The Reliance

Reviews

• Jennifer R.

  star star star star star 13 June 2026

  Decently comfortable bar in the heart of Shoreditch. Not too crowded, music wasn't too loud, and the bathrooms had a vending machine with panty hose.
  
  As someone who generally prefers to sit down and chat with a drink rather than spend my night screaming at my bartender and my friends while shimmying to the latest top 40 hits I was pleased to find this place busy but not heaving on a Friday night. Wait for drinks was short and I was able to tell the bartender what I wanted at a comfortable level.
  
  Music inside was good. Vibe was friendly and my friends and I chatted in a corner with drinks (standard priced bottles from their fridge, nothing special but also not unwelcome) until 1am, when we then realised we'd missed the last tube home and needed to make our way onto a night bus or order an uber. If that's not a successful end to a Friday night then I don't know what is.

• Matt F.

  star star star star star_border 10 June 2026

  I've been here quite a few times.  I think it must be less trendy than it was and it's definitely less packed.  On a Saturday night we got a table upstairs. Where it was relaxed and comfortable and very pubby indeed, perfect for a quiet night out with friends with beards.
  
  They have quite a good range of beers, though the pint of Yakima Red was definitely nothing like the best I've had.  I switched to one of their Czech lagers and was happy.  I think maybe I'd agree with some of the other reviewers that some of their staff could do with a friendliness transplant.

• Dia D.

  star star star star_border star_border 30 May 2026

  We were staying at the Hoxton Hotel so I am unfamiliar with other pubs in the area.
  
  We had a decent meal here of the steak, Mediterranean platter, goat cheese tart, small glass of wine, and 2 pints for £44. The food arrived quickly and the portions were large. The service was friendly and quick. Their credit card machine wasn't working though so we had to pay cash.

• Natalie W.

  star star star star star_border 23 May 2026

  Argh, had quite a night here. Says a lot about the pub that none of my property went missing, including the wallet I left on the bar for another half an hour - that's the last time I take my chances like that though!
  
  Presently surprised by the prices, slightly cheaper if anything than my locals in Bethnal Green. Staff were also really nice and getting served was not too bad even on a packed Friday. It's really nice when it's a bit quieter though, very cosy.

• Wayne H.

  star star star star_border star_border 15 May 2026

  Cozy and civilized. Ideal for chit chat over a pint or kicking back after a long day.
  
  As I understand it the Reliance is a favorite watering hole for creative and media types. It is, after all, located in the heart of Shoreditch.
  
  The place is never too crowded so as to make the bar unapproachable; the music is set to a sane volume so conversations can still be had.
  
  Really chill place over all.