Autumn is a good excuse to gather your people after work: colleagues ready to clock off, friends catching up, or a group looking for somewhere to make Halloween plans over a drink. At The Running Horse, close to Aldgate East station, you can settle in for craft beer, cocktails and food made for sharing, with semi-private spaces for groups who want a little room of their own.
There’s no need to make a big occasion of it. Choose a table for a relaxed catch-up, or ask about a space for a larger gathering. The pub’s City energy and open kitchen make it a lively setting for an evening that can start with one round and turn into dinner.
Find your corner of the pub
For a group after a space that feels like its own while staying close to the action, The Stables is elevated above the main floor and cornered off from the rest of the pub. It accommodates 20 seated or 40 standing, making it a fit for team drinks, birthdays and informal celebrations.
The Yard sits by the main bar, with high tables and bench seating. It can accommodate 45 seated or 80 standing, and the space can be broken up for smaller groups. It’s a natural choice if your plans centre on drinks, conversation and being in the heart of the pub.
If food is the main event, The Paddock is tucked by the open kitchen, with the rotisserie and grill in view. It accommodates 40 seated or 50 standing, with sharing platters suited to a group gathering. For a smaller sit-down get-together, the elevated Grandstand seats 12 or holds 20 standing.
Put something on the table
The Running Horse’s kitchen brings fire and flavour to the menu. Free-range chickens are brined for 12 hours, then roasted over hot coals; order half or whole with fries. Smash burgers bring another hearty option, while buttermilk chicken strips come with buffalo or gravy for dunking. There’s also a curated hot sauce selection, ranging from pain level 2 to 10+ for anyone who likes a little challenge with their meal.
For a shared spread, the Running Horse Sharing Platter brings together padrón peppers, popcorn calamari, mini chorizo in hot honey, and cheese whip with tortilla chips. It gives everyone a reason to reach across the table and keeps the evening informal. If you’re organising a group, ask the events team about flexible menus and the options available for your plans.
Drinks for the end of the day
A round of craft beer from the rotating taps, or a well-made cocktail from the bar, gives the evening an easy starting point. The drinks work just as well alongside a platter as they do for a catch-up that’s mostly about conversation. If your group would like drinks arranged in advance, pre-ordering drinks is available for private hire enquiries.
Whether it’s a Halloween get-together or simply an autumn evening with colleagues, you can keep the plan as low-key or as organised as you like. The semi-private areas offer a group its own corner without taking it away from the buzz of the pub; for a larger occasion, full venue hire accommodates up to 200 guests.
Make a plan in Aldgate
The Running Horse is a handy place to meet after work, just a stone’s throw from Aldgate East station. Pick a space that suits your group, decide whether you’re gathering around drinks or sharing food, and let the team help with the details. For a group table or private hire, book or enquire through The Running Horse website.