Best Nightlife in London for Craft Beer Lovers
London’s craft beer scene isn’t just growing-it’s exploded
If you think London nightlife is all about cocktails and clubs, you’re missing half the party. Over the last decade, the city’s craft beer culture has gone from niche to dominant, with independent breweries opening faster than new coffee shops. You don’t need to go to Shoreditch or Peckham to find great beer-you just need to know where to look.
Forget mass-produced lagers and overpriced pints with no story. London’s best craft beer spots serve hop-forward IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, sour ales fermented with local fruit, and lagers brewed with English malt you can’t find anywhere else. These aren’t tourist traps. These are places where brewers, bartenders, and regulars all know each other by name.
The Crown & Hops, Shoreditch
Open since 2018, The Crown & Hops sits in a converted Victorian warehouse with exposed brick, wooden barrels, and a 12-tap system that rotates weekly. It’s not flashy, but it’s the most consistent place in London for fresh, small-batch beer. Their house IPA, East End Haze, uses Cascade and Citra hops grown in Kent and hits 6.8% ABV with zero bitterness overload. The staff don’t just pour beer-they explain it. Ask for the Taproom Taster Flight (five 1/3-pint pours for £12), and you’ll get a mix of their own brews and three guest taps from nearby breweries like Brew by Numbers or Beavertown.
They also host monthly Meet the Brewer nights where you can taste limited releases straight from the tank. Last month, a brewer from Brighton brought a sour cherry lambic aged in oak barrels for 14 months. It sold out in two hours.
The Malt Shovel, Bermondsey
Walk into The Malt Shovel and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a brewery tasting room-because you have. This is the taproom for Partizan Brewing, one of London’s most awarded craft breweries. Their Double IPA clocks in at 8.5% ABV but drinks smoother than most 5% lagers. Their Chocolate Rye Porter has won three Great British Beer Festival medals. It’s not just good-it’s legendary.
There’s no food menu here, just snacks: salted peanuts, pretzels, and occasionally house-made beef jerky. The focus is on the beer. You’ll see people sitting at long wooden tables, talking shop with the brewers. If you arrive before 6 PM on a weekday, you can buy a growler (2-liter jug) of your favorite beer to take home for £10. That’s cheaper than a six-pack at a supermarket.
Beer & Buns, Camden
Camden used to be all about punk rock and cheap lager. Now, it’s home to one of the most surprising craft beer spots in the city: Beer & Buns. It’s a tiny, unassuming place tucked between a tattoo parlor and a falafel stand. But inside, you’ll find a rotating selection of 18 taps, mostly from UK microbreweries you’ve never heard of.
What makes Beer & Buns special? They don’t just serve beer-they pair it. Try the Sticky Toffee Pudding Stout from North Yorkshire’s Dark Star with their house-made salted caramel brownie. Or grab a Hibiscus Sour from Bristol’s Brick Lane Brewery and a spicy pork bun. The combo is better than any cocktail.
They also run a Beer & Buns Club-a monthly subscription where you get a new beer every week, plus tasting notes and a discount on food. Over 1,200 people are signed up. If you’re serious about craft beer, this is the most local experience you’ll find.
The Kernel Brewery, Bermondsey
If you want to see how London’s craft beer revolution started, head to The Kernel Brewery. Founded in 2009 by Evin O’Riordain, it was one of the first modern craft breweries in the city. Their Extra Special Bitter (ESB) is still considered the gold standard for English ales. It’s malty, balanced, and drinks like a history lesson in a glass.
The brewery is open for tastings every Saturday from noon to 5 PM. You can buy bottles directly from the taproom-no markup, no tour fee. Their Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout (10.2% ABV) is aged in bourbon barrels for 10 months and costs £14 a bottle. It’s worth every penny. Many regulars buy a case and cellaring it for a year or two. The 2022 vintage just hit its peak.
The Old Blue Last, Shoreditch
Don’t let the name fool you. The Old Blue Last is a dive bar with soul. It’s been around since the 1980s, and its walls are covered in old gig posters and beer coasters from defunct breweries. But since 2020, it’s become a hotspot for experimental brews. Their tap list changes daily, often featuring one-off collaborations between London and international brewers.
Last December, they served a Chili Chocolate Stout brewed with cacao from Ghana and habanero peppers from a garden in Hackney. It was spicy, sweet, and surprisingly drinkable. They also have a Beer & Vinyl night every Thursday-20 beers on tap, a record player spinning jazz or punk, and no cover charge.
This is where you go if you want to drink something weird. The bartender will ask, “What are you in the mood for?” and then hand you a glass you didn’t know you needed.
How to Navigate the Scene
London’s craft beer bars don’t all have websites. Some don’t even have social media. The best way to find new spots? Talk to people. Ask the barista at your local coffee shop. Ask the guy behind the counter at the record store. Most brewers live in the neighborhoods they serve, and they’ll point you to the next best place.
Look for places with:
- More than 8 taps (if it’s less, they’re probably just selling imported lagers)
- Names that include “Brewery,” “Taproom,” or “Barrel”
- Staff who can tell you the ABV, IBU, and malt bill of every beer
- Local breweries listed on the menu-not just “IPA” or “Stout”
Avoid places with “Craft Beer” on the sign but only serve Heineken or Guinness. Those aren’t craft. They’re marketing.
What to Try in 2026
Here are the styles dominating London right now:
- West Coast IPA - Bold, bitter, piney. Try Warp Speed from Beavertown.
- Neapolitan Sour - Tart, fruity, layered. Strawberry Rhubarb from Magic Rock is a favorite.
- Low-ABV Session IPA - Under 4.5%, but full flavor. Easy Day from Siren Craft Brew is perfect for all-day drinking.
- English Mild - Dark, malty, under 3.5%. A quiet comeback. Try Dark as Night from Tiny Rebel.
- Barrel-Aged Porter - Aged in rum, bourbon, or wine barrels. Look for ones with aging dates on the bottle.
Don’t skip the London Beer Week in April. It’s when every brewery in the city releases a special beer, and pop-up bars appear in empty warehouses, bookshops, and even underground car parks.
When to Go
Weekdays after 5 PM are ideal. Weekends are packed, especially in Shoreditch and Camden. If you want to sit down, arrive before 7 PM. Most places don’t take reservations, but they’ll hold a table if you order a round.
Don’t expect to find craft beer in chain pubs like Wetherspoons or Greene King. They still serve the same three lagers they’ve had since 2010. If you see a pub with a chalkboard listing 12 different beers, walk in.
What to Bring
Nothing. But if you’re serious, bring a growler or a 1-liter bottle to refill. Many places offer discounts if you bring your own container. The Kernel, The Malt Shovel, and The Crown & Hops all do. It’s cheaper, eco-friendly, and you’ll look like a local.
Final Tip: Don’t Just Drink-Learn
London’s best craft beer bars aren’t just about taste. They’re about culture. Talk to the brewers. Ask why they use English hops. Ask how long the beer fermented. Ask what they’re brewing next. Most will invite you to the brewhouse if you’re curious.
This isn’t a bar crawl. It’s a journey through a city that turned its beer culture upside down-and made it better.
Are there any craft beer pubs in central London?
Yes, but they’re scattered. The Crown & Hops in Shoreditch and The Old Blue Last are both close to central zones. Avoid tourist-heavy areas like Leicester Square or Piccadilly-those spots rarely serve anything beyond lager. Stick to neighborhoods like Bermondsey, Peckham, Hackney, and Camberwell for real craft beer.
Is London’s craft beer scene more expensive than other cities?
It’s comparable to Berlin or Portland, Oregon. A pint of craft beer usually costs £5.50-£7.50, which is more than a lager but less than a cocktail. Many places offer taster flights for under £15, letting you try five different beers without overspending. Buying a growler to take home is often cheaper than buying the same beer in bottles.
Do I need to book ahead at these places?
Most don’t take reservations. But if you’re going on a Friday or Saturday night, show up before 7 PM. If you’re planning a group visit to The Kernel or The Malt Shovel, call ahead-they sometimes hold space for larger groups. Otherwise, it’s first come, first served.
Are there any vegan-friendly craft beer bars in London?
Almost all of them. Craft beer is naturally vegan-no animal products are used in brewing. Some breweries even label their beers as vegan on the tap list. Beer & Buns has a full vegan food menu, and The Malt Shovel serves plant-based snacks. You won’t have trouble finding options.
What’s the best time of year to visit for craft beer in London?
April, during London Beer Week, is the peak. Hundreds of special releases drop, pop-up bars open in unexpected places, and breweries host tours. But winter (November-February) is when barrel-aged stouts and dark ales shine. If you like rich, complex flavors, winter is your season.
Where to Go Next
If you loved this scene, check out the London Beer Festival at the Old Truman Brewery every spring. Or head to Manchester or Bristol-both have thriving scenes too. But if you want the heart of the UK’s craft beer revolution, London is still the place.
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