Let’s face it — the days of sitting in a dim bar nursing a basic G&T while shouting over bad music are numbered. Londoners want more from their nights out. We want flavour, fun, and a reason to tell Monday’s office Slack channel: “You had to be there.” And when it comes to cocktail bars with actual entertainment value, Stratford London is quietly killing the game.

Stratford isn’t just shopping centres and Olympic leftovers. It’s evolved into one of East London’s most playful nightlife neighbourhoods — the kind of place where you can sip a smoky mezcal negroni and smash ping pong balls through a glowing arcade, all within 10 minutes of the Central Line.

This isn’t about watered-down happy hour specials or overpriced martinis in rooms that take themselves too seriously. These are cocktail bars in Stratford London with activities worth bragging about — places where the drinks are well-made, the vibes are high, and the night comes with a side of something memorable. From rooftop golf and interactive cricket cages to board games, DJs, karaoke, and distillery tours, this list is built for people who don’t just want to “grab a drink” — they want an experience.

You’ll find canal-side cocktails, rooftop sunsets, and bartenders who actually know their rye from their rum. Whether you’re planning a Friday blowout, a team night, or just need something fresh to break up the week, these venues have you covered — with both a great drink and a great story to go with it.

So ditch the dull pint. Stratford’s got cocktail bars with more to offer — and we’re starting with a place that serves cricket swings with your side of tequila.

1. Sixes at Riverside East Stratford: Cocktails with a Competitive Twist

You’ve had a cocktail. You’ve played a game. But have you ever done both while facing a 90mph virtual bouncer? At Sixes at Riverside East Stratford, that’s just your Tuesday night. Located canal-side at Riverside East, this is where activity bar meets premium drinks experience — and yes, it absolutely lives up to the hype.

The star attraction is the interactive cricket nets. Step in, choose your bowler (from casual to brutal), and see if you can beat your mates in a fast-paced digital batting challenge. You’ll be swinging a real bat at projected deliveries while your friends laugh, heckle, and film your glorious six — or inevitable duck.

But don’t let the fun fool you. The bar at Sixes takes its drinks seriously. Expect expertly made cocktails, seasonal specials, and a full menu of spirits, wines and craft beers. The cocktail list leans playful but high-quality — think fruity twists, bold smokiness, and drinks that match the venue’s energy without sacrificing balance.

And if you’re more into sipping than swinging? That’s fine too. The venue has plenty of space to chill, socialise, and take in the action. There’s full table service to the nets, a solid playlist, and a menu of burgers, pizzas and sharing plates to keep you fuelled between innings.

In the world of cocktail bars in Stratford London with activities worth bragging about, Sixes at Riverside East Stratford hits every mark. It’s immersive without being intense, stylish without being smug, and offers the kind of night out you’ll still be talking about next week. Bring mates, bring dates, bring your game face — and maybe a bit of hand–eye coordination.

2. Union Social at The Gantry: Terrace Cocktails with Serious Style

Perched inside The Gantry Hotel, Union Social doesn’t scream for your attention — it earns it. This is the cocktail bar you suggest when someone says “I just want somewhere nice” but they also secretly want somewhere cool. It’s elegant, yes, but also surprisingly fun, with enough style to impress and enough substance to bring you back.

The space flows between an open-plan lounge, buzzing bar, chef’s counter, and expansive terrace with skyline views. You’re not boxed in here — you’re free to move, mingle, and soak up a vibe that feels like East London on its best behaviour. The décor pops with colour, murals from local artists, and lush greenery, setting the scene for cocktails that are every bit as expressive.

Union Social’s drinks menu is inventive but never gimmicky. Their bartenders know their craft — you’ll get perfectly balanced negronis, seasonal spritzes, and smoky mezcal sippers served with flair, not fuss. Pair that with small plates from the open kitchen (tuna tostadas, burrata with pickled pears, or spiced lamb sliders), and you’ve got yourself a reason to linger.

While there aren’t arcade games or karaoke booths here, the real activity is conversation. It’s a cocktail bar that makes hanging out feel like the main event — the kind of place where you might spot a few laptops in the afternoon and champagne flutes by sundown. DJs pop in on weekends, giving the space a subtle pulse without tipping into full-on party mode.

In Stratford London, cocktail bars often lean hard into novelty. Union Social doesn’t need to. It’s stylish, social, and surprisingly unpretentious — a place where good drinks, good lighting, and good company are the only activities you need.

3. Darkhorse Restaurant Bar: Underground Vibes, Elevated Cocktails

Just a short walk from Stratford station in East Village, Darkhorse offers something more intimate — and a bit more mysterious. Tucked away on the ground floor of a modern block, this moody cocktail den and restaurant is the sort of place you discover once, then keep to yourself. It’s got that neighbourhood secret sauce: candlelit corners, low ceilings, and a sense of calm that hits the second you step in.

But don’t let the quiet confidence fool you. Darkhorse brings serious game behind the bar. The cocktail list is tight, expertly executed, and always seasonal. They do the classics right — negronis, martinis, old fashioneds — but aren’t afraid to experiment with infused spirits, herbaceous liqueurs, and unexpected garnishes. Every drink arrives with intention, and the service walks the line between attentive and discreet.

Where’s the activity, you ask? It’s all about conversation. This isn’t a place for darts or DJs — it’s a space designed for deep chats, big dates, and post-theatre drinks that go well past closing time. The energy is slower, the acoustics kind, and the whole experience feels more grown-up than most of Stratford’s louder venues.

If you do decide to make an evening of it, the food here is worth your time — think ribeye steaks, grilled octopus, and house-made desserts. There’s no sense of being rushed, and that’s half the charm.

In the list of cocktail bars in Stratford London with activities worth bragging about, Darkhorse proves that not all activity has to be loud. Sometimes, the best nights come from a dim booth, a proper drink, and a conversation that flows better than anything on tap.

4. The Print House at Jim & Tonic East: Distillery Cool, Canal-Side Views

If your idea of a great night includes a killer cocktail and something to talk about after, The Print House at Jim & Tonic East has you sorted. This venue isn’t just a bar — it’s part of a working distillery and street food hub, sitting right along the River Lea in Stratford. You’re not just ordering a gin here — you’re drinking it metres away from where it’s distilled.

Let’s start with the drinks. Jim & Tonic’s own spirits anchor the menu, which means you’re getting house-distilled gins, craft cocktails with precision, and an ever-evolving list of creative serves that shift with the seasons. Expect twists on classics (a coriander G&T? yes please), clever use of botanicals, and bar staff who know exactly how to steer your order if you’re feeling indecisive.

But it’s not just about the sipping — the vibe here is active. There are regular gin tastings, distillery tours, DJ sets, and even pop-up markets and community events that keep things fresh. The venue spills out onto a huge terrace, dotted with festoon lighting, canal views, and enough space to turn casual drinks into a six-hour hang.

You’ll find food vendors here too — anything from bao buns to wood-fired pizza — making it ideal for groups who want to drink, snack, and vibe without needing a formal booking. It’s casual, confident, and very Stratford in the best way.

Among cocktail bars in Stratford London with activities worth bragging about, The Print House lands firmly in the top tier. Whether you’re there to geek out over gin, catch a live set, or just lean back with something sharp and citrusy, you’ll leave wishing more bars had this much going on — without ever feeling overcrowded.

5. Roof East: Playful Cocktails Above the Skyline

You haven’t truly done Stratford until you’ve had a cocktail under the sky at Roof East. What started as a pop-up bar atop a multi-storey car park has turned into one of London’s most unique rooftop playgrounds. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, it’s colourful — and it’s absolutely brilliant.

At first glance, you might not associate crazy golf and batting cages with good cocktails. But Roof East is all about balancing the unexpected. Yes, you can take swings in a cricket cage. Yes, you can challenge your mate to a game of cornhole or shuffleboard. But you can also sit with a well-made negroni, enjoy the sunset, and soak in some of the most surprising skyline views this side of East London.

The bar rotates seasonal menus, often themed around pop culture or summer classics — think frozen margaritas, fruity spritzes, and punchy tiki concoctions served in oversized cups. The staff know how to keep queues moving, and the entire setup feels like a grown-up carnival with a license to pour.

You don’t need to play the games to enjoy the space, but they’re there — and they’re genuinely fun. Whether it’s the rooftop cinema, group golf challenges, or just lounging on the astroturf with a cocktail in hand, the “activity” part of Roof East is what turns a casual drink into a proper night out.

Among cocktail bars in Stratford London with activities worth bragging about, Roof East is the loudest, most chaotic sibling — and the one you’ll be dragging your friends back to all summer. Bring layers, bring energy, and definitely bring your phone. There’s a lot to capture.

6. Escape Bar Stratford: Cocktails, Quizzes and Console Wars

There’s something brilliantly nostalgic about Escape Bar Stratford — and we mean that in the best possible way. This isn’t your polished, influencer-ready cocktail lounge. It’s a cosy, welcoming, slightly chaotic bar where board games, video games, and themed nights are the main draw — along with a seriously solid drinks menu.

Tucked away on West Ham Lane, Escape is a hidden gem for those who prefer their evenings with a side of Mario Kart and craft cocktails. The bar serves everything from classics like mojitos and espresso martinis to house specials that lean playful without being over the top. And yes, the prices are friendlier than most of Stratford’s shinier spots.

The real fun, though, is in the venue’s packed calendar. Weekly pub quizzes, karaoke nights, retro game tournaments, and even open mic comedy make this the kind of bar where no two visits feel the same. There’s an entire shelf of board games, retro consoles ready to go, and couches that invite long conversations, spontaneous singalongs, or late-night debates over Trivial Pursuit.

It’s perfect for groups — especially the kind that includes a few introverts, some extroverts, and that one mate who always tries to do a dramatic monologue at karaoke. You’re not judged here. You’re encouraged.

Escape isn’t flashy. But that’s its charm. It’s a bar built for real people who want real fun, without having to dress up or break the bank. For cocktail bars in Stratford London with activities worth bragging about, Escape Bar punches well above its weight — and probably hands you a controller too.

7. The Mezzanine at The Stratford Hotel: Late-Night Cocktails with a Pulse

If you’re after a cocktail bar that brings a bit of nightlife drama without the downsides of clubbing, The Mezzanine at The Stratford Hotel is where your evening should end — or maybe just begin. Tucked upstairs in the sleek and modern Stratford Hotel, this high-end lounge walks the line between opulence and energy, offering a bar experience that’s equal parts elegant and exciting.

The cocktail list is precise, beautifully curated, and clearly crafted by people who understand balance. You’ll find everything from bitter amaro-based aperitifs to layered, smoky signature drinks that feel like they belong in central London’s top-tier bars. Drinks arrive beautifully garnished, and service never slips, even on busy nights.

But it’s the atmosphere that elevates The Mezzanine. On Friday and Saturday nights, DJs bring deep house and chilled funk into the room, building a vibe that’s social but not sweaty. You can dance, sure — but you can also sit back in one of the plush armchairs, sip a negroni, and feel like you’ve stumbled into a members’ club that forgot to check for ID.

There’s no “activity” in the traditional sense here — no ping pong, no quizzes, no karaoke. The activity is the vibe. It’s the curated lighting, the music that never drowns you out, the clink of glasses in low light. It’s the sort of place where a drink becomes a full experience.

As cocktail bars in Stratford London with activities worth bragging about go, The Mezzanine is the polished, late-night exclamation mark. Come for the cocktails. Stay for the soundtrack. Leave when you’ve officially run out of reasons to go home.

Why Cocktail Bars in Stratford London Are Finally Getting It Right

Stratford used to be the place you passed through. Now it’s where you pause, stay, and send a dozen “you have to come here” texts. And nowhere is that transformation more evident than in its cocktail scene. But Stratford isn’t just mixing better drinks — it’s mixing in reasons to stay.

The cocktail bars here understand the assignment. They’re not content with polished countertops and overpriced sours. Instead, they’re giving you rooftop views, interactive games, live DJs, quiz nights, board games, cricket nets, and even riverside gin tastings. In short? Stratford’s cocktail bars come with activities worth bragging about.

Think of Sixes at Riverside East Stratford, where your night includes batting against virtual bowlers between cocktails. Or Roof East, which is one part sky bar, one part adult playground. There’s Jim & Tonic at The Print House, where you’re sipping spirits made on-site, and Escape Bar Stratford, where cocktails come with a side of Mario Kart or quiz-night glory.

Then there’s Union Social, Darkhorse, and The Mezzanine — proof that Stratford can do sleek, social and sophisticated just as well as it can do lively and laid-back. These are spaces that feel curated, not corporate. Bars where the drinks are crafted but the energy is natural.

Stratford’s rise as a cocktail destination is no accident. It’s been fuelled by creativity, community, and a clear desire to make nights out better — not just boozier. So whether you’re chasing a rooftop vibe, a DJ set, or just somewhere to finally beat your mate at shuffleboard, you’ll find it here.

Because cocktail bars in Stratford London aren’t just good now. They’re fun, inclusive, and — finally — worth planning a whole night around.