The Best Bars Near Liverpool Street (That Aren't Just Chains)
Liverpool Street gets a bad rap: commuter hub, suits, chain pubs by the dozen. But walk five minutes in any direction, and you're in Spitalfields, one of the genuinely best drinking neighbourhoods in East London. If you're searching "bar near Liverpool Street" because you've got an after-work drink, a date, or a work do to sort, and you don't want somewhere generic, here's a proper local's guide.
Why Spitalfields Beats The Station Itself
Liverpool Street station sits right on the edge of Spitalfields, Shoreditch, and the City, which means within a five-to-ten-minute walk you've got everything from historic markets to genuinely good cocktail bars, without ever setting foot in a Wetherspoons. Commercial Street is the spine of it, and Spitalfields Market is worth a wander even if you're not buying anything.
What To Look For In A Bar Near Liverpool Street
A few things separate a good pick from a "we just went to the nearest place" pick:
A short walk, not a slog: anywhere within Spitalfields or Aldgate East keeps you close to the station without feeling like you never left it.
Somewhere with an actual identity: not every bar near a major station needs to look like every other bar near a major station.
Flexibility: Happy hour if it's a quick one, private space if it's a group thing, somewhere that can flex between the two.
Our Pick: 68&SHANGHAI, Commercial Street
We're obviously going to mention ourselves here, so let's be upfront about it: 68&SHANGHAI is a five-minute walk from Liverpool Street, right on Commercial Street in Spitalfields. £5 Happy Hour runs Tuesday–Saturday until 8pm, and all day Sunday, there's a 60-minute hands-on Cocktail Masterclass if you want more than "just a drink," and four private rooms if you're bringing a group.
It's East London by way of Shanghai, a bit chaotic in the best way, not trying to be anything precious.
Other Things Worth Knowing About The Area
Spitalfields Market: food stalls, independent shops, worth a pre-drinks wander.
Aldgate East: a short hop further east, another solid option if Spitalfields is heaving.
Commercial Street itself: the through-line connecting most of the good options in the area, easy to bar-hop along.
Planning A Group Night Near Liverpool Street?
If it's more than a couple of people, private hire is worth considering over trying to hold a table; most venues in the area (68 included) offer private spaces that flex from small groups to 50+, which entirely eliminates the "are we going to get a table" stress.
FAQ’S
-
Spitalfields, a five-to-ten-minute walk from the station, has a much stronger independent bar scene than the station area itself, 68&SHANGHAI on Commercial Street is one option worth knowing about.
-
About a five-minute walk.
-
Yes, several Spitalfields venues, including 68&SHANGHAI, offer private hire spaces ranging from small groups to 50+, which avoids the table-hunting problem of walk-in group drinks.
-
Also close by and worth considering if you want an alternative to Spitalfields specifically.