Christoff.ai

The Craft Beer Co. St Mary Axe

bars•
London
London

The Craft Beer Co. St Mary Axe

29-31 Mitre Street, London EC3A 5BU, United Kingdom

Interactive map
Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked down a quiet Mitre Street side-street, this compact two-floor craft beer haven delivers serious brewing credentials just two minutes from Aldgate tube. With the iconic Gherkin looming overhead and an impressive 27 rotating draught lines, it's carved out a reputation as one of the City's most reliable after-work destinations for discerning beer drinkers.

The Craft Beer Co. St Mary Axe: A City Beer Sanctuary in the Gherkin's Shadow

Where 27 rotating taps meet proper pub atmosphere in the heart of London's financial district

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The ground floor immediately impresses with its exposed brick walls, antique brewery mirrors, and vintage memorabilia that create authentic vintage pub vibes without feeling contrived. The modest space buzzes with energy, particularly from 5pm onwards when City professionals pile in for their post-work pints, creating that perfect after-work hangout atmosphere with a classic rock soundtrack that doesn't overpower conversation. The downstairs lounge, while equally sized, presents a stark contrast - it can feel disappointingly cold and empty, which seems to be a consistent issue. However, the large outdoor seating area becomes the venue's secret weapon when weather permits, offering standing room with prime Gherkin views. The overall vibe scores highly on energy and social atmosphere, making it genuinely conversation-friendly despite the buzzy environment. It's casual enough for tourists but sophisticated enough for the knowledgeable craft beer crowd that frequents it.

Food & Drink

The food offering is refreshingly honest about what it is - proper pub grub rather than ambitious gastronomy. The menu focuses on classic bar snacks including pork pies, scotch eggs, scratchings, and sharing platters, with cheese boards adding a touch more sophistication. For heartier appetites, there are burgers, hot dogs, and Sunday roasts available. While the food clearly isn't the main attraction, it serves its purpose well as accompaniment to the stellar beer selection. The real star here is undoubtedly the drink offering: 27 rotating draught lines split between 9 cask and 18 keg options, showcasing UK, US, and Scandinavian craft beers. Add to this over 200 bottles and cans plus global spirits, and you've got a serious beer destination. The rotating nature means there's always something new to discover, making repeat visits worthwhile for any craft beer enthusiast.

Service & Experience

The staff here genuinely know their craft, offering tastings and recommendations that demonstrate real expertise rather than just enthusiasm. This knowledgeable approach extends to proper beer sommelier service, which elevates the experience significantly above your average boozer. During peak times, they provide table service, which is a thoughtful touch when the venue gets busy. The friendly, helpful approach has earned consistent praise from visitors, and the willingness to offer tastings shows confidence in their selection and genuine care for customer satisfaction.

Value for Money

Pricing sits firmly in the 'city premium' category but remains within 'after-work affordable' territory for most. Cask beers run £6-6.50 per pint, while keg options stretch from £7-10 per pint - some find these keg prices steep, which is a fair criticism. Bottles and cans range from £5-12, with snacks priced between £3-8. Given the prime City location, expert curation, and quality of the selection, the pricing feels justified, though it's certainly not cheap. The value proposition improves significantly when you factor in the staff expertise and tasting opportunities, which can help you discover new favorites rather than expensive disappointments.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Hit the venue around 5pm when the after-work crowd creates that perfect buzzy atmosphere - arrive earlier for a quieter experience. Note that it's weekday-only operation (Monday-Friday, closed weekends), with Thursday-Friday offering extended hours until 11pm versus 10pm Monday-Wednesday.

What to Focus On

Take advantage of the staff's expertise and ask for tastings of the rotating draught selection, particularly focusing on the cask offerings which represent excellent value. The UK craft selections tend to be particularly strong.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Grab the outdoor standing area early for optimal Gherkin views and beer sampling - it's the venue's best feature when weather cooperatesAvoid the downstairs area unless absolutely necessary as it consistently feels cold and emptyThe venue can accommodate private weekday events for up to 150 standing guests if you're planning corporate functions

The Final Verdict

The Craft Beer Co. St Mary Axe succeeds brilliantly at what it sets out to do: provide serious craft beer credentials in a proper pub atmosphere within the City's financial heart. The 27 rotating taps and expert staff recommendations make it a genuine destination for beer enthusiasts, while the buzzy after-work atmosphere ensures it never feels stuffy or pretentious. Yes, the keg prices can sting and the downstairs feels neglected, but the ground floor and outdoor area more than compensate. It's earned its reputation as a reliable, quality option in an area not exactly overflowing with characterful alternatives.

Christoff's Rating:
7.2/10

Perfect For:

City professionals seeking quality after-work drinksCraft beer enthusiasts wanting expert curation and tastingsCorporate groups planning weekday events with proper beer credentials

Quick Details

1

The Craft Beer Co. St Mary Axe

⭐️ Craft beer
⭐️ 27 taps
⭐️ City location
⭐️ Gherkin shadow
⭐️ Beer tastings

Twenty-seven rotating taps create a craft beer paradise directly under the Gherkin's shadow, where knowledgeable staff offer tastings that turn casual drinkers into hop converts. The exposed brick and vintage brewery mirrors create proper pub atmosphere while UK, US, and Scandinavian craft beers rotate through the lines daily. After-work crowds make it lively and loud by 5pm as City professionals decompress with expert recommendations. The outdoor seating area provides standing room when weather permits, perfect for post-work networking sessions. Cask beers flow alongside 200+ bottles and cans while friendly staff guide interactive tastings. The ground floor buzzes with classic rock soundtracks while the downstairs lounge offers quieter conversation space, though it can feel empty during off-peak hours.

What's Great

✓ 27 rotating craft beer lines with expert staff offering tastings

✓ Prime City location with outdoor seating under the Gherkin

Keep in Mind

× Currently not wheelchair accessible and downstairs area often feels cold and empty

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Hit the 5pm spawn time when the after-work crowd drops in - grab the outdoor standing area for optimal beer tasting quest completion

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Wed: 12pm-10pm\nThu-Fri: 12pm-11pm\nSat-Sun: Closed"
📍29-31 Mitre Street, London EC3A 5BU, United Kingdom
💷£££
📞+44 20 7283 0111
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

The Craft Beer Co. St Mary Axe has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

After Work Bars London: Where City Professionals Actually Drink reference image

After Work Bars London: Where City Professionals Actually Drink

bars in london•
Aug 21, 2025
← More bars in London← Explore all of London