Hand of Glory

🚇 Rectory Road 🍺 £5.90 Milk Lager The Hand of Glory is located close to Hackney Downs in East London. The nearest station is Rectory Road. Built in 1837 as the Amhurst Arms, this ex-Watney’s pub is now Grade II listed. After several reinventions as wine bars in the early 2000s (De Bysto, Osto, and Oro), it reopened in 2014 as The Hand of Glory, sister pub to The Victoria in Dalston. The pub’s unusual name comes from 16th-century English and French folklore about a thief’s tool made from a dead criminal’s hand, said to knock people unconscious and aid burglary—now surviving mainly in stories, museums, and pub signs. This is a small, intimate pub set out in an ‘L’ shape, with the servery centrally located, seating areas to the left and right, a pool table at the rear, and, at the back of the pub, a tidy covered and heated beer garden. The decor is traditional with a bohemian feel, featuring bare-boarded floors, white walls with slate-grey lower sections, rustic bench seating, eclectic artwork and pagan symbols, bunches of hops, and a unique glass cabinet filled with empty gun cartridges and ammo boxes. The beer selection is all keg and is a mix of premium, well-known brands and local independent brews. I decided on a Milk Lager; my pint was decent enough and the price point was just below average. The food option here is Yard Sale Pizza, who will deliver your order to the pub. We arrived just after 3:30pm on a chilly Saturday in February. A few groups were dotted around—some lads heading to a gig, a couple by the pool table, and others in the garden. The atmosphere was calm and easy to settle into, and the service was friendly and welcoming. There is free pool on Mondays, a pub quiz on Tuesdays, live folk sessions every Wednesday, and DJ sets on Fridays and Saturdays. This is a very intimate and cosy pub that will probably appeal to a younger crowd. I found the décor really interesting and unique, as well as the story behind the name of the pub. There’s a good choice of beers, and plenty to keep you entertained. We enjoyed our time here—it’s well worth a look if you’re in the area. 📅 7th February 2026

4 months ago · via Google

Free pool on mondays and enthusiastic bar staff, never had to wait longer than 30 seconds even on busier days. Music is always on point too. Also enjoy using it as a midpoint before starting a night out into hackney/dalston

4 months ago · via Google

Incredible pub, I come here almost everyday! Delicious roasts, the pork belly actually had crispy crackling. Bar staff are so cute, fun and kind. Always fun to have a boogie! Will the loo roll holders ever be fixed?! Probably not, but I don’t even care. Legendary pub all round

9 months ago · via Google

Really great, cozy neighborhood pub. I wanted to get hammered but I ate a huge Italian meal before hand and just was able to knock down only one IPA. Well, I’m going back for more. Next time I’m going to dive into the 12 quid shot menu. Three shots for twelve quid. I’m in!

a year ago · via Google