Birkbeck Tavern, Leyton

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user reviews of the Birkbeck Tavern, Leyton

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

A fantastic pub in an area almost desert-like for otherdecent boozers. Yes, it's a Sports type pub and YES the Saturday's and mid weeks do tend to attract the Leyton Orient fans and a lot of away fans but the place has good, well served ales with a several selections - Rita's Special being exactly that, special but what happened to her namesake I don't know or why she got a brew named after her? Anyway, the friendly ladies behind the bar were great with their service and the sunshine and beer garden out back made the afternoon incredibly pleasurable and a place I will return. If you go, have a look at the building itself - it's almost unique and a lovely looking building.
Mcloj - 26 Aug 2008 10:44
Still a real standout in this area, though there's zero competition for a couple of miles. The pub was packed with friendly, older Leyton Orient fans, local lads and a few Guardian-reader types. Three handpumps with decently kept, though not excellent ales. The management seem to have sorted out the multimedia soundclash they used to have - footy was on the plasma telly but the sound was off.
Albert_Campion - 11 Mar 2008 20:57
Lovely pub. How can such a beautiful place serving great beer be in such a dreadful surrounding area?

One pub worth travelling for!
offthewagon07 - 27 Nov 2007 20:09
Always quiet when I go in on my own on the way back from work. A little dowdy, but nice folk behind the bar, good beer, a wonderful garden and a pool table and darts if you like that sort of thing.

Not the most scintillating of pubs, but the best thing this side of the Edward VII in Stratford - everything else around here is a bag of sh**e
ghostwheel - 25 Oct 2007 18:51
Frienly crowd & good range of beers ,nice beer garden . Great place to celebrate when Leyton Orient win .
aylesburyos - 19 Aug 2007 13:54
Excellent selection of ales, nice garden, friendly Orient fans, well worth seeking out.
theoriginalbeermunkeh - 26 May 2007 16:26
Good Friendly crowd, real ales on tap, not much in the way of enterniment, but worth a look anyway!!! Very much so a Leyton Orient pub!!!
sallis - 10 Mar 2007 20:39
Returned after a six-month absence and found a friday night Mixture of real ale fans and young demi-chavs. 'Rita's Special' on our visit was lovely, though it hasn't always been the case in the past. They had all the TVs turned off, too - a bit of a novelty. I think i'll be back again soon.
Albert_Campion - 24 Nov 2006 23:23
Can get a bit crowded before and after Orient play, but they don't mind away fans which makes a nice change! Huge outdoors area for the summer, and occasionally some attractive bar staff... though they might not speak English which can be a problem when asking for beers with silly names! Worth a visit if you're in the area for sure!
drunkmarv - 14 Nov 2006 10:28
One house beer and three ever changing guest ales from the likes of Mighty Oak, Archers and other micros. The beer is usually excellent, though I've had occasions where the condition hasn't been 100 per cent perfect and in summer it can be warm, especially the first couple of pints. Worth a visit though.
Ginger_Beard - 14 Oct 2006 16:04
A surprising find down an unpromising residential street. Packed out on a Saturday night; very popular. Nice back garden when weather permits. Toilets need refurbishing! No food spotted (apart from a couple of baps) but four real ales available. Just a pity they all tasted the same!
Trev - 13 Aug 2006 14:09
Was in sunday afternoon for a couple of beers on the way home. When I left, the pub had Rugby, football, the jukebox AND Songs Of Praise on at the same time!
Albert_Campion - 14 Feb 2006 17:26
An absolute Gem, Excellent Beer Excellent Bar staff and full of Leyton Orient fans what more could you ask for
anonymous - 9 Feb 2006 00:40
Really nice pub. Good beer, good staff, friendly to Leyton Orient and visiting football fans. A bit out of the way but well worth looking for.
patrickjsm - 29 Dec 2005 18:30
Great back street London boozer of the type that's rapidly vanishing. Nice old interior, too, with three rooms, and a large well kept garden. Lots of real ales that change frequently. If I had to be picky, I'd say it can be a little annoying if they have the jukebox AND the TV on at the same time. Otherwise there's not much to fault this... a gem and the best pub in Leyton by a country mile.
Albert_Campion - 16 Dec 2005 17:05
Brilliant pub in Leyton backstreets (you won't find it by accident) serving good range of guest beers to mix of locals and, on match days, a mix of home and away fans (never yet seen trouble). Warm, welcoming, unpretentious, basically everything a pub should be. Plus, last time I was in there, a beer company rep was dishing out a free beer to everyone.
pablos13 - 22 Sep 2005 08:15
On a hot and sweaty Sunday evening this pub's garden is a gem. Three ales and all in good condition. Nice place and only a short walk from Leyton station.
M.Sticker - 20 Jun 2005 15:19
Timbo's Bow and Arrow Chinese outside for easy post-piss up food requirements.
Come one you O's 2 points from top of the league. Ray F is a top bannana.....
Barry Diggins - 26 Oct 2004 10:22
Excellent pub that has a nice mix of people. Good beers and decent prices.
New to leyton - 24 Oct 2004 15:52
Great pub. Orient fans drink here before and after matches - no trouble though - friendly atmosphere, excellent landlord. Only downside is that it gets quite smoky unless doors are open.
Bob the Builder - 20 Aug 2004 23:01
Excellent pub - a backstreet local like they used to be (and still should be) - top real beers, welcoming - and I only live 10mins walk from it!
Jez - 20 Aug 2004 11:34
Easily the best pub in Leyton. guest beers have recently increased to three in number and always in excellent condition. Good crowd of regulars - highly recommended in you are in the area.
Stephen Harris - 5 May 2004 21:17
A fine establishment seemed friendly enough. A large red wine came in a pint glass almost full to the top, not bad value. Toilets 2 star.
effzed - 1 Mar 2004 15:36
Excellent range of real ales. Tends to attract a slightly eccentric yet authodox non-conformist conforming not to conform twenty something Urban 75 types. Beutifull building, faultless beer (occasional annoying ex-student radicals) convenient for the Tube stop - definately worth a look.
anonymous - 11 Jul 2003 20:37
A great local, with a choice of real ales (the only place in Leyton to do so), snack food including pickled eggs (rolls at lunchtime but no real meals), and a lively local crowd which includes policemen after shifts, though they keep themselves to themselves. Darts and pool, and a nice back garden.

Function room upstairs is used by the Masons and other groups, but can be hired at other times.

It's a local rather than a tourist pub and it's fantastic.
Flash Wilson - www.gorge.org - 10 Jul 2003 17:00

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