please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Such a brilliant pub with a stunning garden i dont really understand if these people who write all this shit on here have actually been there? Been in many times but i went in with my family and everyone had such a great day, great food, great staff, keran is a great manager and working with dave has totally changed the pub's atmosphere. Wasn't to keen on the new manager, had a bit of attitude. Bring back the keran and steve duo.
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I haven't been in the Beggar for years but plan on a visit in a couple of weeks. I'm somewhat nervous after reading some of these reviews! Can it have deteriotated that much?
Oh well I'm locked into it now as I've made arrangements to meet a bunch of friends there. I'll post an unbiased review after my visit.
One thing I'm surprised about though, is how many people write about the pub's history and, obviously, do not know what they're talking about!!
"OffThe Wagon" ? I seriously think you should consider getting back on!!!!
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This pub lives off it's fame or should I say notoriety these days. However, it's got a lovely beer 'garden' perfect for summer's days and it does good food. It's always full of locals at weekends, and even in the winter it's welcoming with log fires.
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LOVE LOVE LOVE the outdoor pool table.
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Off the wagon, i should say. the kayes , George Corwallis , jack the ripper shooting , really ?
Say no more
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Had an ok pint last night, but there was a bit of a vomit smell about. Wouldn't go out of my way to go again
kchef - 19 Mar 2008 19:44 |
Saw the film the Kayes on TV this week. Reg Kayes shot George Corwallis in a Blind Beggar in late 70's. But this was not the actual pub. The real pub is smaller and is in the film mentioned. Jacker the ripper used this one when he shot someone in about 1910 over gambling. I like this pub but am allergic to cats and my eyes stream sometimes because of the cats and other times because of the prices. The staff are usually friendly but do not upset the govenor!
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Friendly bar staff and very warm - three roaring fires. Bog standard boozer, with usual London prices.
Anticipated character from a pub with such infamous history but it's rather bland. Bit of a missed opportunity. That said would go in again if in the area.
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To be honest, this pub is alright. Just alright. Not a bad crowd go in there, the staff are fairly friendly (as are the resident cats who like to lie by the fires) and the drinks, well spirits at least, are not overly expensive. However there's nothing that really makes it stand out from any other local pub apart from the fact it's famous. And it's a bit irritating that it only has 1 ladies' loo, so there's often a bit of a scramble to get in there when it's busy!
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I think 'off the wagon' has been drinking a little to much. Jack the Ripper shot someone, really. And I think he means Ronnie Kray, oh pass me the gun, lets end it all.
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Came here as it is supposed to be where Jack the Ripper shot somebody in the bar over a gambling debt. Many years later history repeated itself when Danny Kayes and his brother Reg came in and shot George Cornwallis. Cornwallis was one of the brothers gay lover. With all this history I must say I was disappointed to see that hardly any reference is made to it. I had a vey expensive pint of real ale which was nothing to shout about.
Rumour has it that the Landlord is very high up in the Freemasons and was specially chosen for the pub because of all the secrets that have gone on in the past. I must say Landlord that it is no secret that this place is not much upo to scratch. The food seems dire as well according to the old boy eating a pile of mush and moaning!
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I've been here last week, on a Tuesday at lunch time. There was a really nice atmosphere, it wasn't quite at all, that in my opinion is what I expect from a pub. I had lunch with my collegues and the food took 15 minutes in been served, by the chef. The taste of it was brilliant, I will definetly come back once a week. Good value, good experience.
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What a fantastic pub! I have been wanting to visit this pub for years and finally did, and I am so glad. the pub was really nice and all the staff were friendly. my family and I had food and it was amazing, not like I expected it to be. The food would be competition for a lot of restaurants. The house wine was actually house wine, with own labels, and was only £10 which for the taste was brilliant.
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great monday night with the burns brothers playing better than ever. fantastic friendly atmosphere, great bars staff and great guvnor. but the music is the thing and makes it an unmissable monday night!
anonymous - 22 Oct 2007 15:32 |
I wonder if David Bailey knows that the pub's usiing one of his most iconic images on a large banner outside? Hmmm.
anonymous - 9 Oct 2007 14:50 |
My second home! The BB is my favourite pub ever and I've been to a fair few. The new look beer garden (complete with koi carp pond) is fab, and the food is great. There's a pool table, extensive jukebox and quiz machine, great band on Monday nights - sky sports is the only thing missing (shows sport if it's on terrestrial). Bar staff are really friendly and the regulars are a great bunch - if a little crazy at times. Actually make that a lot crazy. But the Madness is part and parcel of the Beggar's soul and wouldn't be the same without it. Never not had a good night here, can't rate it highly enough.
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what a great pub, really sweet garden, (and staff). the food is great, well worth a visit.
anonymous - 28 Sep 2007 12:28 |
For the record, Ronnie Kray preferred the Grave Maurice (pron. 'Grarve Moreece') slightly further down Whitechapel Road. It was George Cornell - sadly for him - who established the pub's notoriety by deciding to have a drink in the Beggars at a moment when Ronnie desperately wanted to kill him.
But Ron would not have liked the scruffy dive the Maurice was to become. When Alan and his family ran the place, in the 60s and 70s (with its tasty good-value English food, log fire, nicotined ceiling, & plush red antimaccassared seats arranged for privacy, & the huge oak table that 20 people could sit round & have a meeting) it was a place well worth visiting. Alhough if 'the firm' happened to be in the Saloon Bar and you didn't belong, then you had go into the Public Bar. But the twins would occasionally buy all the old people a drink, plus a drink for the guv'nor and the guv'nor's wife.
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i dont know if you went there with your eyes closed or something, but i love this pub we come every year from spain to visit friends and always pop in, it just gets better and better, the food was fantastic, the staff were great, the garden is beautiful, it is a bit spookey at the haunted bar but what do you expect from somewhere named the haunted bar???? when i was last in there i dont think i even met a cockney as one person mentioned, and never seen a gangster in there but i would love to. they have their own brand of wine which was great, they have food better than most restaurants, and it is all priced quite well.
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It is the first time i visited this pub about 3 weeks ago,i found the barstaff friendly.
I got to be honest i found the pub very spooky,red lanturns on the wall and strange clientele,was going to have some dinner but thought twice about it.
Theyn didnt have any london pride on,so instead i had a pint of Old speckled hen,i paid 3 pound,which i thought was dear for this part of London.
Never will i go back again,but is an experiance.
anonymous - 23 Jun 2007 21:31 |
I've been in here for the past 20 years-and its as processed now as it was then.The pity is,that the pubs near it are now the same...
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The award this pub got was from that gastronomic bible the er, East London Advertiser (owned by Archant), whose office is just round the corner on Cambridge Heath Road. Not exactly a Michelin Star, is it?
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This place is appalling. Goole815 is absolutely spot on - no decent pubs in the area, the cheapest I think in the area is the White Hart across the road. Full of faske 'cock-er-nee' gangster wannabes and tourists. Absoultely nothing redeeming about it except for those who want to see a pub that which just happens to be named the same as a reasonable boozer back in the 60's which is now a sh1t-tip
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To all those who've criticised this it might be worth mentioning that this pub has just won Best Bar & Best Pub-restaurant in East london from the Archant Food & Drink awards. Obviously their doing something right
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I visited here Sunday evening 26th Nov and to be fair I found a big improvement from last visit, the Landlady/barmaid?? was friendly, the toilets and grubby chairs cleaned/changed and most importantly and suprising was the London Pride was fine. Rate 5 out of 10.
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Everything that has been said is true and to charge 3 quid a pint in Whitechapel is ridiculous! The decline started 3 or 4 years ago and it has not improved since the guy who use to run it bought it and if anything it has got worse (which I didn't think was possible).
If I am gonna pay 3 quid a pint then I expect a lot more than what they offer... there is no entertainment on a weekend!
The guy needs to make some major changes but it might be beyond help now.
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I've just stumbled accross this site and I have to say, this all seems a bit harse...
I Admit, I haven't been in there for a couple of years, (I've moved away from the area) but I don't remember it being half as bad as the other 'posters' here make out.
Myself and a few friends used to be in there every Sunday, pretty much without fail, and it was always nice enough. Staff were always friendy, (if Dave, Kat or Maggi still work there, hi) as were most of the regulars.
Many a good memory of a lazy summer Sunday, roast dinner in the garden followed by a fat cigar and a few pints with friendly faces.
Unless things have changed dramatically recently - well worth a look.
Hey, remember it's Whitechapel and not Mayfair - if you want trend, go to 93 Feet East in Brick Lane....
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A MUST IF YOU VISIT THE EAST END ! FANTASTIC, GREAT FOOD AND FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE. FULLY RESTORED AND WITH A GREAT NEW BEER GARDEN TO RELAX IN.DON'T BELIEVE ME, THEN TRY IT FOR YOURSELF !! CHECK OUT MONDAY NIGHTS, THE ENTERTAINMENT THERE IS JUST CRAZY !!!
GARY - 10 Oct 2006 22:42 |
This pub used to have character. It used to be great. I was proud this was my local.
Sometimes the service was slow but forgivable and the toilets certainly needed sorting out but even then I was proud that this was my local.
I can confirm that at one point it got so bad that it did 'stink of pee' as one commentor stated.
However, they have since refurbished.
They have just removed the last iota of character that was hanging by a thread. Since the refurb, the prices are even more Shoreditch. I recommend INDO if that's what you're after - great venue opposite the Mosque, I think it might even be cheaper or if you want just a pub, go to the Black Bull. Otherwise, go to Ten Bells or The Golden Heart or any other pub in the area!
The 'trendy' conservatory. Give me a break. The sculpture exhibition. Is that what that was?
I don't want to "forget Whitechapel is behind the gates". That's why I live here.
I can honestly say, that I have registered for this website just because I can't bear what they have done to the place. It's been a steady decline through which I battled on regardless. I have now conceded defeat. It's terrible.
You might enjoy yourself if you pop in for a quick pint, but you would never want it as your local.
The cat is still very cool but is that enough?
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Sorry - amendment to my previous, which should read "over forty years later..." Thanks.
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Oh dear! My use of this place goes back to the difficult days of the 1960s but when you could get a marvellous pork and onion roll in Bloom's bread, but left before 8 in the evening. It served beautiful beer, originally from the then-attached brewery. Now - after over twenty years later almost unrecognisable. The bar is totally out of shape compared with the inside of the building (go - youll see what I mean). I drank formula cider. There are, though, two very good points : an especially fine beer garden and a superb cat, whose deportment suggested that he was actually the licencee!. But is there a decent pub on Whitechapel High Strret now? I feel sorry for the staff of the world's best hospital across the road; they deserve better.
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When the biggest selling point of a pub is that a notorious criminal once came in and killed a patron mid-drink, I think it's best left unvisited.
You're better off wandering up to The Black Bull. Sure, it's a shithole as well, but at least it has decent beer, and isn't populated by plastic gangsters and morbid tourists who think the Krays deserve some adulation.
Anyway, if Ronnie Kray was so great, he would have had the decency to buy a pint before creating the mess...
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Seems to be a few moans about this place. Don't know why. Visited recently and thought very good. Enjoyed beer (lager drinker) and the garden is superb. You tend to forget that Whitechapel is beyond the gates. They were also having a sculpture exhibition when I was there. Will certainly call again.
Shrek - 18 Jun 2006 04:28 |
This was my local for many a year back in the 80s 90s.
Visited today and thought i was in the wrong place. The owner now thinks he is doing you a turn by serving you. And the bar staff would be better placed in a prisoner of war camp. Ignorent is to polite of a word for them. Once over very nice pub great bar staff now A SHIT HOLE KEEP AWAY.
anonymous - 2 Jun 2006 12:19 |
Extremely busy circuit pub a few years back, always rammo at week-ends,Bar was central,DJ.booth on the right as you walked in,back in the 70s and early eighties no one gave a toss what the twins did, we were hardly ever reminded,and there was never any memorabilia plastered on the walls either,just good loud music,always stunning birds behind the ramp(saturday nights,six staff behind the bar,and they were pushed) Great days believe me; you's chav's and chavesses dont know what you missed,Honest.
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Having just moved into the area I am chuffed to bits with how friendly the staff are in this pub. It has a new manager and is recently refurbished, however the only thing that gives this away is the clean and shinyness of everything, as it's very much in the traditional dark wood and swirly carpet pub style - no more chain/theme pub posturings. Nice open fires in the winter too. For the more style conscious it has a great conservatory with trendy sofas and a lovely beer garden (recent opening celebrated by a black tie evening and string quartet). All in all worthy of more praise than it's had on this site so far, a traditional pub with a friendly atmosphere (and two very cute cats).
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Couldn't agree more Mr Monkfish. This place is a dive, plain and simple. I am reliably informed it was a good boozer 'back in the day'.
'They were good boys, god bless em'. Loved their mum. Only ever harmed their own kind'....... give it rest!
anonymous - 2 Mar 2006 12:10 |
If you are the kind of tosspot that would visit a pub just because the Kray twins once shot some poor sod in there( Still it's alright, they kept down petty crime, only hurt other villains and perhaps most importantly lved their mum) then you frankly deserve to drink in this dive. Go back to your safe middle-class neighbourhoods, sit on your Habitat furniture and enjoy a nice Marks & Sparks ready meal (they are such good quality I don't mind paying the extra sweetie)and have a long slow think about your life and your library of sub-Janet & John literature from the Real Crime section at Waterstones you rubbernecking ghouls.
A pub best avoided for any of the usual reasons; bad beer, bad prices, shitty service by any sane human being. Happened to pop in here once whilst waiting an inordinate length of time for a bus on the street outside and have no desire to repeat the experience and have hated myself for it ever since.
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I visited this pub in late November, (after a gap of five years), with a friend who was visiting from overseas, and was excited about seeing a pub with so much history.
What a disappointment. They've ruined the place. Now it's just like any other chain pub, with no character. I won't be returning there in a hurry.
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fair play to red_oktbr. mind you in my defense i did say ``not many people know this.'' i didn't say that's because it's not true.
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I beg to differ with tansderson7.
March 9, 1966 - Ronnie Kray shot George Cornell in The Blind Beggar
Reggie Kray murdered Jack "the Hat" McVitie in November 1966 in a flat in Stoke Newington
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Ok pub. go in there after football. One of the barmaids looks like a porn star
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Not many people know this but this is the pub where the Kray twins knocked off Jack ``the hat'' McVitie. Good boozer.
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the pub has taken alot of bad press in recent times but going there now is a new experience . The new company have really turned it around . The bar staff are pleasant , the toilets have been re-built and the whole pub looks immaculate . Good on them .
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Yes, go to the Blind Beggar if you want a good East End Pub with a real cockney barmaid and good ale - NOT!! A barmaid who couldn't speak English, 2 pints of vinegar ... oh sorry I mean Directors for £5.80! AND she didn't even have the bloody cricket on. We managed to force down a drink and in that time about 10 people came in, looked around and walked back out again. I think the Krays may be turning in their graves! Absolutely 'orrible!
Hucks - 12 Sep 2005 11:18 |
I quote a good friend's comment to the barmaid on my last visit.
"You'll need some more shootings in here to sort this place out!"
I think that covers it.
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Place stinks... The posters of Krays are not original private collection but poorly reproduced enlarged prints of shite quality just like the beer. Barman/landlord scruffy and absolutely clueless about ale. Seating just makes you want to vomit... no really it does...Don't bother visiting it is very crap. It needs a proper Eastender with knowledge about history and ale in charge... otherwise change the name and forget it. Very poor indeed. Possibly the worst.
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A few years ago this was a good little pub with a good buzz about it, decent music and a selection of fit girls behind the bar but then things went badly wrong.
The bloke "in charge" decided the place should become a tacky theme pub of the Krays with pictures all over the gaff. To top it off there is even pictures near the pool table of the manager with a wannabe gangster group with things written underneath like "Be Lucky".
It has really gone down hill and is now in administration. Which they use as an excuse for everything... toilets are disgusting, have no lighting and stink to high heaven but they can't do anything about it because of "we are in administration".
In other words I wouldn't put myself out if I was you!
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Stinks of pee. NO SERIOUSLY. very bad smell of pee and NO excuse, not even busy. Beer flat and no fit bar staff to be seen as reported here. Big let down.
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I went yesterday for Sunday Lunch with a few friends and found that although the bar staff were nice to look at, their talents ended there. We all ordered a starter and main course- they tried to give us our raost before our prawn cocktail and then had a go at us for not telling them what order we wanted the courses in!
Aside from that the beer is good, the furniture comfortable, the cats are friendly, the atmosphere pleasant and the prawns on the bar are a great touch. Also a superb place for spotting wannabe gangsters who seem to think that wearing lots of tacky gold and drinking where the mob USED to drink makes them untouchable. A laugh a minute.
Just a shame about the food.
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One of the best pubs in the area, friendly, beer good, food fine.
If you visit on a Sunday you may find yourslf peeling prawns for the pub cat
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Nice cheap pub, good pet cats and fireplaces. Tequila is a bit warm and true english style drinks with more spirit, less mix & ice theory. Good for a quiet few drinks but toilet seat does seem to be next to the toilet??
anonymous - 11 Feb 2005 14:04 |
how good is this pub ? we went out for a monday night for crimbo drinks and it was open till one in the morning - and , the fit santa hat wearing bar maid ( eve we think her name was ) told me they open late every monday . band played , pub was rammed , the bar girls worked their fit bits off and was just a bloody good time . bar girls are well worth a look - nice and friendly - and genuine - not all pally pally cause they have to be - you can tell they loving it and we loved them . blind beggar bar girls - we love ya - if only other places in london had bar staff that were as nice - and fit as you lot . cheers beggar for a top night - will be coming again for sure . you can prob tell me and the boys want the bar maids numbers ! ha ha .
anonymous - 21 Dec 2004 15:32 |
One of the friendliest places I know. Bar staff are lovely and always welcoming. Never any trouble, Sunday dinners are gorgeous. Fantastic Monday nights.
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visited with my son in september.best pub ive ever been to. i loved pip the cat.
michael - 21 Oct 2004 10:26 |
fantastic place real atmosphere well worth a visit
electra - 3 Oct 2004 20:48 |
Use to be a good pub but unfortunately the bloke in charge slowly turned it into a theme pub of the Krays and gangsters. Tacky pictures on the wall of the manager posing with gangsters to satisfy his own ego!
As I say worth a look but go soon before it gets even worst.
DP - 5 Jun 2004 17:49 |
great east end boozer good choice of ales and just a great place for a beer
fat dog - 11 Apr 2004 13:29 |
Apparently refurbed several times since 'the incident'.
Comfy well-worn seats, and yes, two massive pictures of the Krays at one end. Could this be the only pub to glorify a murder there, along with one of the instigators? Dunno, but I did wonder what George Cornell's family mad of it. Interesting, nonetheless, with some surprisingly attractive rough women, if that makes sense.
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Really nice pub. Friendly staff, good range of beer, conservatory if you want to avoid being in close proximity to someone smoking, outdoor area to sit in the summer. Nice atmosphere - generally first choice if you want a pint in Whitechapel although the Urban bar is quite unique too.
Lucy - 20 Feb 2004 13:21 |
Monday night is fantastic. the Burns Brothers Play from 9 Till 11.15 and the place is jumping!
the bar staff get really into it too, dancing and singing along.The best monday night in london without a doubt
Gerry Peters - 5 Feb 2004 18:29 |
Excellent pub, spoke to 'Mad' frank here. Cool pics of the Krays too.
Jason - 2 Dec 2003 23:59 |
NICE ATMOSPHERE, FRIENDLY, GOOD PINT, NICE BIT OF EAST END STORY TELLING. WORTH THE VISIT
ROSSCO - 29 Sep 2003 11:30 |
The BEST pub in the East-End and my second home!!
Gemma - 21 Sep 2003 13:45 |
Wonderful place. Staff were friendly and I loved the cats. Not a great pint of guinness tho I'm afraid
kevo - 14 Sep 2003 21:42 |
I suggest popping accross the Cambridge Heath road for a decent pint in the White Hart (a.k.a Murphy's). The BB is full of chinz and gaudy brass fittings, or while you're here go for a curry accross the Mile End road.
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ronnie kray shot someone in here, just walked in and pumped off a couple o' rounds into his head.
drazic - 8 Aug 2003 20:50 |
The Sunday lunch was devine
Kim - 23 Jul 2003 04:52 |
The dim interior is relaxing and musty as one sinks into the a cracked old leather chair and falls asleep with a cat.
For some light and air, there's a rather tacky conservatory leading to a small, leafy, well-kept beer garden.
Also boasts a pool table and dart board and live footy.
Ropey on the bitter front and sadly glamorizes murderers, but that latter seems an afterthought.
One of the most enjoyable pubs in the area.
murtcepsxz - 3 Jun 2003 17:43 |
In the early 1970's we used to attend many a Sunday'school'at the Beggar. Revisited again in 1999 and dissappointed that the place had changed completely
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Also known as the TARDIS, it's a nice-sized pub, but about 50,000 people were apparently in there on that fateful night !!
TC - 17 Oct 2002 14:07 |
a great old fashioned pub made famous by the Krays -
stuart - 17 Oct 2002 12:47 |
