The Star by Hackney Downs: Pub in London

The Star by Hackney Downs is a food venue in E5 that also works as a place to spend an evening. Come for a meal and stay for whatever the room is doing. The programming leans social and a little playful. You'll find DJ nights that keep the mood loose, pub quizzes where teams argue over the answers, board game nights for a slower pace, and life drawing sessions where the sketching sits alongside a drink. The crowd tends to be local and happy to talk to whoever is sitting next to them. You don't need to be an expert to join in. If you want a quiet dinner, this may not be your room. If you want a night that feels like the neighbourhood, it often is.