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Spitalfields is the part of East London that houses some of the best food and things to do in all of London. It’s no surprise that Spitalfields’s bars are some of the best in the city, and you can expect a great, local experience wherever you go.
We’ve put together this list of the bars in Spitalfields that we know will impress – and our number one on the list is hidden away (you need to know where to look). There is one bar that we would have loved to include (Milroys of Spitalfields) but, unfortunately, it has closed down (for now…) But such is the nature of Spitalfields: the best come and go, so you need to stay up to date with the latest.
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5. The Culpeper
Named after the famous 17th-century English biologist and herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, the Culpeper is a trusted local bar and restaurant that is guaranteed for good vibes and an amazing selection of cocktails and wines. It also happens to have one of the best views of the City of London from its rooftop that no one knows about (move over The Shard).
Whether you want to sit at the bar on the ground level or the bar on the rooftop level, you’ll have an excellent selection available to enjoy. Our choice is the beautiful rooftop greenhouse which hosts the rooftop bar. It’s amazing for a drink – even if the weather is dreary (it’s so calming to watch the rain fall along the glass).
One of the things that we love about the Culpeper is that everything they grow, they harvest; and everything they harvest, they serve in their dishes. Something from the garden will end up in your drink, and the freshness makes all the difference. The rooftop bar really is one of the best bars in Spitalfields.
4. The Merchant & Weaver
London seems to have developed an unfortunate habit of filling its hospitality spaces with chains. At the Merchant & Weaver, you get nothing but local. They serve an amazing selection of cocktails and drinks with food to complement (notice that the drinks complement the food here, not the other way around) (It’s one of the best bars in Spitalfields for a reason).
But we need to stress that their food is good, too; we just love their drinks (and there are so many amazing restaurants in Spitalfields, including restaurants for vegans).
There is also a small outside area which connects to Spitalfields Market if you want to be right in the heart of the hustle and bustle. You can even take advantage of their excellent happy hour between 4 pm and 6 pm on the weekdays (happy hour makes drinks taste better), and they do two cocktails for £15 every single day for their cocktails of the month.
This is a very welcome addition to the neighborhood. They also do a delicious lunchtime deal during the week with some great taco options.
3. Grapeshots
It’s easy to walk by Grapeshots on Artillery Passage which is one of the most beautiful laneways in the area. This wine bar has got the two things that really matter in a bar right: an incredible selection of the tipple of choice (here, it’s wine), and staff that know how you interpret your preferences and suggest fine choices.
The lighting is dim and the wooden walls are rustic, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere for when the weather is cold. And when it’s warmer outside, take your drink outside into the hustle and bustle of Artillery Passage.
2. SAKE COLLECTIVE
We love SAKE COLLECTIVE for its wide selection of Japanese sakes and charming ambience. It’s somehow a mix of a shop, a bar and a museum. When you pull up a seat at the small bar, the attentive team is primed to show you the vast world of sake (sake is a lot more than hot and cold). And then you get to buy those sakes that you fell in love with in beautiful bottles.
They host regular gin and sake tasting experiences which we think is one of the most unique things to do in London. We learned so much about just how refined rice has to be to qualify for certain sake quality levels. This is the date night experience that you’ve been looking for.
We also loved that SAKE COLLECTIVE knows that the majority of us aren’t as familiar with sake. Let the staff tell you about the origins of sake, how to drink it, and how to serve it, and, of course, how to experience it. SAKE COLLECTIVE has earned its spot as one of the best bars in Spitalfields.
I truly believe that, once your eyes are opened to the world of sake, you might just find yourself choosing a bottle of sake over a bottle of wine at a restaurant. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, SAKE COLLECTIVE will treat you to umami flavors that you’ll want to tell the world about.
1. Discount Suit Company
Discount Suit Company just oozes everything it means to be East London cool. From the shabby, hidden entrance on Wentworth Street, to the speakeasy-style décor, to the unpretentious attitude of the staff – and, of course, the skilfully crafted cocktails – Discount Suit Company is the no-brainer choice for the best bar in Spitalfields.
The bar is entirely underground, and they’ve respected this with the low-lit style to create a feeling of seclusion and intimacy. The bar takes its name from the former life of the space as a tailor shop, and you can still see remnants of the original hardware and finishes of the tailor.
Local tip: Discount Suit Company has earned itself a reputation (which it deserves) so make sure you make a reservation in advance.
The small selection of cocktails is sophisticated, balanced and incredibly considered in taste and presentation. But in my opinion what really makes Discount Suit Company stand out is that the bartenders. They really put the tend back into bartending – they care to make sure you find a cocktail that you love, and will work with you to help you get there.
Best pub: The Pride of Spitalfields
The name really lives up to its meaning here. Spitalfields residents love this institution for its cozy, seemingly frozen-in-time atmosphere where people love to gather on the pavement terrace just next to the entrance to the Gilbert & George Centre. It’s a hidden gem, just tucked away from the rush of Brick Lane, and is one of the few ungentrified pubs left in the area.
The Pride of Spitalfields is your quintessential local neighborhood boozer. They’re not serving the finest cocktails (that’s what our number one does best). Instead, you come to The Pride of Spitalfields for the good vibes and a good selection of well-kept cask and craft.
The Pride of Spitalfields carries with it an air of the past that other pubs need to work to create, but what makes it so special is the piano at the back which gets a good workout in the evenings.
This is truly Britain at its best. The best Jack the Ripper tours which take you through Spitalfields will stop by The Pride of Spitalfields because it feels like you’re going back in time without even having to use fancy technology (you’ll see what we mean if you do the tour).
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