Cock E8*

Cock Tavern, London E8

Traditional pub (Southampton Arms)
315 Mare Street E8 1EJ
T 020 8533 6369 w www.thecocktavern.co.uk tw TheCockTavernE8
Open 1200-2300 (0100 Fri-Sat). Children welcome until early evening.
Cask beer 8 (3+ Howling Hops, changing unusual often local guests), Other beer 8 keg, 12+ bottles, Also 8 real ciders/perries.
Food Baps, pies, charcuterie, Outdoor Tiny beer garden, Wifi.
Wed quiz, occasional beer themed events.

The reopening of this fine old pub in July 2012 brought a much needed source of great beer to Hackney town centre, a few steps from the famous Empire music hall and ‘cultural quarter’ around the Town Hall Square. Even more promisingly, it’s been created by the team behind the Southampton Arms NW5 (p157), one of the pioneers of the new wave of beer pubs in London and still one of the capital’s best pubs. But while the Southampton is often packed with drinkers, you’re much more likely to get a seat in the more capacious Cock, at least for the time being.

Even more interestingly, the Hackney venue is a brewpub, hosting Howling Hops brewery in its cellar and featuring at least three of HH’s contemporary styled ales on the bar. Other cask choices served by enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff come from local suppliers like Brodie’s, East London or Redemption, or quality brewers from elsewhere like Otley, Magic Rock, Redwillow, Titanic, Thornbridge or Willliams Brothers. Some of the same names are visible on the keg taps which are also devoted to beers from British small brewers – BrewDog, Harbour, Kernel and London Fields might be represented too. A small but well chosen bottled range continues the theme, including Kernel and Redchurch besides Bristol and Buxton.

The venue is a solid red brick corner pub that’s been beautifully scrubbed up, with a handsome panel of Truman’s relief signing still visible on one corner. Inside there’s an attractively old fashioned public bar feel with restored half height dark panelling, ceramic tiles and floorboards. As with the Southampton, food is limited to cheese and meat baps, pork pies, Scotch eggs, cold meat and bar snacks.

National Rail Hackney Downs Overground Hackney Central Cycling LCN+ 9, 2012 Hackney Parks route Walking 2012 Hackney Parks route, London Fields paths