East London pub guide - information about pubs and bars in East London # beerintheevening.com

East London pub and bar guide

Here's a guide to the pubs and bars of East London - good or bad, we bring you the most talked about venues and the places you have to visit at least once. We've included a few user reviews, to give you an idea of what to expect when you get there. Or you can follow the links to see full details and all reviews for each pub.

The Pride of Spitalfields, Shoreditch

Address: 3 Heneage Street, London, E1 5LJ [map]
Phone: 020 7247 8933
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Nearest tube stations: Shoreditch (0.3 miles), Aldgate East (0.3 miles), Aldgate (0.4 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Tower Gateway (0.6 miles), Shadwell (0.9 miles), Bank (0.9 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Liverpool Street (0.5 miles), Fenchurch Street (0.7 miles), Bethnal Green (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Great boozer, an oasis from the usual London pub. Excellent ale (Sharp's Doom Bar on our visit), friendly locals and the largest pub cat ever! Only fly in the ointment was my wife's white wine, which would have been good if iot was served chilled. White wine at room temperature - no!

11 Aug 2008 07:55

Great pub for a quick ale or a football match of a Thursday.

Well-priced ale, not much attitude, a good mixture of locals from the office, the building site and the artist’s studio.

A small piece of England, an island of common sense in sea of rat infested multi cultural overcrowding

1 Aug 2008 13:13

Brilliant, brilliant pub. Friendly staff and punters, excellent atmosphere, good beer (Doom Bar is a top pint), nice pics on the wall. I could go on. A proper east end boozer, just when you thought they'd all been Shoreditched into submission.

25 Jun 2008 18:28

The Pembury Tavern, Hackney

Address: 90 Amhurst Road, London, E8 1JH [map]
Phone: 020 8986 8597
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Nearest tube stations: Hackney Central (0.2 miles), Homerton (0.7 miles), Dalston Kingsland (0.8 miles)

Nearest train stations: Hackney Downs (0.2 miles), London Fields (0.6 miles), Homerton (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Rather an odd pub. For starters it looks shut from the outside, and when you get inside it's the wrong shape, which sounds ridiculous until you see it for yourself. There's more atmosphere in a library, the ceiling's too high and did I mention it's the wrong shape? They have a large selection of unusual beers which is fine unless you like lager, of which there is one. Rather an odd pub.

3 Oct 2008 13:23

It doesn't matter how good the beer is if the place doesn't look like it's open!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55935853@N00/2375177500/in/set-72157604256128838/

Guys! Invite new customers in!

2 Oct 2008 09:54

Has a touch of 'Student Union' about it.... (counted 5 (yes 5!) young men sporting goatees. Unicycles chained up out front, with the fear of spontaneous juggling breaking out a constant threat. The beers have names straight out of Lord of the Rings or some such nonsense.

Staff bigging up the Nero stout - tasted like flat slops to me

19 Sep 2008 14:34

The Grapes, Limehouse

Address: 76 Narrow Street, Limehouse, London, E14 8BP [map]
Phone: 020 7987 4396
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Nearest tube station: Canary Wharf (0.6 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Westferry (0.3 miles), Limehouse (0.4 miles), West India Quay (0.6 miles)

Nearest train stations: Limehouse (0.5 miles), Bethnal Green (1.7 miles), South Bermondsey (1.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

After enjoying the great bar food on many an occassion we finally ate in the restaurant - which serves fish only. Starters were superb (lobster bisque and potted shrimp) and mains were very good but rather excessive in size and price. Annoying that if you have a fillet you have to pay £2.50 just for a sauce and the vegetable portions are a rip-off. We also ordered two portions of chips and thought we'd been served one. Just as well as they were very poor - probably been refried several times. The scallops were huge but wrapped in thick bacon rather than pancetta. Wine was excellent. Friendly service became frosty the minute the waiter didn't think we'd given a large enough tip. Lovely to eat by the river as the sun set but in future we will stick to the bar - the fish and chips and fishcakes are normally excellent (and reasonable value).

24 Jun 2008 12:05

Everything a pub should be.
Good selection of ales on handpump ( all very drinkable ).Pleasant staff. No music. No machines.
Takes me back to when I were a lad.
Proper pub. Don't go there.

5 May 2008 19:24

Good Sunday lunch - but get there early to get a table. Very good Fish Restaurant upstairs with warm, friendly and smiley service and portions to ensure you undo a belt notch!

You'd be silly not to stop by this cracking little gem in a sea of sadly lacking pubs in an area that really should try harder!

11 Apr 2008 15:53

The King Edward VII, Stratford

Address: 47 Broadway, London, E15 4BQ [map]
Phone: 020 8534 2313
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Nearest tube stations: Stratford (0.3 miles), West Ham (0.9 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Stratford (0.3 miles), Pudding Mill Lane (0.9 miles)

Nearest train stations: Maryland (0.4 miles), West Ham (0.9 miles), Forest Gate (1.2 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Stratford really is the devil's bumhole, but this place shines like a diamond haemmeroid. Sunday's pint of Nethergate Umbel was one of the best pints I've had in London - the equal of anything served by the Harp or the Olde Mitre. Really, it was that good.

17 Jun 2008 14:56

Starford is a $#!thole. This pub is one of only two reasons to visit. the beers good and Ive never seen any bother in here which, considering the area, is a minor miracle.

Nice quiet and relaxed of a weekday evening. if your in Stratford go here - nice.

14 May 2008 16:14

Cracking local with good beer and stunning food. The sprouting broccoli with shrimp was sublime.

The best real ale selection in Stratford (the cognoscenti don't consider Wetehrspoons a proper pub!) with some unusual bottle beer (St Peters is excellent) and a wine list that would shame most restaurants.

The also run a superb monthly wine tasting led by some bloke from The Groucho.

If only all pubs were like this......

23 Apr 2008 11:56

Leyton Orient Supporter's Club, Leyton

Address: West Stand, Matchroom Stadium, Leyton, London, E10 5NF [map]
Phone: 020 8988 8288
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Nearest tube station: Leyton (0.4 miles)

Nearest train stations: Leyton Midland Road (0.7 miles), Leytonstone High Road (1 mile), Maryland (1.3 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

It has the best lower divisions toilets in the world. One can gamble on dumping freely without worry of some cockney wee attaching itself to one's bottom. The beer is fruity, just like the men. I cruise there most Saturdays and pick up plenty of hunks.

5 Aug 2008 16:52

The quality of the beer in here is as good as it gets. Only the best gets on and its always in tip-top condition.

I can only assume Big Bazza Hearn is a real ale afficianado...

14 May 2008 15:45

A very good range of ales, and they also hold occasional beer festivals which are definitely worth visiting. I can hardly complain about all the football memorabilia as it is a football supporters' club!

26 Mar 2008 15:03

The Blind Beggar, Whitechapel

Address: 337 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BU [map]
Phone: 020 7247 6195
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Nearest tube stations: Whitechapel (0.2 miles), Stepney Green (0.5 miles), Bethnal Green (0.5 miles)

Nearest DLR station: Shadwell (0.6 miles)

Nearest train stations: Bethnal Green (0.3 miles), Cambridge Heath (0.9 miles), Limehouse (1 mile)

Reviews by BITE users:

Went in tonight - rubbish DJ and the place looked really dingy and smelt like piss. Not sure whats going on but the owner was in the pub down the road so thats how great it was.

5 Oct 2008 01:45

The outdoors is an improvement.... Only problem I really have with this place is they have a jukebox so as crazy s this may sound why not let the public choose the music they want to listen to at weekends instead of the same old generic crap that plays every Friday and Saturday.

21 Sep 2008 14:17

Was in here last sunday,no complaints about the beer, staff or the customers.
One thing though-off the wagon please brush up on your history of the east end,i have never read so much tosh in my life.

26 Aug 2008 18:41

The Chesham Arms, Homerton

Address: 5 Mehetabel Rd, Hackney, London, E9 6DU [map]
Phone: 020 8985 2919
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Nearest tube stations: Hackney Central (0.2 miles), Homerton (0.3 miles)

Nearest train stations: Homerton (0.4 miles), Hackney Downs (0.5 miles), London Fields (0.6 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Not wanting to denigrate Quinno's merry review, but saying it looked like it was last decorated circa 1974 might give people the idea that they're going to a fantastic retro time-warp, like the Pride of Spitalfields.

But no, it certainly has a gantry, but the leather couches, red carpet (pattern circa 1999) and yellow wallpaper (circa 2002) are all in the traditional mould, but in no way 1970s.

The last 70s looking vestige - an odd slidey coin game - went when the new owners took over.

16 Jul 2008 17:04

Quite a surprising find. A decent range of ale in good nick, served in a place that was last decorated when Huggy Bear was on the TV circa 1974.

Weirdly enjoyable, especially on a winters evening.

Sadly my review can't be much more detailed as I was already a bit merry by the time we visited :o0

Give it a try, I think you'll like it. I'm going back.

25 Jun 2008 12:11

Proper back-street pub with a good mix of locals. Very good beer selection and the best pub garden in Hackney. Not one for a lively Saturday night, more of a relaxed afternoon kind of place.

17 Jun 2008 15:51

The Captain Kidd, Wapping

Address: 108 Wapping High Street, London, E1W 2NE [map]
Phone: 020 7480 5759
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Nearest tube stations: Wapping (0.2 miles), Rotherhithe (0.4 miles), Rotherithe (0.4 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Shadwell (0.7 miles), Tower Gateway (0.9 miles)

Nearest train stations: South Bermondsey (1 mile), Fenchurch Street (1 mile), Limehouse (1.2 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Fantastic location visited on a couple of occasions with the Prospect down the road it's a decent area to spend a 'touristy' day or night, and always fairly priced Sam Smiths which you either love or hate.

21 May 2008 00:04

Paid my first visit of the summer. Great Location. excellent service. Great VFM. Wish it had some real ale though. Don't mind the Keg bitter, but it just doesn't hit the spot.

8 May 2008 13:41

Popped in on a weekday lunchtime. Lovely old riverside warehouse building with a decent view.

Sam Smiths, so you know what to expect from the beer. I'm not the biggest fan of their bitter, but I'm usually kept quiet by a couple of pints of the wheat beer. As ever, decent prices. Also has a reasonable restaurant upstairs.

Definitely worth a visit.

7 May 2008 13:39

The Ten Bells, Shoreditch

Address: 84 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LY [map]
Phone: 020 7366 1721
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Aldgate East (0.2 miles), Aldgate (0.3 miles), Shoreditch (0.3 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Tower Gateway (0.6 miles), Bank (0.8 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Liverpool Street (0.3 miles), Fenchurch Street (0.6 miles), Moorgate (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

I have recently moved into the area and occasionally pop into this boozer after work. I like its location and its history. Unfortunately the clientele is very arty farty/sloaney/eastern european immigrant.

Having said that at least the easterns europeans are probably genuine locals having settled in digs around whitechapel/bethnal and mile end - following in the footsteps of immigrants before them. What I cannot stand is the arty farty/sloaney/hippy people (mainly publicly school educated young girls) who clearly track over from affluent parts of west london or the suburbs just to drink in this pub and others, such as along brick lane, solely because they want to be 'hip and urban' . . . having said that a lot of these girls are very fit.

Any way despite my obvious chip on my shoulder I do like this pub and it will be there long after the 'fad crowds' have moved on to urban regentrification areas anew.

22 Sep 2008 10:20

I was on my way to 93 feet east i stumbled across this place,i have walked past it many times.
I went in and orderd a pint of Bombadier i gave the barman a fiver and out of that he give me 1 75 back,i was astonished.That is the most i have ever paid for a bitter in London 3.25,i got to admit it was a decent pint.I was impressed with the old tiles,but i have noticed most of the original east end pubs have had the heart ripped out of them ,they have seem to be transformed into arty farty types.
I dont think ill come back here in a hurry,but it was worth the experiance

15 Sep 2008 23:28

Cluck
Its happening all over mate
They are slowly destroying our Culture with modernisation.i'm not against progress, but some things are best left as they are/were

15 Sep 2008 19:23

The Palm Tree, Mile End

Address: Haverfield Road, Bow, London, E3 5BH [map]
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Nearest tube stations: Mile End (0.4 miles), Stepney Green (0.6 miles), Bow Road (0.7 miles)

Nearest DLR station: Bow Church (0.9 miles)

Nearest train stations: Cambridge Heath (0.8 miles), Bethnal Green (1 mile), Limehouse (1.2 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

I know it looks a bit grim from the outside. But anywhere with foil wallpaper and lurid orange interior lighting is special in my book. Upsides aplenty: live jazz old-man band, good ale selection, healthy mix of punters, good outdoor space and nice canal-side location.

Downside: why the hell do they refuse to sell tapwater? And yes, the landlord is occasionally a bit hard to handle. Overall though a nice feel to it. Enjoyed many a summer evening laying out on the grass with a few pints, enjoying the music from the little old guy on a mobility scooter parked under one of the trees, who brings his tapedeck with him for all to enjoy. Lovely.

11 Aug 2008 00:34

Overall, this is a very special pub.

Great atmosphere, well-kept ales, and a fairly unusual location in the middle of Mile End park.

They *do* seem to have a bit of a problem with people carrying bags. Even small shoulder bags. I can't quite work out what the issue is, and they wouldn't really explain, but they definitely don't like it.

Also, the prices tend to be on the high side of random.

But when you hear the remarkable jazz singing on a Friday or Saturday night, these oddities just fade into the background. Well worth a visit.

19 Jul 2008 12:04

1 pint of (yuk) carlsberg = 3.40... not that cheap for an east end pub! And I agree the order price can vary somewhat... get rid of the "open all hours" till (or keep it for display purposes only)!

23 Jun 2008 22:35

The Water Poet, Shoreditch

Address: Folgate Street, Spitalfields, London, London, E1 6BX [map]
Phone: 020 7426 0495
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Nearest tube stations: Shoreditch (0.3 miles), Liverpool Street (0.3 miles), Aldgate East (0.5 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Bank (0.8 miles), Tower Gateway (0.8 miles)

Nearest train stations: London Liverpool Street (0.2 miles), Moorgate (0.6 miles), Old Street (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

I had a really good lunch here last Sunday. i waddled out with my friends at about 7.30 after a long and boozy afternoon. The service was great, and the beer was fine. That garden is fantastic. Roll on the Summer.

21 Feb 2008 19:38

A hidden gem of a pub in the streets of Shoreditch near Spitalfields market, The Water Poet was an amazing find and one I'll contuinue to come back to. Not only did they serve food that was the best pub food I've tried in the area, but the huge interior just went on for ever! We started in the main bar, made our way past a separate pool room, through the rest of the pub past the eccentric decoration to the dining room. It was after eating that we found ourselves outide in an enormous garden which will be amazing in the Summer. Don't tell everyone. It can be our little secret!!

21 Feb 2008 17:24

Not the most charming of pubs, the decor hasn't been refreshed in some years, but for the area this place is certainly one of the best. Do Landlord very well and comfy sofas. This is a place that has definitely benefitted from the smoking ban!

11 Feb 2008 10:37

The Hare, Bethnal Green

Address: 505, Cambridge Heath Rd, London, E2 9BU [map]
Phone: 020 7613 0519
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Nearest tube station: Bethnal Green (0.5 miles)

Nearest train stations: Cambridge Heath (0.1 miles), London Fields (0.5 miles), Bethnal Green (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

This is currently my favourite pub within walking distance of Broadway market. Broad range of customer, good and good beer.
Back in the late 90's some I enjoyed drinking in some of the better pubs in E8 if only for their diverse and sometimes quirky customer base. This situation has now changed and former favourites such as the Pub on the Park and the Dove (although the latter is still well run) are frequented by just one minority section of local society, comfortably off and fashionable white people who probably would have chosen to rent near Clapham common had they been born 7 years earlier.

24 Jul 2008 21:01

In the sense that I have a local pub this is my local, and I'm very loyal to it. I don't go there every week so it's testament to how friendly and welcoming it is that I consider it a local. I've been drinking here for about 3 years and have always felt happy to be there. I've been drinking there less since I've given up smoking as it has such a great smoking garden which I remember very fondly, and timer heaters and even a telly in the outside for watching football. The landlord's great and will even put on first division football games. It has a really good pool table and a juke box, and does cash back at the bar. The people working and drinking there are really friendly. It gets super busy after Vyner Street openings.

1 Jun 2008 19:51

Happened in here whilst killing time recently on a Saturday, and very glad I did - perfect place to make you feel at home when kicking your heels somewhere you dont know much. Football on telly, not too loud, good bunch of patrons, good bar service and a good flavour of the area. They obviously care - at the Hare.

24 Apr 2008 16:17

The Princess of Prussia, Tower Hill

Address: 15, Prescot St, London, E1 8AZ [map]
Phone: 020 7480 5304
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Nearest tube stations: Aldgate East (0.3 miles), Aldgate (0.3 miles), Tower Hill (0.3 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Tower Gateway (0.2 miles), Shadwell (0.7 miles), Bank (0.8 miles)

Nearest train stations: Fenchurch Street (0.4 miles), London Liverpool Street (0.8 miles), London Bridge (0.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

after a recent trip to the tower of london and tower bridge my husband and had I lunch here and seeing that our hotel was just up the road we also had a couple of drinks in the evening too (naughty i know!). Don't know what old poo face "AndyLondon" is talking about - I bet he was a moany old drunk!! Anyway we loved it here and the manageress could not make us feel more welcome during our time there. Food superb, great beer selection and no short measures, my husband would go loopy at that and he loved it... although he did have a few too many.

14 May 2008 20:24

Im still in shock at the attitdue of the manageress of this pub. We order 3 pints of Asahi and all were served with about an inch of head which came up levle with the pint line. When we asked to have them topped up, we were told no, it was a full pint and that we must be from the North of England! then she just walked off. Appalling

13 Apr 2008 18:27

No disrespect HULK to you and other posters ,but i love the way people "stumble across this pub"!!all over the country
(Well made me laugh anyway)

6 Feb 2008 17:07

The Queens Arms, Walthamstow

Address: 42 Orford Road, London, E17 9NJ [map]
Phone: 020 8520 6760
See full pub details

Nearest tube station: Walthamstow Central (0.3 miles)

Nearest train stations: Walthamstow Central (0.3 miles), Walthamstow Queens Road (0.5 miles), Wood Street (0.6 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Something has changed about this pub and not for the good. What used to be a good pub has now turned into a dive. It seems the bigger the dog you have the quicker you get served. Who is the short guy with half an ear missing? He seems to spend is time either drunk, asleep in the bar or rowing with people.

It now seems to getting customers who have been barred from other pubs in the area. I do hope it improves.

4 Aug 2008 12:24

I think this is the only non-scary late-license pub in Walthamstow. Fantastic place for a beer on a Friday night - lively friendly diverse crowd and similarly diverse music.

Why do more decent pubs in E17 not open late?

During the week it is quieter and mainly occupied by footie-watchers, so if that's not your cuppa, try the Village or the Nags instead - both serve and excellently kept pint.

30 Jun 2008 10:22

Went in here the other night and my god how things have changed. The woman in charge now seems to be very confused. Running a pub in her eyes seems to involve getting as pissed as possible, swearing extremely loudly at both the staff and customers and then fighting with one of the customers ! I don't know which idiot put her in charge of what could and should be a great little boozer but they need to sack her quick !

29 Jun 2008 13:35

The Black Bull, Whitechapel

Address: 199, Whitechapel Rd, London, E1 1DE [map]
Phone: 020 7247 6707
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Whitechapel (0.1 miles), Shoreditch (0.5 miles), Aldgate East (0.5 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Shadwell (0.6 miles), Tower Gateway (0.8 miles)

Nearest train stations: Bethnal Green (0.4 miles), London Liverpool Street (0.9 miles), Fenchurch Street (0.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

mintyboom - i heard they sold up and moved to Spain. I think the loss of custom when the nearby drama school closed was the final straw.

the TV screens are a nightmare - was in there a few Saturdays ago and the staff put Prime Instinct on four tvs. No wonder the place closes early most nights,

This Tv thing is becoming increasingly annoying in loads of pubs -

23 Jan 2008 16:37

Just as a matter of interest, does anybody know what happened to the people that used to run the place before it changed hands?

15 Jan 2008 13:03

Beer was fine, but I was in there on a Saturday night and I was on my own (just past nine). And I mean on my own. The staff had popped outside for a smoke break.

TV screen had the snooker on, and it dominates this single bar pub.

20 Dec 2007 15:53

More information

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