Bethnal Green pubs and bars

Please note, the Natural Philosopher has re-opened under new ownership. Time Out London Editors, April 2019. We’ve had bars inside fridges, behind bookcases and through mirrors, so there’s nothing too shocking about Hackney Road’s The Natural Philosopher, which by night takes residence in the converted storeroom of a Mac repair shop. It’s one of those bars that you’ll need to be on the lookout for. When we visited on a Saturday evening there was no sign of life to give it away, as we were the only customers. But the two staff members we encountered – one of whom was the owner, James Manero – were so friendly that it didn’t seem to matter, and there’s a stack of board games in the corner if you’re keen to make your own fun. After making your way down a set of stairs, the bar is found lowered into a well in the ground, which means ordering while peering down onto any potential bald spots. If the staff weren’t so genial, this could have become a bit awkward. An ageing rug on the floor, a grandfather clock and deep red walls give a retro feel, which contrasts nicely with the computer workshop upstairs, while a small room behind and below the bar makes an intimate cubbyhole for group drinking. Decoration down here comes courtesy of framed pictures of ladies with their knockers out (but not a penis in sight, sigh). Their cocktails, which change seasonally, were mixed with care and originals are named after famous philosophers from down the years. The Lord Kelvin, for instance,...

A back-passage boozer just off Hackney Road with a dishevelled aesthetic and live music leanings, the Sebright Arms has a faithful army of drinkers, mostly in their mid-twenties. The pub champions local craft beers – look for anything from Hackney Brewery, London Fields or Redchurch on rotation on tap – as well as showcasing fast food pop-ups. Indeed, a long-running residency from Lucky Chip put the tongue-in-cheek burger vendors firmly on the foodie map. Live music is the Sebright’s biggest draw though, with gigs on almost every night in the louche basement. Sound-proofing may be a bit of an issue but it’s only good vibrations that set kitsch lampshades wobbling charmingly in the ground-floor bar. And despite their studiously cool appearance, fresh-faced staff in American Apparel gear seem to be having just as much fun as the gig-goers, which is just fine in our book.

It’s inexplicable that The Hive isn’t crammed every night. Just a few steps from Regent’s Canal, its combo of organic food, cold-pressed juices and great coffee by day, and a fresh menu of veggie aperitivo and natural wines from 5pm, make it a fine place to kick back with a laptop – or kick off a night out. The space is minimalist but sprawling. Huge windows make it bright and airy in the day, though it could do with being cosied up a bit at night. Food-wise, we plumped for a selection of small plates. Houmous was light as a feather and moreish; as was the farinata, a traditional Italian flatbread made with chickpea flour, olive oil and salt, served warm and perfect for dipping. The wines were the main event, though. Our knowledgeable waiter talked us through the menu, noting which were low in sulphites. (Those rumours that low-sulphite wines give less of a hangover? All true!) Highlights were a glass of La Stoppa Ageno – an aromatic, organic orange wine – and Rocco di Carpeneto Aur-Oura, a light, dangerously drinkable organic red. All the vino is sourced by owners Marco and Ilaria – they’re experts on the Northern Italian natural wine scene and it shows. With an offering this strong, quite frankly, The Hive deserves to be buzzing.