🤘 UP THE IRONS, LONDON – MAIDEN ARE COMING FOR YOU!
The beast is back! Iron Maiden are storming into London Stadium, and every self-respecting Trooper is gearing up for a night of heavy metal majesty, epic solos, pyro madness, and Bruce bloody Dickinson defying the laws of time and space.
But before the first scream echoes across Stratford and the pyro kicks off with a bang, there’s something just as crucial to sort out…
WHERE THE HELL ARE WE MEETING FOR PINTS AND PIZZA? 🍕🍺
Whether you’re flying in from Cardiff, crawling up from Croydon, or trekking from Tokyo, this is your complete survival guide for eating, drinking, and living your best metal life before and after Maiden’s London Stadium gig.
🍻 PRE-GIG PUB CRAWL – CHARGE YOUR TANKARDS
1. The Cow, Westfield Stratford
📍 2 Chestnut Plaza, E20 1GL
Big, bustling, and basically the Maiden fan HQ for the day. Expect walls lined with Troopers, Maiden tees as far as the eye can see, and chants of “Scream for me LONDON!” before doors even open.
👉 Why it’s good: Huge inside, lots of beers on tap, food if you’re peckish.
⚠️ But beware: It gets rammed early — get in sharpish.
2. The Bat and Ball
📍 2 Montfichet Road, Westfield, E20 1EJ
Want to challenge your mate to ping pong while debating if Somewhere in Time is the most underrated Maiden album? This is your place. Modern, fun, and metal-friendly on gig days.
🧠 Fun fact: The jukebox sometimes pumps out classic rock and metal — queue up “The Trooper” and get the place roaring.
3. The Abbey Tap
📍 12 Broadway, E15 4QS
Bit more old-school, bit more loud. Think rock playlist, burger in one hand, pint in the other. Prices are decent and there’s always a lively pre-show buzz.
🔥 Pro tip: Ask for a shot of something demonic – it’s tradition.
4. Howling Hops Brewery
📍 Hackney Wick, E9 5EN
You want a proper pint before the gig? This place is a craft beer heaven and only a 15–20-minute walk from the stadium. Great atmosphere, warehouse vibes, and often full of gig veterans.
💀 Bonus if they’ve got Trooper Ale on tap – Eddie approved!
5. The Carpenter’s Arms
📍 12 Seymour Rd, E10 7LX
No-frills East End magic. Pub carpet, proper pint of lager, and probably a geezer at the bar who saw Maiden in ’83. A true local haunt.
🎤 Come for the beer, stay for the stories.
🍔 LINING THE STOMACH – GIG GRUB THAT SLAPS
A dry stomach and six pints is how you end up missing “Fear of the Dark” because you passed out by the toilets. Here’s where to eat without losing your spot in the queue.
🍖 Smoky Boys (Westfield)
📍 Inside Westfield Stratford
If Iron Maiden were a meal, it’d be this – smoky, savage, juicy and loud. Burgers stacked like Steve Harris’ amp rig and wings that’ll make you sweat harder than the circle pit.
🌯 Tortilla (Burrito Wrap Express)
📍 Westfield Stratford
In a rush? Grab a burrito or taco and eat on the way to the merch stand. Fuel for the pit and way tastier than anything in the stadium.
🔥 Extra jalapeños if you’re feeling brave, Trooper.
🍟 Five Guys
Alright, it’s a chain, but those Cajun fries hit different when you’re halfway through the queue and suddenly realise you haven’t eaten since breakfast. Burgers are big, greasy, and rock’n’roll approved.
🍕 Gotto Trattoria (Hackney Wick)
📍 Canalside, Here East, E9 5EN
Fancy something a bit more grown-up? Classy but still casual. Pizza, wine, riverside views. Good for calming the nerves before the sonic assault.
🍷 Goes down smooth with a Maiden tee and eyeliner.
🎤 AFTER THE CHAOS – POST-GIG DRINKS & DEBRIEF
Once Bruce has bellowed the final note and Eddie has vanished in smoke and flames, you’ll either be on cloud nine or buzzing for another pint.
Here’s where to head after the encore.
🔥 King Edward VII (Stratford)
📍 47 Broadway, E15 4BQ
Lovely old pub with a solid beer selection and comfy seats – perfect for the post-gig comedown. You’ll bump into fellow Maiden fans reliving every riff and drum fill.
🎸 Good chance someone’s watching fan-recorded clips on their phone already.
🍺 The Lock Inn (Hackney Wick)
📍 26 White Post Ln, E9 5EN
Chilled riverside spot with late-night drinks, strong cocktails and a hip but friendly vibe. If you’re not ready to head home and want one last singalong, this is your place.
⚰️ Camden Metal Crawl (if you’re a night owl)
Feel like partying ‘til dawn? Hop on the Overground to Camden and crawl between The Dev, The Black Heart, and The Underworld.
⚠️ May contain spontaneous mosh pits, leather jackets, and whisky.
🚫 WHAT TO AVOID
Let’s keep it real – not everything around Stratford is a dream.
❌ Stadium drinks – £7.50 for warm lager? Do one.
❌ Post-gig fast food queues – Uber Eats will beat you home.
❌ Stratford Station toilets – Honestly, we won’t go into detail. Just… no. 🧻💀
🧠 FINAL TIPS FROM ONE TROOPER TO ANOTHER
🕖 Doors open early – aim to be inside by 6PM
🎒 Bag check is strict – leave the battle jacket spikes at home
👕 Buy your merch early – those XLs vanish quicker than a Nicko solo
🎟️ Print your ticket or make sure your phone is juiced – don’t be that person
🧼 Toilets are few, queues are long – go before you leave the pub
👂 Earplugs if you’re near the front – or risk sounding like a Dalek the next day
🧍 Stay with your group – it’s easy to lose mates in the pit
💬 IN THE WORDS OF BRUCE…
“Scream for me London!”
We will, Bruce. Oh, we will. 🔥🎤
This isn’t just a gig. It’s a rite of passage. A pilgrimage. A thunderous, beer-fuelled metal celebration in the heart of the capital.
So eat well. Drink like Eddie’s watching. And scream until your voice is gone.
🏴☠️ See You in the Pit, Troopers!
Got any top tips or pub plans of your own? Drop them in the comments and let’s make this Maiden night a proper riot. C’mon London – let’s raise the horns and raise hell! 🤘💀⚡
