The best bars in Stratford, London

“Do you know any cool or great bars close by?”

Are there any Stratford pubs or bars you like to go to for different occasions or to suit your mood, or could you recommend a drinking location, such as a cocktail bar or an outdoor bar, that might suit someone else's tastes? It’s knowledge that only comes from knowing an area inside out. When you feel like a true local, someone who’s integrated into the place where they work, live or play.

April 2024

A bar with stools.

Well we’ve done a bit of the legwork for you and listed some of our favourite Stratford pubs and bars. So, if it’s pre-dinner cocktails with friends, end of the working day drinks and fun with colleagues, or a weekend date with partners, friends or family, you can work through the list and discover some of the coolest, nicest, most fun Stratford pubs and bars.

OutPost East Bank

OutPost is more than just a local hangout, it is also a lively Stratford bar and restaurant. Whether you're in the mood for a delicious stone-baked pizza, with a refreshing beer or classic Italian cocktail, OutPost has you covered. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere to unwind after a long day at work, or consider OutPost's event spaces to hire, such as their cosy Library and bright Garden Room.

On Friday and Saturday nights, local DJs take to the decks, transforming the space into the perfect location for a big night out. Whatever your occasion, OutPost has something for everyone. 

Find them: Building S5, Unit 5, Stratford Cross, London E20 1HZ

Bat & Ball 

Looking for some active fun with your pint!  Bat & Ball is spread over two floors with five championship size, ping pong tennis tables. It’s a place to play or party with live DJs on Friday and Saturday nights and live sports on the big screen. 

Perhaps not the most peaceful Stratford bar to go to, if all you want is a quiet drink, but if it is a lively night you’re after, this is the place to be. Try your hand at beer or prosecco pong, sing your heart out at karaoke, or take on your opponents at a game of pool or table tennis. 

Find them: Westfield Stratford, Montfichet Road, E20 1EJ

Roof East

Above the Stratford Shopping Centre, Roof East offers an outdoor rooftop bar and community space with an open air cinema, curling and bowling lanes, as well as popular street-food outlets, cocktails, beers, spirits and wine. Open from mid April to the autumn, around every corner you will find something bright and visual, and with a busy calendar of events no two visits are ever the same. Check out their events page to see what's coming up.

Find them: 7&8 Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Rd, E15 1BB

Beer Merchants Tap 

If you enjoy fine and unusual beers, Beer Merchants Tap is a fabulous craft beer bar and bottleshop located on the edge of Stratford in Hackney Wick. With 20 keg taps, 2 cask pumps and access to over 500 bottles and cans, thanks to their bar and shop being a physical extension of their site Beermerchants.com, this is an amazing place to try out a wonderful selection of beers from all over the world. 

Beer not your thing?  This Stratford bar also serves artisan gins, whiskies, rums and vodkas, and an expertly chosen wine list along with soft drinks and non-alcoholic beer. Alongside the drinks you can enjoy bar snacks and cheese and meat platters from artisan producers, as well as their signature Bovine Burger from Thursday to Sunday. They also run some rather interesting events which are well worth checking out with friends and family. 

Find them: 99 Wallis Rd, Hackney Wick, E9 5LN

Jim & Tonic at The Print House

This stylish Stratford bar and restaurant alongside the canal is the perfect place for G&T lovers to discover new gins, tonics and flavour combinations. The team at Jim & Tonic serve up a huge variety of premium gins, including their own award-winning range created in their very own distillery (which you can also tour!), with botanicals sourced locally within London. 

Drop by for a casual drink or book a tasting to discover your new favourite gin – and look out for the venue’s famous Bus Bar! Jim & Tonic also host events throughout the year, including comedy shows, quiz nights, live DJs, workshops and more. 

Find them: 133 High St, London E15 2RB. 

Ye Olde Black Bull

Looking for something with a more traditional atmosphere? Why not visit Ye Olde Black Bull, located opposite the Stratford Shopping Mall. 

The current building has been there since 1892, though this watering hole can trace its roots back almost 200 years to 1829. A classic old school Stratford pub with etched glass, warm wood panelling and tables and traditional bar layout, they serve excellent, well looked after Guinness alongside a good selection of whiskies. On warm days there is also a small, secluded beer garden with six picnic benches to enjoy your drinks in. 

Find them: 13 Broadway, Stratford, E15 4BQ

The Lounge at the Stratford Hotel

Chilled and stylish, the Lounge at the Stratford Hotel, with its high airy ceiling and light bright spaces, is a lovely place to relax in cosy armchairs when you are on a couples night or to catch up with friends and family. Sip a delicious glass of wine or try out their cocktail bar range with a classic or reimagined, playful cocktail. 

On weekdays from 3 to 7 pm, the Lounge offers, not just one, but four happy hours in a row on spritzes, house wines and beers. Then on Friday and Saturday evenings the place hots up with DJs and live music and a careful curation of house, funk and disco.  

Find them: 20 International Way, London, E20 1FD 

Stratford has an abundance of great bars to explore and we hope you've found one from this list for your next outing! Make sure you view our explore page for things to eat and places to shop after you've finished in the bars.