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Image posted by Tris C
Submitted on Wednesday, 12th May 2021
With picture contributions to 2349 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Cock Tavern, Hackney Central, E8
E8
E8 1EJ
Served areas

Reviews of The Cock Tavern (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Cock Tavern
Twinned with the Southampton Arms and first visited in 2017, this pub has bedded in very well over the years and is a much more accomplished venue. Dating from 1561, this incarnation was rebuilt in 1930 by A. E. Sewell for Truman's, with fine examples of the trademark to the exterior and a lantern, the interior well covered by photos.
The pub attracts quite a mixed crowd and is clearly LGBTQ+ friendly, despite the lack of rainbow branding, also attracting some rather eccentric types too.
There are 20 rare bar-mounted pumps with brass ferules, half dispensing real ciders, half cask then ten keg taps. Ales rotate at speed, are frequently local - or often local for London - and are in great shape too, typically coming in comfortably under the £5.00 mark, which is pretty much what I would have expected to pay before the plague hit.
This is a must-visit if in the borough of Hackney, making for a great triple with the Pembury and Chesham; throw in the Prince George for good measure.
On 3rd May 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2202 recommendations about 2159 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Cock Tavern
Still retains it’s Truman’s exterior with quite a dark bare boarded interior. 4 real ales & 5 ciders served on my visit.
On 30th September 2021
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2933 recommendations about 2866 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Cock Tavern
I'd read somewhere that my favourite pub in Hackney was open, despite wondering where the outdoor drinking was taking place. With the Five Points Summer Tap being a further 10-15 minute walk along Mare Street, we decided to round off our day at the Cock.
The barman was just leaving when we arrived. As such, we ended up with a Seacider Passion Fruit Cider and a Kernel IPA on the house served in plastic glasses. With the two of us remaining a little inebriated, we never did find the outdoor tables.
In more normal times, I really enjoy visits to this place. It has an excellent range of real ales, real ciders and craft beers, with a fairly funky drinking atmosphere and knowledgeable staff.
Hoping to get back inside when this has all blown over.
On 20th April 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3028 recommendations about 3026 pubs]
View more reviews of The Cock Tavern (22)
North London Line by Bucking Fastard
North London Line Mark II by Bucking Fastard
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- Official site of The Cock Tavern - www.thecocktavern.co.uk
- Facebook - Cock Tavern
- Twitter - The Cock Tavern E8
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Cock Tavern - whatpub.com
Hackney Downs, 0.44 miles, 8 min walk (show)
London Fields, 0.48 miles, 9 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Beer Festivals : Yes - Tap takeovers. - last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Car Park : No last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Child Friendly : No last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Function Room : No last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Hot Food : No - BYO food. - last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Jukebox : No - Decorative. - last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Live Music : Yes - Jazz Thursdays 7.30. - last updated 25 January 2022 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Pool Table : No last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Quiz Night : No last updated 15 December 2021 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 30 September 2021 by hondo .
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 30 September 2021 by hondo .
- WiFi : Yes last updated 11 August 2014 by paulof horsham