There are art parties every single night in the middle of Murder Mile as Hackney’s cultural renaissance gets underway.

The Venue
Taking over a property formerly owned by Biddle Bros Builders Co, the owners liked the sign so much they thought they’d just stick with it. Bet the inside has changed quite a bit though – no self respecting builders’ company would place a plush velvet couch right in the entrance, not to mention the rubber chicken behind the bar.

Style-wise, it’s a bit of a mishmash, as bookcases stuffed full of secondhand paperbacks nestle up to an ever-changing art display and some unusual curvy tables. In any case, the huge empty fish tank is a unique inclusion (what’s that about?) along with the long bench that runs around two walls at the back, curling around little tables. Unusual toilets, too.

The Atmosphere
Eclectic doesn’t even start to do it justice. Biddle Bros will seemingly let anyone host anything in the back room, though a few themes shine through including acoustic nights and DJ sets. But beyond that, all bets are off - in short, expect the unexpected.

The crowd tends to made up of locals of all ages, and a friendly bunch they are too. Biddle Bros has the party spirit that the other pubs in the area lacks. The long bench in the back room means that you’re encouraged to get chatting to the table next to you, and joining the smokers spilling out on to the street almost always results in some new mates.

The Drink
There are some very nice wines at Biddle Bros. Prices aren’t quite as low as elsewhere in the East End, but they’re hardly outrageous, and the selection has obviously been chosen with care. Bitter fans, however, will be disappointed as there’s nothing for them here.

The Last Word
Fun nights with a local crowd and more than a touch of random all adds to a charm that Biddle Bros has in abundance.

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