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 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:

No piped music here (thank goodness), and if you enjoy shouting to make yourself heard over other people's choice of music, then you won't like this pub. If you like excellent real ale then this is an oasis. As with their sister pub, the Oakdale, they are one of the only pubs I know in London where you get a lined glass - which means a full pint, so no confrontation over short measures. They're quite happy to let you sample the beer, and I normally find there's one ale on offer which is particularly good. Only problem I have with the Pembury, is that is could be closer to where I live....10/10

6 Jun 2008 22:33

Whilst the beer is always great in the Pembury sadly yesterday lunchtime the food was pretty appalling, a view shared by me a our others.

The fish pie was rank and cold and was sent back, the veggie crumble looked like a lump of suet and tasted none to clever and was sent back. Finally the lamb was served in a foul tasting aniseed gravy. To be fair a refund was given and a sweet given in compensation but after bigging up the lunch menu to our out of town guests we all felt let down.

2 Jun 2008 13:06

I don't like this pub -- it is like a community centre for weirdos. You often can't get on the bar billiards 'cos the dungeons and dragons crew are on there. Strange people accost you when you play pool. There's no music. Middle class Hackney media types bring their children and let them run riot. It smells of food. It might have a good selection of bitter but it's not a proper pub, it's weird, and expensive.

1 Jun 2008 20:59

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:

I'm not sure I'd describe the pub as "cavernous" - the previous poster might well be referring to a different pub

20 Jun 2008 13:04

Nice traditional pub, no frills just good beer, reading previous posts the selection of ale is standard. The Crouch Vale BG was on good form it must be said. Didn't sample the food but seeing the prices it looks to be exceptional value. Very homely feel, bottles on a picture rail level shelf and an old piano at the rear of the bar.

31 May 2008 10:12

I love this pub, it's a lot like the pubs I sat outside as a child! They do a lovely sunday roast which at £5 for lunch and pudding is a bargain. As previous posters have said, it is a bit like sitting in your nan's living room, with the lace curtains etc but it has a lovely atmosphere. There's always a good selection of beer on tap too. Beware, it's tiny and does get rammed sometimes.

20 May 2008 13:35

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

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:

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.

20 May 2008 13:29

Off the wagon, i should say. the kayes , George Corwallis , jack the ripper shooting , really ?

Say no more

25 Apr 2008 11:33

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

19 Mar 2008 19:44

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 Black Lion, Plaistow

Address: 59-61, High St, London, E13 0AD [map]
Phone: 020 8472 2351
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Nearest tube stations: Plaistow (0.2 miles), Upton Park (0.7 miles), West Ham (0.7 miles)

Nearest train stations: West Ham (0.7 miles), Maryland (1.3 miles), Canning Town (1.3 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

great pint, good choice of ales....
visited as an away supporter after a trip to The Boleyn...
well worth a vist...
bcfc

2 Apr 2008 21:51

Nice beer, nice architecture but disappointed by the fact that they had no food at lunchtime. Looked it up in Time Out Guide to London pubs and it said it did food.

15 Oct 2007 09:36

An oasis in a desert of medicority.

However I hate the fact that as soon as the football or racing is on, the barmaids/landlord turn up the volume to stupid levels regardless of whether you're sat next to it and trying to have a conversation. Pure ignorance.

8 Oct 2007 15:09

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:

this is more of a preview, really.

i'm looking forward to visiting this pub next week as it's near the Radiohead gig.

reading the reviews, it would seem that this landlord can't add up, refuses to serve tap water, short changes people, won't tolerate a non-drinker, is stroppy and doesn't like rucsacs one little bit. he's also a great guy and shouldn't be slandered in this way.

on balance, it would seem he's a bit of a tossbag, but I'll be happy to report back on my findings next week, readers....

20 Jun 2008 15:21

Can confirm the landlord doesn't like serving tap water. I have reported him to trading standards, who will be paying a visit soon. Else a fine pub and fine beer, even if the guv is a bit stroppy.

4 Jun 2008 18:35

The Palm Tree is a pretty cool place, especially when the jazz is playing. The most annoying thing about it though it the random pricing and over pricing. The middle aged guy with brown hair (who i think is the landlord) is the worst. On a few visits i have placed the same order and never received the same price, it could vary by 2-3 pounds on an order of 3-4 drinks.

23 Mar 2008 23:26

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 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 Camel, Bethnal Green

Address: 277 Globe Road, London, E2 0JD [map]
Phone: 020 8983 9888
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Nearest tube stations: Bethnal Green (0.2 miles), Stepney Green (0.5 miles), Whitechapel (0.8 miles)

Nearest train stations: Cambridge Heath (0.4 miles), Bethnal Green (0.5 miles), London Fields (1 mile)

Reviews by BITE users:

This pub is an oasis in a desert for Bethnal Green. Really nice chilled out atmosphere, good drinks selection with well kept beer and friendly staff. The pub is a bit of a strange shape - long and narrow and it can be akin to walking down a tube carriage on a busy night. There's also no light in the gents (apart from the light coming in from outside) and I always thought this was some idea of alternative trendy ambience until I realised they probably just hadn't replaced the bulb yet! I really like the decor here as well - some thought has been put into it. Although it looks modern it does have the feel of a traditional pub.

My only problem with it is they don't have a late licence so it's the old pub closing time of 11pm.

Oh and apparently some weekends they have on a yodelling banjo player, which is pretty original...

2 Jun 2008 13:11

Brilliant little pub in Bethnal Green just off the detritus of Roman Road. Tiny place so get here early if you want a seat or are in a group. It was smoke-free long before that was the law. Always heaps of atmosphere, good music, friendly staff, not too pricey. A great place to while away the hours, and within staggering distance of Bethnal Green tube.

24 Mar 2008 17:16

Very nice alternative to the majority of London which tend to be either: Dingy Old Man Pubs, Wetherspoons or overpriced City Bars.

The Camel is very nicely decorated, friendly staff, good mix of people, low, well chosen music and great wine selection.

A real gem in the heart of Bethnal Green.

3 Oct 2007 16:50

The George, Wanstead

Address: High Street, Wanstead, London, E11 2RL [map]
Phone: 020 8989 2921
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Nearest tube stations: Wanstead (0.1 miles), Snaresbrook (0.4 miles), Redbridge (0.8 miles)

Nearest train stations: Leytonstone High Road (1.3 miles), Wood Street (1.6 miles), Leyton Midland Road (1.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Oh dear. Calling all chavs, your kind seem to gather here and drink piss-water (or 'Beer' as it is labelled on the girly bottles). As long as we can round them up in one place, they won't spread. If we all group together here people, we can fight this horrible disease that is misusing the sacred institution of the proper British Pub and cull the lot of them. They seem to gather here, so avoid and either go further into the East End or out to Essex. Nowhere in-between is acceptable.

13 Mar 2008 00:29

Fan of the George - like most Wetherspoons what you see is what you get. However, popped in the other Friday about 6.30 and found there to be a queue at the bar already. 3 staff had called in sick by all accounts. Why does the place continually suffer with lack of reliable staff and indeed enough staff? Apart from staffing issues, its a solid pub. Great value beers and food, and enough room to not be bumping into people all night. Wish they'd remove those big screens that have the sound off though - they don't really serve much of a purpose.

28 Feb 2008 14:25

freindly welcoming pub with a large choice of drinks, nice dining area upstairs, does get a young crowd in the evening but the atmosphere is great.

6 Jan 2008 17:48

The Black Bull, Whitechapel

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

The Cuckfield, Wanstead

Address: 31, High St, Wanstead, London, E11 2AA [map]
Phone: 020 8532 2431
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Snaresbrook (0.2 miles), Wanstead (0.4 miles), South Woodford (0.9 miles)

Nearest train stations: Leytonstone High Road (1.4 miles), Wood Street (1.4 miles), Leyton Midland Road (1.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

painfully slow service, expensive drinks and SURLY bar staff who think they're far too good to be working there (which ironically, most of the evening, they aren't).

Avoid this dump unless you fancy spending most of your night queuing for a beer.

11 Jun 2008 16:51

All up I think this is a great pub, the food is excellent, they have some good beers and the outside seating a probably the nicest in the area.

The down side is some of the staff aren't the best, although all are friendly. But hey, I'd much sooner slow and pleasant service than quick and moody. Who wants to go to a McPub?? And I'm in the pub so it's not like I'm a terrible rush..

Will definitely be going again and again!

9 Jun 2008 21:12

used to love this pub until they took off the best beer in the world- franziskaner hefe wheat beer,can any like minded beer lovers let me know anywhere else in east or north london sell this beautiful stuff.
cheers.

21 Mar 2008 23:08

The Birkbeck Tavern, Leyton

Address: 45, Langthorne Rd, London, E11 4HL [map]
Phone: 020 8539 2584
See full pub details

Nearest tube station: Leyton (0.3 miles)

Nearest train stations: Leytonstone High Road (0.7 miles), Maryland (0.8 miles), Leyton Midland Road (1.1 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

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.

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!

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

25 Oct 2007 18:51

The Princess of Prussia, Tower Hill

Address: 15, Prescot St, London, E1 8AZ [map]
Phone: 020 7480 5304
See full pub details

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

More information

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