The best pubs in Shoreditch: from the Bricklayers Arms to the Old Blue Last

Shoreditch has been a popular going out spot for decades, but it’s still one of the city's most divisive places.

These days, some might associate it with city boys and hipster clichés more than trendy nightlife and cutting-edge cool, but Shoreditch still has plenty to offer.

Look a bit closer and you’ll find lots to like, not least a great selection of pubs that cater to just about every crowd imaginable.

The Crown and Shuttle

226 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6PJ​; crownandsuttle.com

The Crown and Shuttle is a regular fixture for a wide selection of Shoreditch punters, and one of the busiest pubs in the whole area. The large beer garden and wide selection of craft ales make it popular with a wide range of East London punters, and it works just as well for a relaxed afternoon drink as a buzzing Saturday night out.

The Artillery Arms

102 Bunhill Row, EC1Y 8ND;​ artillery-arms.co.uk

Fullers run this traditional pub, just a short walk from Old Street. The dark wood panelling and classic furnishings give this place the air of a smart old London boozer, with a relaxing atmosphere. The food is far better than your standard pub grub too, but it’s also just a nice spot for a quiet drink in a very crowded part of town.

The Macbeth

70 Hoxton Street, N1 6LP;​ themacbeth.co.uk

The Macbeth might put on a selection of club nights and live music events, but at its heart this place is an old pub. Found on Hoxton Square, the venue – complete with a roof terrace - has re-established itself as one of the best venues in the area over recent years, but never lost its identity as an old-fashioned boozer.

Howl At The Moon

178 Hoxton Street, N1 5LH​; hoxtonpub.com

Hoxton Street’s Howl At The Moon is an Irish-themed corner pub with a huge selection of beer and craft ales on tap. The pub offers a simple menu, but it’s the beer selection that pulls in the crowds. DJ nights make it a buzzy place to spend Friday and Saturday nights, too.

The Red Lion

41 Hoxton Street, N1 6NH; redlionhoxton.co.uk

The Red Lion on Hoxton Street is a good place to head before moving out to the clubs, especially as this place shuts up at 11pm. It’s a pleasingly unfussy venue, and feels like a well-used and well-loved space, which only adds to the charm. It also offers one of the best roof terraces you’ll find in Shoreditch, firing up a BBQ in the summer.

The Bricklayers Arms

63 Charlotte Road, EC2A 3PE​

The Bricklayers was one of the key venues during the first wave of Shoreditch’s hipster culture in the late 90s. Despite this association, this place still has the feel of a proper old-school East London alehouse. Walk in today, and you’ll find a nice quiet pub that’s perfect for a relaxed pint or three.

The Old Blue Last

38 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3ES;​ theoldbluelast.com

Yes, it’s a hipsters paradise, and there are probably more bearded, flat white-drinking graphic designers per square-foot here than almost anywhere else in London, but the Old Blue Last is worth your time. Walk through the front doors, past the grand exterior, and you’ll find a bar stocked with premium lagers, and a big selection of American craft ales. The venue also puts on a reliably good selection of free gigs upstairs throughout the week.

The Pride of Spitalfields

3 Heneage Street, E1 5LJ​

This unpretentious pub in E1 serves a well maintained selection beers out of a charmingly small bar, and can be found down a cobbled street just off Brick Lane. With carpeted floors, a piano in the corner and a reliable assortment of regulars, it’s a pub full of character and rough-around-the-edges appeal.

The Draft House

Mews Unit, The Bower, 211 Old Street, EC1V 9NR; drafthouse.co.uk

This sleek new hangout can found within the new Bower development in Old Street. It’s split over two levels, with the lower floor featuring industrial-themed décor, while upstairs has a comfier and slightly more relaxed feel. Specialising in craft ales, and with an interesting menu also on offer, this place is a great meet-up point for punters in Shoreditch.

The Water Poet

9-11 Folgate Street, E1 6BX;​ waterpoet.co.uk

The Water Poet in Spitalfields offers pretty much everything you’d want from a pub. There’s a good selection of well-maintained beers as well as large seating areas, comfy sofas, pool tables, nice pub grub and an expansive beer garden. There’s even a basement cinema which puts on special screenings from time to time. A bit of an all-rounder.