A beer garden bonanza for eastenders

As the weekend is upon us, temperatures are set to rise and pubs to get busier. The perfect way to cool down is to head outside to grab a pint in one of east London’s finest beer gardens.

The east part of the city has several bucolic gems, some of them hidden from the hectic city, some are done-up yards dressed in fairy lights and some with great riverside locations and amazing sun prospects.

Whether you are an east London resident or just love this enchanting part of the city, these are a list of the top beer gardens in the area you should head down to.

The Water Poet

The Waterpoet and its cosy interior (Pic: Amanda Ternblad)

The Waterpoet and its cosy interior (Pic: Amanda Ternblad)

The Water Poet is the place to go if you’re looking for a spot to soak up the sun amongst a mix of Brick Lane hipsters trying out the beer selection and business men and women enjoying their after work pint.

Charlotte Prior, the office manager from The Water Poet said: “The best part about our suntrap beer garden is the fact it has its very own garden bar. It means you can enjoy the sunshine while never having to go far to get one of your favourite craft beers.

“The Water Poet attracts a varied crowd from both the city and many of the interesting start ups in and around Shoreditch, proving that our garden is a winner for all from far and wide.”

The rustic, laid-back atmosphere is something that attracts a wide crowd, which is what the Water Poet aims to achieve. “We mix antique furniture from auctions and markets from all over London to create an interesting and beautiful look in each room and space for our customers to enjoy,” said Prior.

The Water Poet is not only great to enjoy drinks or a meal, but their nine big screens situated around the pub, as well as outside, offers customers a vivid experience with its speaker system.

Where:

9-11 Folgate Street, Spitalfields.

 

The Crown and Shuttle

The Crown and Shuttle is always buzzing (Pic: Amanda Turnblad)

The Crown and Shuttle is always buzzing (Pic: Amanda Ternblad)

Close by, you’ll find one of the most well-known and popular beer gardens in London. The Crown and shuttle has established themselves as the front runner in this race, with their humongous garden, food truck and secluded upstairs private floor.

What is refreshing about this pub is the unpretentious and welcoming feel, which makes it a regular spot for many Londoners. Simon, Office Manager at the Crown and Shuttle said: “We strive to create a warm atmosphere, with an old school pub vibe which puts the customer first, there’s no haughty hipster vibes here.”

Its prime location attracts a mix of bankers and a younger Shoreditch crowd. With its burger van, decked suntrap and food made for sharing, this is the place to bring a large group of friends for a Sunday roast.

The Crown and shuttle believes that what is behind the success is “style and substance.”

“With over 40 feet of bar, with we have a huge range of beers from the most exciting craft breweries in the UK at the moment,” Simon said.

Where:

226 Shoreditch High Street.

 

The Crate brewery

The busy deck of Crate Brewery on the Lea canal (Pic: Crate Brewery)

The busy deck of Crate Brewery on the Lea canal (Pic: Crate Brewery)

If you are trying to get away from busy central, further east is a good option, where you can find a variety of calm and modest pubs, one of them being the Crate Brewery – a haven for any beer enthusiast.

From afar, this industrial site does not look like much but as you get closer the huge windows and rustic façade is impressive and the back where the deck, perched on the River Lea is not too shabby either.

The Crate Brewery does not technically have a beer garden, but the terrace in the back provides you with just as great sun chances and summer feel as one.

Ilaria Biuso, Communication Manager from the Crate Brewery said: “Over summer months it really kicks off down here, all our tables and benches are packed full of people across all ages and the city.”

Their beer selection of fine microbrews is made with utmost care, and their stone oven, for the hand made pizza with organic ingredients never disappoints. It is just as wonderful to enjoy during daytime when the sun is out and the beer tastes best, as in the evening for a pizza dinner and some dancing.

“The Crate bar attracts everyone from every walk of life. Hackney Wick is a tight knit community where everyone seems to knows each other which gives our Crate bar a homely feeling” Biuso said.

One of the best things about this pub is how versatile it is. “On a Friday night, we transform it into an awesome venue that has a fully stocked bar, a Middle Eastern market food shack, a coffee roastery, and DJs. It’s all go all the time here and that’s the excitement that builds amongst our customers and staff is the best part about Crate” Ilaria said.

Where:

Unit 7, Queens Yard, Hackney Wick

Pub on the park

Pub on the Park's huge terrace (Pic: Amanda Turnblad)

Pub on the Park’s huge terrace (Pic: Amanda Turnblad)

If you move away from the hinterland of former industrial warehouses in Hackney Wick, to London Fields, you will find yourself on another great deck.

With the spectacular view over the park, there is not better place to enjoy a jug of Pimm’s than on Pub on the Park’s impressive terrace. A pint on this usually packed porch after a stroll on Broadway market is a great way to spend a sunny Saturday.

Their impressive ale and wine selection, wide range of food and private party compatible long tables makes this the ultimate spot for a place to catch up with friends or organise a dinner.

Where:

19 Martello Street, Hackney

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