London craft beer guide: best pubs, taps and breweries

Image / Google AI

Find top rated London pubs, taprooms and brewery tours

Find the best craft beer bars London has to offer in this concise guide. We map neighbourhoods from Shoreditch and Aldgate to the City and Spitalfields, and point you to easy, central taprooms and cosy pubs. Head out for rotating keg lists, on-site breweries, generous tasting pours and sunny outdoor benches. Start your day with a late afternoon tasting, or plan an evening London beer tour that hits top rated London pubs and hidden brewery taprooms. Expect practical tips on timings, transport links and tasting order, plus advice on sample sizes and pub etiquette. Relax over a well poured pint, and discover beers that range from local ales to bold international brews.

Updated
6 min read

Brick Lane Tap Room

Dining and Drinking Bar
Google4.4
Tripadvisor4
This image is a well-composed close-up of a glass of hazy IPA and its corresponding coaster, placed on a branded bar mat. The setting appears to be an interior of a bar or bottle shop, with a window providing natural light and a fridge visible in the background. The key elements, the beer and coaster, are sharply in focus, making the product details clearly visible. The lighting is excellent, illuminating the beer and its foam attractively. The colors are accurate, and the image exhibits a high degree of photo-realism. The composition effectively draws attention to the product, with the background intentionally blurred to minimize distraction.

Image / Brick Lane Taproom

Tap into Shoreditch: craft beer, good vibes, and relaxed East End energy.

Good for

#CraftBeer#Shoreditch#Taproom#GoodVibes#EastEnd

What to expect

Expect an informal, friendly tap room with a constantly changing selection on tap and in the fridge, and staff happy to pour a taster before a choice is made. Seating ranges from cosy sofas and communal tables to sun-facing benches, while a pool table and music keep the mood upbeat. On warm days the street-side benches fill up, drawing a mix of Shoreditch regulars and visiting craft-beer fans, making it easy to socialise or just relax.

Plan your visit

No reservation is needed, simply drop in, order at the bar and ask for tasters to explore the rotating taps. Perfect after a day wandering Brick Lane, bring friends for a relaxed session, challenge someone to a game of pool, or pop in solo to soak up the local buzz and meet people.

View Website91 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL, UK

Aldgate Tap

££ Dining and Drinking Bar
Google4.6
The image is a well-composed photograph of a modern, angular building, possibly a bar or restaurant, in a city setting. The lighting is excellent, capturing the evening ambiance effectively. The image is sharp, with good detail visible in the architecture and surroundings. Color accuracy is good, with natural-looking tones. The photo is photorealistic, and the key elements (the building) are in sharp focus. The composition is pleasing, and the scene is uncluttered. No unwanted elements are present.

Image / Foursquare

Craft beer at its liveliest, in a striking modern setting with relaxed outdoor seating.

Good for

#CraftBeer#LondonPubs#AldgateTap#OutdoorDrinks#BeerLovers

What to expect

Expect a contemporary neighbourhood pub with a strong focus on craft beer and a relaxed, social energy. The interior is modern and angular, offering good sightlines and an approachable bar, while the outdoor seating opens onto a semi-public plaza ideal for people-watching. Beer offerings rotate regularly, and staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Service is efficient, though the place fills up at peak times, creating a buzzy, convivial atmosphere.

Plan your visit

Drop in after exploring the City, especially on a sunny afternoon to take advantage of the outdoor area. Arrive a little earlier at peak times to secure a table outside, or visit mid-afternoon for a quieter experience. Suited to groups, casual business catch-ups, or solo visits for a relaxed pint and people-watching.

View WebsitePavillion, 1 Portsoken St, Aldgate, London EC3N 1AF, UK

The Craft Beer Co. St Mary Axe

££ Dining and Drinking Bar
Google4.4
This image is a well-composed and well-lit photograph of a bar's interior. The composition is balanced, with the bar taking center stage. The lighting is even and highlights the details of the various bottles and taps. The image is sharp, with clear details visible throughout. The colors are accurate and enhance the overall aesthetic. The photo is highly photorealistic, giving a clear and accurate representation of the scene. All key elements, such as the bar, bottles, and taps, are in focus. There are no unwanted elements present.

Image / VenueScanner

A cosy City pub with a rotating tap list, friendly service and a lively, welcoming buzz.

Good for

#CraftBeerLondon#CityPub#AleTrail#TaproomFinds#StMaryAxe

What to expect

Expect a carefully curated lineup of draught and cask beers, often spotlighting London and British breweries, with a handful of alcohol‑free options. Bar staff are knowledgeable and willing to guide tastings, so sampling before committing to a pint is straightforward. Interiors feel traditional and snug, with wooden tables, leather booths and exposed brick, while a small downstairs area can feel cooler and quieter. The street outside offers standing room on fine days, creating a relaxed City-centre vibe.

Plan your visit

Drop in for a relaxed drink after exploring the Square Mile, or make it a meeting point before heading on. For seating, try the ground floor for a cosier feel and the bar for quick chats with staff about current taps. Small groups and solo visitors will find it easy to mingle, and sampling flights help narrow down the next choice. Carry a phone for quick directions and grab a spot near the bar if keen to hear recommendations.

View Website29-31 Mitre St, London EC3A 5BU, UK

Williams Ale & Cider House

££ Dining and Drinking Bar
Google4.5
Tripadvisor4.5
The image is a well-composed photograph of the exterior of a pub. The dark color scheme of the building provides a nice contrast against the bright sunlight. The windows are clean and well-lit, and the signage is clear and easy to read. The image is sharp and color-accurate. The key elements (the pub's facade and signage) are in focus. The photo is photorealistic and has no unwanted elements. The only minor weakness is that the lighting could be slightly more even across the entire facade.

Image / Tripadvisor

A cosy Spitalfields pub, perfect for cider fans and anyone after classic London pub charm.

Good for

#LondonPubs#CiderLovers#Spitalfields#CosyAtmosphere#NeighbourhoodPub

What to expect

Atmosphere leans cosy and convivial, with exposed brick, dark wood and vintage signage setting a classic pub scene. The bar offers an impressive variety of cask ciders and ales, and staff are knowledgeable and approachable, happy to help pick something to suit the palate. Seating ranges from intimate corners to communal tables, creating a lively spot for conversation, low-key sport viewing or a relaxed catch-up after exploring the neighbourhood.

Plan your visit

Ideal as a comfortable break between sightseeing and meetings, the pub is an easy stop for a relaxed drink or catch-up. Arrive in the afternoon for a quieter experience, or visit later for a livelier feel. Staff can guide choices from the drinks menu, and the interior offers plenty of character for a comfortable hour or two with company or solo.

View Website22-24 Artillery Ln, London E1 7LS, UK

Great Beyond Taproom and Brewery

Dining and Drinking Bar
Google4.9
This image is an example of exterior photography. It captures a well-composed shot of a street scene with a train running over a bridge. The composition is balanced, drawing the viewer's eye towards the train and the building in the background. The image is well-lit, showcasing the scene in a soft, natural light. The sharpness is excellent, capturing details of the train, the brickwork, and the streetlights. The color accuracy is good, with a slightly cool tone that adds to the overall ambiance. The image is photorealistic, capturing the scene accurately. The key elements of the image, including the train, the bridge, and the building, are in focus. The image does not contain any unwanted elements. Based on the above criteria: - The image is well-composed and well-lit. - The sharpness is excellent. - The color accuracy is good. - The image is photorealistic. - The key elements are in focus. Score: 85 Strengths: - Well-composed and well-lit - Excellent sharpness - Good color accuracy - Photorealistic - Key elements in focus Weaknesses: None

Image / Great Beyond Taproom and Brewery

Cosy arches, small-batch brews and genuinely friendly service beneath the Overground.

Good for

#GreatBeyondTaproom#LondonBreweries#TaproomVibes#HiddenGemsLondon#ArchesBars

What to expect

A compact, characterful taproom set beneath the railway arches, decorated with exposed brick and industrial touches. Seating ranges from sofas to communal benches, creating pockets for relaxed conversation or lively catch-ups. The beer list focuses on quality over quantity, with tasting pours available, cans and bottles to take away, and friendly staff happy to recommend. Music is upbeat but never overpowering, making it easy to linger and enjoy the flavour-focused offerings.

Plan your visit

Treat this as a relaxed stop: bring friends or go solo to discover new brews, ask for samplers to narrow choices, and pick up a few cans to enjoy later. The layout suits small groups and solo drinkers, sofas encourage lingering, and the neighbourhood setting rewards exploratory walks before or after the visit.

View Website417 Union Walk, London E2 8HP, UK