Rebecca P.
Yelp
I discovered the Howl at the Moon pub in Hoxton after conducting a recce of the area. Fulfilling the criteria of a boozer near the overground station that boasted a stellar beer selection, it was the immediate frontrunner. Surprised that I hadn't stumbled upon this place before, I walked in and found an effortlessly charming- and unpretentious- East London gem. The crowd was assorted, comprising both older punters sat at the bar and younger crowds gathered around tables for post-work drinks. In 'only in East London' fashion, there was a cockatiel poised on the bar, occasionally whistling to customers in mid-order. At some point, the cage was removed and the bird disappeared- but nobody seemed too fazed. I suspect he's a regular.
The ambiance was casual, good music wafted over the din of conversation. The pub is a bit bijoux, but it felt very buzzy and the bartenders were very pleasant. I was given a taste of a sour lager that was on keg- a homebrew from a local enthusiast- and they happily sifted through some bottles in the fridge for me.
There have a reasonable number of lines for a small pub, both keg and cask, and their selection is in constant rotation. What was pouring on our visit was immensely commendable: a fantastic brown ale from Brew by Numbers; a juicy pale ale, Kaleidoscope, from Wiper and True; the silky smooth Liquid Mistress red IPA from Siren; and the fantastically quaffable pilsner, All Caps!, from Mondo. Kernel and another Brew by Numbers were also represented on tap and the fridge was stocked to the brim with more Kernel and Beavertown amongst numerous others.
The space is endearing- quirky and mismatched wooden benches likely salvaged from a church, tables and chairs provided ample seated space and auxiliary character was provided from keg barrels suspended from the ceiling (which is naturally padded with coffee-branded burlap sacks). The food menu was on point with no-frills and dishes looked fantastically wholesome and enticing. Burgers, wings and a Hoxton hottie were on offer, all with local input, including sandwiches from the glorious E5 bakery.
This is a welcoming and cosy dugout worth seeking out for relaxed, friendly and idiosyncratic environs. The warm ambiance is matched with a commendable beer selection and a tidy, delicious food menu. Perfect for after work drinks or for a stopover if you're in the area, you'll likely find a seat, settle in and find it nigh impossible to leave.