Three Compasses

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Dalston's got no shortage of cool but manufactured places to hang out. The Three Compasses manages to feel trendy even though its interior hasn't changed much in decades.

That's the charm of the place — a rare survivor from the time when pubs had few bells and whistles, other than the bell for closing time. It feels like a genuine slice of the 60s, or the 70s, or the 80s, or... we're not even sure what decade. Wooden surfaces are everywhere; fittingly for a pub that trades under the sign of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters. It just feels good, and homely, and very human.

That's not to say the 3Cs hasn't moved with the times in its catering. We clocked three or four interesting tipples on the keg taps, from nearby Hackney Brewery and Crate Brewery. The food menu is occupied mostly with burgers and buffalo wings, and with a tempting selection (wittily dubbed the 'Moral Compasses') for vegetarians.