The Dolphin

Nuts

07 May 08, 17:19 As expected

The Dolphin is plain nuts. It's worth going just see the special people who live in this area of Hackney (and I count myself among them). Especially great are the foul bathrooms, terrible pool table and clientele straight out of Prisoner Cell Block H. Classy.

They're opening a restaurant next door too.. can't wait

A great dive

07 Aug 07, 09:17 Above expectations

The Dolphin is not somewhere to take someone on a first date. It's low down and dirty as pubs go. To be fair, whilst the gentrification of Hackney has it's effect on places like the Cat and Mutton, turning them into gastro pubs with djs, the Dolphin hasn't been completely unaffected. They haven't decorated or anything drastic like that - it's still a fairly grotty pub with some interesting decor. But now it firmly has its place in the London Fields circuit. All roads lead to the Dolphin, come chucking out time at all the other pubs. Whilst this leads to a fairly interesting mix of people, especially late on, it does also mean that they've started charging on the door.

Best karaoke pub in Hackney

01 May 07, 20:43 Above expectations

Dodgy old men’s pub with late licence and brilliant karaoke on Saturday and Sunday nights. Currently frequented by fun mix of old dudes, arty types, underage fashionistas and girls in fifties dresses. Rammed at weekends after 11.