Empire Tavern in Hackney, East London, hosts private parties, receptions and company gatherings for 50 to 300 guests, in three set-ups: the Mezzanine, the Main Floor and the full venue. The pub diner stands at 289 Mare Street, next to the Hackney Empire and a short walk from Hackney Town Hall.
Seminars and company events
The venue presents itself for parties, family gatherings, receptions and private events, and its team builds food and drink packages around each group. For a company dinner or a team party, the Mezzanine is the smaller option and the Main Floor the mid-sized one. Full venue hire suits a larger staff party or a launch. The site does not describe a meeting or conference setup, so a seminar organiser should ask about screens, sound and daytime availability when enquiring. By day the Tavern runs as a coffee and co-working room, which gives a sense of the weekday atmosphere.
Weddings and receptions
Wedding receptions are listed among the events the Tavern hosts, with full wedding menus available. Hackney Town Hall is around the corner, which suits couples who marry locally and continue the day here. The team tailors the food and drink package, from canapés and sliders to a seated menu.
Rooms and capacities
The Mezzanine holds 50 seated or 80 standing and is available year-round. The Main Floor holds 60 seated or 150 standing, also year-round, although the venue tries to avoid pre-theatre times. Hiring the full venue takes the capacity up to 300.
Full venue hire has conditions. It requires a minimum of 150 guests, food must be ordered, and there is no minimum spend. Guests can bring their own music or DJ, or the venue can provide one at a cost. Availability can be affected by what is on at the Hackney Empire.
On Fridays and Saturdays the venue books its own music from 10 p.m. unless the whole venue is hired. Check this when planning a late finish.
Catering
The listed menus are the dining menu, small plates, a three-course menu, a banquet menu, event menus, canapés and finger food. The venue also names sliders and full wedding menus for larger events. The bar serves East London Brewing beer, wine and cocktails, and Flying Horse Coffee by day.
History and setting
The Tavern is a modern East London pub diner that mixes classic pub warmth with a nod to a 1970s New York diner. It sits in the heart of Hackney, beside the Hackney Empire and Hackney Town Hall, which makes it a practical base for an evening around a show.
Getting there
The address is 289 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ, in Hackney. Events enquiries go through the events team at the venue, and the site says the team replies within about 48 hours.
