The Shacklewell Arms, Stoke Newington, London

Went here to see some bands recently.
The main bar is relaxed with friendly staff. Ale was well kept and served in tankards. Music was pretty cool (Dinosaur Jr) and not too loud. The back room showcases bands and club nights, the sound was excellent.
I’ll definitely be back here in the near future!

Something for everyone here – early on you can hang out and have some quiet pints and a game of pool. Or you come in later, already drunk and dance out the back.
Beer garden means you can drink and smoke – which is always an extra point in my books.
Young, trendy, local patrons – theres always a wall of fixies on the fence nearby.

Recently taken over by the brains behind Adventures in the Beetroot Field, Shacklewell Arms is slowly turning into Dalston’s answer to the Lock Tavern.

With regular gigs, club nights and even jumble sales there is always a buzz of activity here until around 3am and the sheltered garden means the weather will never send you running for cover.

It’s definitely off the beaten track but often this is better as it means its never jam packed to the rafters if what your after is a casual drink and perhaps a little booty-shaking with friends.

New owners as of April 2011! Very happy about this as it's my geographical local. While the interior is largely untouched (retaining it's character), the pub has undergone a philosophical transformation.

The emphasis is on good music and good people. The opening night was really busy with lot's of Dalston and East End trendy types, but the football was still playing (no commentary, but plenty of screens - weekend matches will have commentary, I was told).

Great little outdoor space, great friendly bar staff, great music! Excellent addition to Shacklewell and Dalston.

the shaclewell arms has re-opened under new owners not sure who they are , but the place is rocking, cant believe tom from the horrors is djing there AMAZING!!!!!

I went here for a 90s rave night in February '10. I don't know what the actual pub is like, but I went to the backroom which hosts various clubnights and you enter round the side of the pub.

Although the space itself was really good it was badly let down by the price of drinks and soundsystem. Mixer & vodka was £3.30 - you might not think that's too bad, but it was a tiny amount served in a really ropey watercooler style white cup. Only one set of speakers in the venue worked and this led to the night gathering no atmosphere as the music couldn't get loud enough and was really muffled. The power kept cutting out on the DJ booth too. It's a shame as otherwise the night would have been really fun. We left as it wasn't enjoyable having to strain to hear the music.

Dirty, grimy and a little bit rough sums this bar nicely although as with many up and coming Dalston bars, mixes the trash of Dalston with the Bohemia of Brick Lane. Open late nights, with friendly bouncers and scary looking bar staff who serve mean shooters and rarely smile. Electro lovers prick your ears up now, as this is the new monthly home of the Replicants, bringing a deluge of dirty beats to your eardrums. In summary: hardcore in the main room but take the edge off in the expansive smoking area, littered with all sorts of fountain paraphernalia to become fixated with when wasted. The choice is your whether you take Johnny Borrell's advice...

nice bar most customers from west indies,no real ale or food but very late licence weekends with good music and very often free entry’

Shacklewell Arms happens to be a pub at the front and a club at the back the pub runs like an ordinary pub but round about 10pm the pub door closes and the back door open for BG’s Club It’s a socca club drinks are quite expensive at around £3 each depending on what you buy. After 11pm its £5 (basic price) to enter and it opens till 5am. The majority that attend this club are between 24 up to 40 plus who like socca music, to socialise dance and have a good time. Last I heard they serve free food. Used to be a very good venue people don't say it's good any more the people who used to come don't come anymore prices go up some nights.