There's no shortage of suntrap beer gardens, buzzy rooftop bars or breezy courtyards for a meal or a drink in the sun in Hackney. Here's The Resident's pick of where to go for alfresco dining in east London's hipster epicentre...
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1. Dalston Curve Garden, Dalston
A verdant oasis of a place right on Dalston Junction, the curve garden is a pretty chilled out place, ideal for a relaxed afternoon coffee and cake or a beer. It's also a community driven social enterprise too, offering programmes for young people, older people and Hackney residents of all sorts to get in touch with nature, so it's a good cause to support.
Address: 13 Dalston Lane, E8 3DF
Website: dalstongarden.org
2 Jones & Sons, Dalston
If you're looking for a place for a Sunday roast, a weekend brunch with the girls, or a date night option that says, I'm just casually impressive, Jones & Sons is your place. With a spacious dining room with bar seating, it's also a great place for winter, but in the summer, you'll want to park yourself in the spacious, quiet courtyard for a cocktail or two.
Address: Stamford Works, 3 Gillett Street N16 8JH
Website: jonesandsonsdalston.com
3 Acme Fire Cult & 40FT Taproom, Dalston
A collaboration perfect for summer, Acme Fire Cult has opened up next to 40FT Brewery and between them, the Bootyard has become a laidback cul de sac of a beer garden/outdoor seating to enjoy. Acme Fire Cult plates up smokey flame-grilled dishes slathered in herbaceous, flavourful sauces (plenty of veg options too). For drinks the AFC has cocktails and wine, and will bring you a pint or two of a 40 FT brew. Alternatively, if you're just after drinks, bags a spot and grab a pint from the taprooms. Oh, Dusty Knuckle bakery is down this way too, so you've got many bases covered.
Address: Abbot Street, Dalston E8 3DP
Website: acmefirecult.com
4 Chesham Arms, Homerton
An absolute gem of a place, The Chesham is a welcoming backstreet boozer with a cracking leafy beer garden, reminiscent of your favourite village pub that pulls in a jovial, friendly crowd. There’s no food available, but you’re welcome to order yard Sale pizza (go the broccoli one).
Address: 15 Mehetabel Road, Homerton E9 6DU
Website: cheshamarms.com
5 Crooked Billet, Clapton
The Crooked Billet has a sprawling beer garden that has many chapters to it. There are covered tables and booths should the weather turn, as well as a smattering of food huts to fill up from. Inside, you’ve got an unfussy slightly shabby chic traditional pub with craft beers and real ales of tap, that knows how to serve up a good roast.
Address: 84 Upper Clapton Road E5 9JP
Website: e5crookedbillet.co.uk
6 The Scolt Head, DeBeauvoir
Another friendly backstreet neighbourhood pub, and this one comes with a charming beer gardens enshrouded in greenery. The kitchen serves up classic British pub fare, and behind the bar, you’ve got craft beers, cocktails and a host of wines to try.
Address: 107A Culford Road N1 4HT
Website: thescolthead.co.uk
7 Netil360, London Fields
A hugely popular joint at the top of Broadway Market, sometimes the que can run the length of the stairwell, so arrive early. The view from here is superb, sweeping across London Fields and Shoreditch, with the City in the background. There’s also cocktails on tap and astro-turf on the ground, so you’re likely to stick around if the sun comes out.
Address: 1 Westgate Street, Hackney E8 3RL
Website: netil360.com
8 Pub on the Park, London Fields
Pub on the Park’s park-side terrace is a great spot to watch over all of London Field’s ongoings with a pint in hand or a burger on the way. When a game is on, you can watch the football or rugby on an outdoor screen as well. A bit of a party pub, things at Pub at the Park can get a little bit rowdy the later you stay, and given that the terrace is a suntrap too, you’ll be forgiven if you're still there for last drinks.
Address: 19 Martello Street, Hackney E8 3PE
Website: pubonthepark.com
9 People’s Park Tavern, Victoria Park
Convivial and always heaving on a warm sunny day, the People’s Park Tavern pulls in a young crowd and stragglers from park picnics. It too has as bit of a rep for being a party pub, so here’s where to go should you want the afternoon to follow on seamlessly into the night. The pub does standard pub grub such as burgers, comedy on during the week and DJs at the weekend.
Address: 360 Victoria Park Road E9 7BT
Website: peoplesparktavern.pub
10 Hackney Coterie, Hackney Downs
Warehouse brasserie and wine bar Hackney Coterie plates up an all day menu created by Dominic Auger (ex-HIDE and Scully St James) and low intervention wine in a low-key cool kind of way. Dressed with festoon lighting and trestle tables, the large sun-trap terrace is a great way to spend a low-key afternoon drinking your way through the wine list.
Address: 230B Dalston Lane, E8 1LA
Website: hackneycoterie.net
11 Crate Brewery, Hackney Wick
The pick of Hackney Wick haunts, Crate Brewery is a sun trap perched on Regent’s Canal, overlooking canal boats and Hackney Bridge and all the canal-side action- a perfect spot for an afternoon beer or two. The brewery has a decent range of beers from crisp lagers to punchy IPAs, and it makes stone-baked pizzas too. Open until 1am on the weekends.
Address: Unit 7 Queen’s Yard, London E9 5EN
Website: cratebrewery.com
12 Dalston Roofpark, Dalston
Relaxed venue, Dalston Roof park hosts music and film nights, as well as providing a spot to bask in the sun. Nestled among Hackney’s Victorian buildings and overlooking London’s skyscrapers, it’s a great spot to relax, eat, drink and dance. It’s run by the Bootstrap Charity, where all profits go back into empowering young people and businesses. Walk-ins only – first come, first served (unless there’s a special event on).
Address: The Print House, 18-22 Ashwin Street E8 3DL
Website: dalstonroofpark.com
13 Hackney Bridge, Hackney Wick
Hackney Bridge, from the team behind Pop Brixton and Peckham Levels, is a bar and food truck space with studios and coworking spaces too. It’s home to In The Courtyard, an alfresco drinking and dining hotspot for east London with bar and a revolving selection of street food traders. The Courtyard hosts events throughout the summer, including big sporting events like Wimbledon on a giant outdoor screen.
Address: Units 1-28, Echo Building, East Bay Lane E15 2SJ
Website: hackneybridge.org
READ MORE:
East London's Best Brunch & Breakfast Spots
The Best Pop-Ups, Terraces & Take Overs in London to Try For Summer
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