The Commercial Tavern

The Commercial Tavern är en bar och restaurang på 142 Commercial St, Shoreditch/Tower Hamlets i London.

It’s not much to look at from outside, as its rather bland exterior on a corner next to Spitalfields doesn’t give any indication that The Commercial Tavern is any different from the typical British pub. But walk inside and you’re greeted with weird yet wonderful decor that turns “worn down” into a pleasing aesthetic choice.

Angel wings pinned to the walls as hunting trophies, different wallpaper panels working together almost like an impressionist painting, freshly upholstered second-hand furniture, eye-catching chandeliers, worn wooden floors, splotches on the walls – The Commercial Tavern feels almost like walking into a disused 17th century chateau that the owner abandoned but forgot to take their stuff with them. Definitely not something you’d imagine walking past the pub on your way from Spitalfields to Brick Lane.

Another curveball comes courtesy of the food menu, as The Commercial Tavern eschews traditional pub grub, instead offering sourdough pizzas with toppings such as chorizo, spicy ‘nduja, goat’s cheese and more. Surprisingly, the food isn’t just something to line your stomach with in anticipation of a long night – in fact, many punters have The Commercial Tavern high on their list of London places where you can reliably get a good pizza.

That’s not to say you don’t come here for the drinks, though. They’ve got ten taps featuring the usual craft suspects, such as Beavertown Neck Oil and Camden Pale Ale, as well as a varied selection of Belgian, German and other beers and ciders.