Taprooms, brewpubs and the local beer scene in London worth taking a tram to.

Where to drink local

Howling Hops Tank Bar ★ 4.6

BreweryModern craft, tank-fresh unfiltered ales££hackneySun-Thu 12:00-23:30, Fri-Sat 12:00-01:30Mon-Sun 12:00-23:00

Howling Hops's Hackney Wick tank bar in east London, founded 2014, is the UK's first dedicated tank bar with ten stainless-steel tanks pouring unfiltered.

Tip: Open daily from midday. Live music Fridays from 20:30 and vinyl DJs Saturdays from 20:00. Latin-fusion kitchen runs through the day.

Unit 9A, Queens Yard, White Post Lane, London E9 5EN Book →

The Kernel Brewery ★ 4.8

BreweryModern craft, Pale Ale focus££borough-bermondseyMon-Tue closed, Wed-Fri 12:00-20:30, Sat 11:00-20:30, Sun 12:00-20:00Sat 09:00-14:00 only (Bermondsey arch open)

Evin O'Riordain's railway-arch brewery in Bermondsey London, founded 2009, the city's most-influential modern craft brewery, runs a Saturday-only retail.

Tip: Saturday market hours only (09:00-14:00). The bottle shop runs at the arch alongside Mons cheese and Maltby Street market.

Arch 7 Dockley Road, London SE16 3SF Book →

Five Points Brewery Taproom ★ 4.2

BreweryModern craft, Pale and Pils focus££hackneyMon-Wed closed, Thu 17:00-23:00, Fri 16:00-00:00, Sat 12:00-00:00, Sun 12:00-20:00Fri 17:00-23:00, Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-20:00

Edward Mason and Greg Hobbs's Five Points Brewing brewery taproom on Mare Street in Hackney London, founded 2013, runs a railway-arch tap with Five Points.

Tip: The arch has outdoor seats. Friday evening fills with the Hackney Central commuter crowd; Saturday afternoon walks in any time.

61 Mare Street, London E8 4RG Book →

Hammerton Brewery Taproom ★ 4.0

BreweryModern craft, 20+ lines including IPA, stout and sours££islingtonMon-Tue closed, Wed-Thu 16:00-23:30, Fri-Sat 12:00-23:30, Sun 12:00-20:00Wed-Sun afternoon and evening service

Lee Hammerton's brewery taproom on Roman Way in Islington London, founded 2014, runs 20-plus craft beer lines from the on-site brewery alongside guest beers.

Tip: Open Wed-Sun; walk-ins welcome. Wednesday 16:00-19:00 runs 50% off handmade pizzas. Dog and family friendly until 18:00.

Unit 9, 149 Roman Way, London N7 8XH Book →

Cloudwater Tap Room ★ 4.4

BreweryModern craft, hop-forward keg programme with rotating cask££borough-bermondseyMon 17:00-22:00, Tue-Thu 15:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 13:00-22:00, Sun 13:00-20:00Tue-Thu 15:00-22:00, Fri 13:00-22:00, Sat 12:00-22:00, Sun 12:00-20:00

Manchester's Cloudwater Brew Co opened this Bermondsey railway-arch tap on Enid Street in 2019; 20 keg lines plus one cask handpump on the Beer Mile.

Tip: Closed Monday. Friday afternoon and Saturday are the busiest crawl windows; arrive before 15:00 Saturday for a seat. Cloudwater can-art banners mark it.

73 Enid Street, London SE16 3RA Book →
← Back to London food guide