Key Points
- Ryan’s N16, a family-owned Irish pub at 181 Stoke Newington Church Street in Hackney, East London, has closed after 32 years of operation since 1994.​
- Owner Ged announced the closure on the pub’s Instagram account (@ryansn16bar), stating it was “time to say goodbye” with final pints served from 2pm to 6pm on Sunday, December 28, 2025.​
- The announcement expressed gratitude to customers: “We want to thank all our lovely customers for the memories and boy there are a few! We hope to see some of customers Sunday to say goodbye.”​
- No specific reason was provided for the closure by Ged or any other representatives.​
- The pub was renowned for its lively atmosphere, large beer selection, massive hidden garden, seven screens for sports like Premier League and GAA matches, and community events including open mic nights, Pilates, and craft workshops.​
- Ryan’s N16 operated as a community-focused, independent venue serving locally sourced seasonal food, all-day Saturday breakfast, Sunday roasts, craft beer, cask ale, premium spirits, and a curated wine list.​
- It held a 4.2/5 rating on Tripadvisor from 54 reviews, ranked among London’s top restaurants, with features like full bar, outdoor seating, reservations, and television screens.​
- Opening hours prior to closure included Sundays 11:00-23:00, Mondays to Thursdays 15:00-00:00.​
- The closure aligns with broader UK pub industry struggles, with one pub closing daily in 2025 and over 400 in 2024 amid rising costs and post-pandemic challenges.​
- Last orders were called on December 28, 2025, marking the end of operations, as confirmed across multiple sources.​
Ryan’s N16, the beloved family-run Irish pub on Stoke Newington Church Street in Hackney, East London, has shuttered its doors after 32 years, with owner Ged calling last orders on December 28, 2025. The announcement, shared directly on the venue’s Instagram, offered no explanation for the decision but extended heartfelt thanks to loyal patrons for decades of memories. This closure reflects mounting pressures on independent pubs across the UK, where one venue has been shutting every day in 2025.
What Led to the Closure Announcement of Ryan’s N16?
As reported by staff writers at MyLondon in their article on the Hackney pub scene, Ryan’s N16 owner Ged shared the news via Instagram (@ryansn16bar), stating:
“After 32 great years it is time to say goodbye to Ryan’s N16. We will be pulling our final pints from 2pm – 6pm on Sunday the 28th of December 2025.”
Ged further noted:
“We want to thank all our lovely customers for the memories and boy there are a few! We hope to see some of you Sunday to say goodbye.”
No reason was disclosed for ending operations at the family-owned Irish boozer, which had stood as a staple since 1994.​
The London Minute newsletter, in its edition dated December 29, 2025, confirmed the timeline, reporting:
“It was ‘last orders’ last night at Ryan’s N16 bar on Stoke Newington’s Church Street, with owner Ged calling time on 32 years in business.”
Instagram posts from the pub’s official account echoed this, with captions like “Closing on 28th of December Last drinks 2pm – 6pm. It’s been a blast,” posted around December 10, 2025. Tripadvisor listings, updated as recently as November 2025, described the venue at 181 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0UL, as a “Stoke Newington staple for almost 25 years,” though operations extended to 32 years per the closure notice.​
Why Was Ryan’s N16 a Community Favourite in Hackney?
Ryan’s N16 earned its reputation through a vibrant mix of offerings tailored to locals. As detailed in the pub’s own description on its archived website (ryansn16.co.uk),
“Ryan’s Bar has been a Stoke Newington Community staple for 25 years. It began and remains family-owned, independent and community-focused, and we’re very proud of what we do.”
Behind the bar, staff emphasised passion for “great craft beer and cask ale, and stock a wide selection of premium spirits and carefully curated global wine list.”​
MyLondon highlighted its appeal as a “busy spot… beloved for its lively atmosphere, large selection of beer and massive hidden gem garden.” Sports enthusiasts flocked for its seven screens showing Premier League and GAA matches regularly. Community events further cemented its role, including open mic nights, Pilates sessions, and craft workshops, keeping it “community-focused at heart.” The kitchen served
“locally sourced seasonal food seven days a week, including all day Saturday breakfast and stunning Sunday roasts,”
available for lunch, dinner, and drinks at mid-range prices (££ – £££).​
Tripadvisor reviews, totalling 54 with a 4.2/5 average rating (ranked #6,622 of 19,906 London restaurants as of November 2025), praised features like full bar, outdoor seating, reservations, seating, alcohol service, and television. One reviewer noted its evolution from Thai food to “burgers and pub grub,” though service speeds varied. CAMRA’s pub listing underscored its Stoke Newington presence.​
What Did Ryan’s N16 Offer in Terms of Food, Drinks, and Events?
The pub’s menu and amenities catered broadly. Per Tripadvisor’s detailed profile, Ryan’s N16 specialised in Bar, British, and Pub cuisine, with meal types covering lunch, dinner, and drinks. Features included full bar, outdoor seating ideal for its hidden garden, reservations, seating, alcohol service, and multiple televisions—key for sports viewings.​
As per the official site, emphasis lay on “great beer” alongside premium spirits and wines. MyLondon noted its draw for sports fans with “seven screens and regular showing of Premier League and GAA matches.” Community programming featured “open mic nights, Pilates and craft workshops,” fostering a “lively atmosphere.” Operating hours pre-closure were Sunday 11:00-23:00, Monday-Thursday 15:00-00:00, with Friday and Saturday details aligning similarly.​
How Does Ryan’s N16 Closure Fit into the UK Pub Crisis?
This shutdown occurs amid a national downturn. As reported by The Independent’s home news team on December 22, 2025,
“Figures from trade bodies reveal that one pub will have closed its doors every single day in 2025, with more than 400 having closed down in 2024.”
Pub owners cited a “perfect storm” of post-pandemic struggles, rising prices, and “hostile financial measures brought in by successive governments.”​
Tom Hopkins, vice-chair of the Campaign for Pubs, told The Independent:
“I’m hearing from people who say they are really quiet and they are a bit worried. Some hope they’re going to get to Christmas Day, but don’t know if they will.”
In Crewe, Jacqui Ayling of Tom’s Tap and Brewhouse said:
“We cannot afford the overheads incurred by opening the pub for a session in the cold months, when our customers are less likely to come out on those days.”
Her husband Sean noted plans to close additional days. One unnamed landlord remarked:
“We’ll be closing early because there’s virtually no one around… It’s what you’d call a perfect storm.”​
Square Meal’s 2025 closures tracker listed other London venues like Cornerstone in Hackney, where chef Tom Brown cited unsustainable tasting menus and shifting diner tastes, though Pearly Queen persists. Lyle’s chef James Lowe expressed pride but moved to a 2026 project. A Reddit thread on r/Hackney discussed Baxter’s Court closure, with staff saying: “we love Hackney,” while depleting inventory.​
What Happens Next for Stoke Newington Church Street?
No future plans for the site at 181 Stoke Newington Church Street have been announced by Ged or associates. The Instagram farewell post from December 10, 2025, simply reflected: “It’s been a blast.” With final service ending at 6pm on December 28, 2025, the venue joins a wave of independents fading from London’s pub landscape.​
Local reactions remain centred on nostalgia, as Ged invited patrons for goodbyes. Broader coverage, including Tripadvisor’s ongoing listings and CAMRA recognition, preserves Ryan’s N16 legacy as a family-run gem. Industry voices like Hopkins warn of ongoing risks without policy shifts.
