• 129 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB

Following on from their success in Clapham, Del74 became a Dalston stalwart for all your taco and margarita needs. This late-night location not only has these Mexican-inspired tipples with flavours like berries and classic, but their food is available until 11pm too.

They serve up tasty tacos filled with everything from smokey chipotle jackfruit to homemade chorizo or pulled free-range pork. You can even secure all-you-can-eat tacos for the table at just £22 per person, promising an hour of endless eats.

• 470 Kingsland Road, E8 4AE

Looking for a Dalston jazz bar? Named after the iconic album from Theolonious Monk, Brilliant Corners offers just that. This trendy spot is open throughout the week, promising a regular lineup of live jazz music, as well as guest DJs playing until late.

It's not just music on offer here though, as their Japanese menu is equally enticing. Indulge in the likes of soft shell crab maki, salmon tataki and avocado maki, washed down with cocktails or wine.

• 510b Kingsland Road, E8 4AE

Open Wednesday to Sunday, Three Sheets is an award-winning cocktail bar brought to you by the Venning brothers. Fronting bare brick walls, white marble tables and a relaxed atmosphere, this intimate spot is perfect for date night.

There are nine signature cocktails on offer, from the apricot-flavoured Kashmir old fashioned to a salted coffee Cafe Tatin. They also offer mocktails, available on request.

• 17-19 Dalston Lane, E8 3DF

Located near Dalston Junction station, Farr's School of Dancing is decked out with exposed brick, cinema seating and vintage frames - taking its name from a 1930's dance school that used to be on the site. Along with its vintage feel, it offers a wide range of cocktails in its chic basement space.

The majority of their drinks are sourced from local breweries, promising some of the finest tipples around. They also host live music, DJ sets, film screenings and more on a regular basis, so you won't be short of entertainment either.