Mason & Taylor Bar / Lounge / Pub / Restaurant

Shoreditch / Brick Lane, London –

Little more separates Mason & Taylor from the hustle and bustle of East London than its floor-to-ceiling windows, but inside awaits a bar dedicated to craft beer and a vibe that’s as relaxed as the taps are frothy.

Vintage lampshades and exposed bulbs hang low over the warehouse space, the better for ale enthusiasts to peruse the intricacies of the ever-changing beer menu.

The ground floor bar is the central feature and is stocked with locally sourced micros, rare bottled ales, and unique ciders in ceramic flagons. The shelves stacked with an array of serving vessels are only outshone by the variety of hops on offer, namely the twelve drafts that complement the forty bottled beers, many sourced locally and others coming from as far afield as Australia.

Early evenings draw a mixed crowd, from late-30s professionals reading the paper and MacBook-toting students aiding their studies with some bottomless coffee to couples enjoying tapas-style dishes like slow braised lamb shoulder at the small square tables.

The scene livens up on Fridays and Saturdays as dressed-down clubbers make their way to the surprisingly large downstairs bar, a sparsely decorated space full of soft brown leather couches and featuring DJs spinning a mix of retro indie for the hyper but clearly drink-discerning crowd.

With its attention to detail and cozy ambiance, Mason & Taylor is like an unpretentious wine bar with a twist – the twist being a whole lot of great beer.