The Dolphin

Reviews

• Emma Louise M.

  star star star star star_border 28 May 2026

  Like your typical Mills & Boon novel, this place is a hefty portion of pure filth with a side of guilty pleasure. But here, the filth is literal as opposed to innuendo. Grime. Grot. Yeeeah, welcome to East London, babies.
  
  Arriving here on Thursday, a relatively quiet night in most cities, this dirty Dolphin spoke volumes through its crowd of revellers, inside and out. The outdoor area is ridiculously generous, with plenty of places to sit for smokers and fresh air connoisseurs alike. It's a remarkably large place, the drinks are plentiful and it really is a heck of a spot to hang out into the wee small hours.
  
  Clientele-wise, you can expect an eclectic but predictable mix - creative arty types, thrift store junkies, skinny jeans and cool hairdos... and as the lovely Chris D has already pointed out, it's the perfect place to have those monumental conversations that turn into excellent inside jokes. Where can you get a decent basket of ham these days?
  
  It might have been a grubby place, but it's a treasured London experience of mine. I'd happily duck back in.. it might take a couple of stiff drinks before I'm willing to touch anything there (walls, bathroom fixtures, people) but I'll give it my best shot!

• Matt D.

  star star star star_border star_border 23 May 2026

  The Dolphin is a by far the most popular pub on Mare St. in Hackney. Its appeal lies in its dingy, grungy nature. It is a rock and roll kind of place. I found the beer to be not of the best quality, but I guess that goes with the overall vibe of the place.
  
  Although there is no food menu, I politely asked the barman if I could bring in some chips from the shop down the road and he had no problems with that. Besides, rather than sitting down to a meal, eating hot chips with a pint seems like a more appropriate thing to do in this establishment.
  
  The beer garden is a nice amalgamation of styles. Part western saloon with the balcony, part sauna with the wooden decking, and part tropical with the palm trees, it makes for a quirky setting.
  
  It is quite during the day, and from Monday til Wednesday it is quite at night. Thursday to Sunday nights are its busiest time (as with most pubs). Sunday nights in particular, the place really gets going due to Karaoke night that is held. Sunday nights can be a lot of fun at the Dolphin, but they can also be quite trashy. It often seems that a few of the clients may be still carrying on the big party from the night before.

• Katy I.

  star star star star star_border 20 May 2026

  Show me a pub that's open until 4am and I'll show you a good time.  That's what was had by all at The Dolphin last night.  It's always a winner in my opinion, the first time I ended up there was after a party in Hackney that all got a bit gun crime happy.  The initial disappointment of having to run out of a warehouse with a few hundred other screaming Shoredicks was very much alleviated by a nice cold pint at this wonderful establishment.
  
  It has everything a good pub should have; pool table, big screen TV, smoking garden, beer, fun, free crisps and lots of people.  The centrally placed bar gives the place a kind of merry-go-round effect, it's always packed so you end up dancing around the bar like it's a massive maypole decorated with beer pumps instead of ribbons and flowers.
  
  I get the feeling that a lot of the people who frequent the dolphin may dabble in illegal substances, however this adds a certain something to the atmosphere and means in general that everyone is very, very friendly.

• Qype User (Marmit…)

  star star star star star_border 15 May 2026

  This is an unusual bar, It still has some lovely Victorian architectural features, such as the exquisite tiles and unusual ceiling.
  Great jolly atmosphere, usually! karaoke, locals, arty alternatives regurarly visit this establishment!

• Carmela S.

  star star star star star 14 May 2026

  I've only went and found the best pub in London. There is a Kareoke Machine built into the wall and you just pick your own song!!! The people who go here are utter JOKES..there was even a game of  limbo! Its open til about 2.30am or 3am, there is a snoocker table and everything! I can't believe I've lived in London almost 5 years and have never been to this place!! Legendary!!!