The Dolphin Pub – A swimmingly great night out

Image by Deanna Romano

The Dolphin Pub is the kind of place you feel you have to explain its appeal before admitting to liking it. From the outside, the pub looks like an old man’s watering hole while the interior screams tacky Victorian, if you can imagine such a thing.

However hit this place on a Saturday night for a drink or two and you’ll find yourself there till the early hours, dancing and singing along to handbag house intermittently mixed with karaoke favourites. Yes, the music selection is what keeps the crowd’s infectiously good vibe going, as one minute you’re gyrating to cheesy dance classics and the next someone has taken the microphone and is singing along to the best of the worst karaoke tunes. However, as the crowd is too drunk to notice whether you hit that note, there’s not need to be shy.

If you’re in need of resting your feet, or vocal cords as it may be, there’s a decent sized outdoor terrace where you can eye up the outrageously trendy and alternative types that flock to this pub. Like so much of East London, the most unlikely of places always attracts the heaviest crowds, therefore West End glamour types may not be impressed. However this unpredictably fun pub has the knack of removing inhibitions and class distinctions as the night wears on and the intoxication levels increase.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The Dolphin Pub | Bars, Music | Pint £ 3.00
165 Mare Street | East | +442089853727
Mon – Thu 16:00 – 02:00, Fri 16:00 – 04:00, Sat 12:00 – 04:00, Sun 12:00 – 02:00