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Artful Dodger, Tower Hill

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user reviews of the Artful Dodger, Tower Hill

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

It's okay. I like the big windows that give it an airy feel. They keep a couple of nice beers and the staff are friendly. Yes the other customers do appear to be predominantly drunk old men but they're happy enough and chatty. I wouldn't make a special effort to go but if you're in the area, here's a local boozer.
MarkieB - 6 Oct 2015 22:00
Visited here as the 3rd pub on a friday night crawl, I could very easily agree with previous reviews and slate this pub but I won't.

Being so close to the city this is an intriguing pub. It needs a bit of tlc and some decent ale on draught but it has a locals charm to it.

Myself and my mate looked a bit out of place but the dozen or so that were in, were nice and friendly. As I say this pub could easily be better but I'm no publican just someone who drinks in a lot of places.

Apart from the poor ale selection this place isn't so bad!
lezford - 26 Nov 2011 13:25
Absolute toilet. Smelt of toilet too when we went. Little flourescent stars stuck to the wall advertising the alcopop on offer. Friendly bar staff, but otherwise terrible. Why is this pub so highly rated? Can only assume it has changed hands since good ratings were attributed. Real disappointment.
Jontydobbin - 31 Jan 2011 15:04
Does anyone knows if the landlady is still alive?
Star_Dust - 26 Dec 2010 14:19
As others have said - very basic "back street boozer" - full of locals f-ing and blinding, bad music on the radio. Odd place, but it'll do if you are in the area - but wouldnt go specifically for this one.
adamwalsh - 29 Oct 2010 19:00
Have had a few entertaining evenings in this pub, but I suspect it won't remain open for long due to lack of trade. The draft beers are ropey, purely down to lack of turnover I guess. Friendly older lady serving behind the bar, pool table, couple of old duffers in residence. Suggest you stick to spirit mixers.
juliatheakston - 17 Sep 2010 12:46
A pub that you either love or hate. In a dingy area but the upside being you will always get served and it is never crowded.

Real locals gaff, friendly and worth a visit.
pc09 - 5 Mar 2009 15:08
First ever visit from yours truly last Monday evening.

This is a pub that I've only ever previously seen from the window of the passing DLR train from Bank for the last 5 years or so, but never, until now, made the effort to visit. It's about 5 mins or so walk from Tower Gateway DLR station.

Its a reasonably traditional rather basic single-bar street-corner local situated in what seems to be a strange sort of hinterland between where the City of London ends and the East End begins.

There was only 1 real ale on during my visit - the ubiquitous Greene King IPA - which took ages to be pulled through properly, but tasted OK once the rather sullen barmaid had succeeded in filling the pint glass with beer rather than froth and bubbles. Pump clips decorating the wooden bar testify to the fact that other real ales have been one, but I would guess that there is not a lot of real ale trade here.

There's a pool table at the front of the pub and a plasma TV which was showing Holland v Italy in Euro 2008 at a reasonably unobtrusive volume level.

The pub was quiet - just half a dozen or so seemingly local customers.

In conclusion, I didn't dislike the pub, but, in all honesty, I'm struggling to find any compelling reason to re-visit or to specifically recommend it to BITE readers.
JohnBonser - 11 Jun 2008 11:01
what a pub watching office workers skive and play pool as the old men prop up the bar, smoky, good food, all that would be needed is a nice irish band in the corner, who needs dublin when its all there at the 'dodger'.
anonymous - 11 Oct 2006 14:25
What can I say about a pub where friendly locals and skiving office workers alike appreciate good music and will not laugh at a guy in big baggy trousers?
Quite simply The Artful Dodger "you can't touch it".

MC_Hammer - 11 Oct 2006 12:44
Best pub in London bar none. Smoky, insanely hot whatever the weather outside, average age of the clientele who seemingly never actually go home is around 93 and a juke box reaturing MC Hammer. We love it.
SkivingOfficeWorker - 11 Oct 2006 12:26
Had my first beer in here when my numba 1 daughter was born (1991) judging from the last comment it hasnt changed much since then- GOOD Oh had numba 4 more since!
scooterroy - 7 Jun 2006 19:36
Sleazy back-street boozer (that is a good thing btw). The clientele are a mix of local shady character and skiving office workers. Beer is well kept.
anonymous - 9 Feb 2006 22:49
Went here recently on a hot summers day. If u are looking for someone to impress a lady it aren't here. Decor basic but saying all that the Green King IPA that they served up was excellent. One for the ale drinker.
TheHorsesMouth - 20 Oct 2005 14:00
Smallish back street boozer. Pool table as well as darts. Beer good quality, as well as cheap. Pint of Young for 2 quid. Also does range of sandwiches too. However due to size can get quite smokey (smoking allowed throughout). Staff friendly.
Al - 13 Feb 2004 15:26
Excellent lunchtime escape. Toasted sandwiches and a nice pint for under a fiver isn't bad. Great East End service.
Big Chris - 3 Sep 2003 14:01

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