At track level, the Bow Station had four platforms serving the NLR, which ran from Poplar East India Dock Road to Broad Street, in the City, and North London. While at road level, there were a booking hall, waiting and refreshment rooms and above these a large hall.

The hall was first used by "The Bow & Bromley Institute", a cultural and educational centre opened to the public, where lecturers and classical music were held. The Institute was supported by the NLR and two local groups: The Bromley Literacy Association and Bow Working Men’s Institute. The hall later passed through a number of users. In 1887 it became part of the East London Technical College, then in 1911 part of the Salvation Army. In 1930, it became the "Embassy Billiard Hall", with 22 tables.

The thirty feet high Bryant & May Testimonial Fountain was erected in front of the Station in 1872. It was paid for by the employees of the firm and commemorated their success in defeating a proposed tax on matches.

The railway lines and Bow Station were badly damaged during the Second World War leading to their closure in 1944. After the war, the NLR and the Station were not reopened but allowed to fall into a state of disrepair. In 1953 the Bryant & May Testimonial Fountain was demolished.

However, after the war, the hall continued to be used. It became the "Bow Palais", a dance hall, famous for its Irish Bands, Irish Dancing and Irish Nurses from nearby St Andrew’s Hospital, Bromley-by-Bow. In the 1950s the dance hall changed its name to the "Emerald Ballroom" and was badly damaged by fire in 1956. This led to the hall being demolished but the lower part of the Station was retained and used as a parcel office until 1965, when it closed.