The Star of Bethnal Green

Just what London needs - another East End pub attempting to be all things to all people. The Star of Bethnal Green sits there on Bethnal Green Road, trying desperately to convince us it's both a proper boozer and some sort of karaoke-cocktail-craft-beer wonderland. I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly got stuck when I first walked in, fully prepared to write yet another scathing review of a place trying too hard to be cool.

But damn it all if this place hasn't wormed its way into my cold, cynical heart.

Maybe it was the moment I realized the staff actually know their stuff about beer, casually dropping knowledge about local craft breweries without the pretentious sermon you get at those insufferable gastropubs. Or perhaps it was watching a group of silver-haired regulars harmoniously coexisting with the twenty-somethings belting out power ballads in the karaoke rooms upstairs. The Star of Bethnal Green has somehow managed to pull off what countless London venues have failed at - being genuinely inclusive without feeling forced.

Let's talk about those karaoke rooms, shall we? I was fully prepared to mock them mercilessly, but they're actually... well-designed? The soundproofing isn't perfect (you might catch snippets of someone murdering "Sweet Caroline" while using the loo), but each room feels like its own little universe. The song selection is vast enough to satisfy both your friend who only knows Disney tunes and your other friend who exclusively sings obscure B-sides from 90s grunge bands.

The drinks list deserves mention, if only because it manages to thread the needle between "proper pub" and "actually decent cocktails." Yes, you can get your craft IPA or your fancy gin concoction, but you can also order a perfectly respectable pint of bitter without getting judged. The prices won't make you gasp in horror or question if you've accidentally wandered into Mayfair, though they're definitely reflecting the creeping gentrification of the area.

The space itself is a study in successful schizophrenia. Downstairs maintains that classic pub atmosphere - worn wood, comfortable corners, the kind of place where you could watch the football without feeling like you're in a sports bar. Upstairs transforms into something more contemporary, but without the trying-too-hard vibe that plagues so many similar venues. It's like the pub equivalent of that friend who can seamlessly shift from pub quiz to poetry reading without changing personality.

They've managed to nail the basics too. The staff actually seem to enjoy their jobs (a miracle in London hospitality), the loos are clean (another miracle), and there's proper ventilation (a third miracle - we're approaching biblical territory here). Even the outdoor seating area manages to be pleasant without being precious.

What really gets me though - and I'm annoyed to admit this - is how The Star of Bethnal Green has become something of a neighborhood cornerstone without making a big fuss about it. They host events that actually matter to the community, not just whatever's trending on social media. The mix of people you'll find here on any given night feels organic rather than curated.

Let's be practical for a moment. Yes, you should book the karaoke rooms in advance, especially on weekends. Yes, it gets busy during peak hours (because apparently other people have discovered it too, much to my chagrin). And yes, you might want to grab food before you come - while they do serve some decent pub grub, that's not really the main event here.

Look, I didn't want to like The Star of Bethnal Green. I really didn't. But much like that friend who keeps dragging you to karaoke night despite your protests, it's worn down my resistance through sheer charm and consistency. If you're in this corner of London and looking for a pub that somehow manages to be both a proper local and a decent night out, you might as well give in now. I did, and I'm only slightly embarrassed to admit it's become one of my regular haunts. Just don't tell anyone I sent you - I have a reputation to maintain.