Much of the East End’s history can be traced back to its best boozers. Steeped in storied lore, such as meeting places for notorious gangsters to the haunts of Jack the Ripper, Shoreditch’s proper pubs are part of its social fabric, having served the communities of Bethnal Green, Hoxton, Haggerston and Brick Lane for centuries. Not sure where to sip in Shoreditch? Here are our favourite pubs in EC2.  

The Culpeper

What began with the restoration of a Victorian pub in Shoreditch’s Commercial Street has grown into a collection of four characterful, B-Corp certified London pubs run by sustainable architects Gareth Roberts and Nico Treguer. The inaugural outpost, The Culpeper, opened in 2014 after its founders overhauled the former Princess Alice pub to create a four-floor venue which offers the holy trinity of hospitality: a pub, restaurant and rooftop bar. 

The Culpeper takes its name from 17^th century local herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, and his community work inspired the pub’s decor and menus. Expect bistro-inspired fare in the restaurant, a greenhouse for private dining and, during the summer months, a rooftop woodland garden that is serviced by a menu showcasing British seasonal produce, herbs grown on-site, and vegetables from The Culpeper’s own Deptford farm. The result? Gorgeous plates of grilled baby leeks with romesco sauce, chicken with chanterelles and black garlic, and The Culpeper farm salad. Also taking inspiration from the herbalist is the new cocktail menu; split into three sections – Sun, Twilight and Moon – you won’t regret ordering the rosemary-infused Collins made with home-grown herbs. 

40 Commercial Street, E1 6LP, visit theculpeper.com 

The Knave of Clubs

Images: The Knave of Clubs

Together with One Club Row – one of London’s hottest restaurants – The Knave of Clubs pub is the brainchild of James Dye and Benjy Leibowitz who are behind Gymkhana, Bambi and The Camberwell Arms, with the kitchen led by culinary director Patrick Powell. Unlike its New York-inspired sister, The Knave of Clubs prides itself on being a proper East End boozer. It dates back to 1880 and was formerly known as The Bird House, nodding to traders from the nearby Club Row market who would sell songbirds in the pub, but was renamed The Knave – an Old English term for a dishonest, deceitful, or untrustworthy man – in honour of the rascals that used to frequent the pub. 

Daily fare is centred around oysters, Guinness and rotisserie chicken, sourced from London butcher Turner & George, but linger a little longer to also try prawn scotch eggs, venison sausage rolls and the aubergine schnitzel with tomato and feta. Beers are courtesy of independent breweries across the city and a concise cocktail and wine list make this a perfect destination for date nights, catch ups with friends or a pitstop in between errands in the East End. 

25 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6HT, visit theknaveofclubs.co.uk 

The Buxton

Also part of The Culpeper Hospitality Group (see above), The Buxton is another B-Corp public house that does a lot more than just serve pints, housing 15 thoughtfully-designed rooms across seven floors, a restaurant, pub and wine bar, and streetside terrace. Flanking the crossroads of Spitalfields, Hackney, and Aldgate, it was named after Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton who was an MP and owner of the nearby Truman Brewery – it’s safe to say, then, that you can expect some proper pints. 

Not on draught are a selection of low-intervention, nature-led wines and classic cocktails (it would be remiss not to try the Breakfast Martini, with Beefeater Gin, Triple Sec, marmalade and toast syrup). Eschewing a full-on menu for a selection of small plates – highlighting the best UK produce and local suppliers, like Mons cheese and Snapery East Bakery – expect goats curd with beetroot, hazelnut, orange, crab mousse on toast with Tobasco, and La Narval Picante sardines topped with pickled chilli.

42 Osborn Street, E1 6TD, visit thebuxton.co.uk 

Well and Bucket

Having poured pints on 143 Bethnal Green Road since 1818, the Well and Bucket is a storied East End institution. Under the name Jacob's Well, it was more famous for its oysters than it was for its bar in the 19^th century, but continued to serve working class communities that were clustered around this patch of the East End until it closed in 1989. In 2013, it entered a new era under Urban Pubs and Bars – which also look after Balham Bowls Club, The Birdcage in Hackney, and The East Dulwich Tavern – and now offers an all singing, all dancing menu served among its bare brick walls, black-and-white portraits and original tiling. 

Opt for its signature Maldon oysters or go for the bar boards: one features camembert and all the trimmings, while the other features a lineup of bar favourites including beef sliders, pork belly bites, Scotch eggs, hot fried chicken and tater tots. Wash it all down with classic beers or seasonal spritzes – we’d go for the Italicus bergamot concoction any day of the week. 

143 Bethnal Green Road, E2 7DG, visit urbanpubsandbars.com 

The Princess of Shoreditch

Images: The Princess of Shoreditch

Looking for a posh pub? Look no further than The Princess of Shoreditch. Boasting a solid reputation within East London’s food scene, the kitchen is currently overseen by Michelin-starred chef Simon Bonwick, who helped this establishment scoop two AA Rosettes. Now a world away from its humble beginnings as a Victorian tavern, food takes centre stage, especially with plates like Toulouse Sausage with puy lentils and sauce verte, steak and ale pie, and scorched mackerel with tartare dressing and matchsticks potatoes. 

Inside, grey walls complement bare floorboards, and guests are welcomed at the bar to enjoy pale ales from Bristol, Majorcan lagers, and Irish stouts, as well as house cocktails that riff off the classics including the hot honey margarita, brown sugar old fashioned and a white negroni. Chin, chin. 

76-78 Paul Street, EC2A 4NE, visit theprincessofshoreditch.com

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