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 North Star, Leytonstone

Address: 24 Browning Road, Leytonstone, London, E11 3AR [map]
Phone: 020 8989 5777
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Nearest tube stations: Leytonstone (0.4 miles), Wanstead (0.7 miles), Snaresbrook (0.9 miles)

Nearest train stations: Leytonstone High Road (0.6 miles), Leyton Midland Road (1.1 miles), Wanstead Park (1.4 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

The Star's had a bit of a spruce up inside, and it's still as good as ever. Always a great night to be had here.

18 Mar 2009 14:20

Rodger, thanks again. It has been great exchanging opinions with you. You know so little about me as a person, yet make such large statements about my past and future life. I have achieved a great deal in my life, the pub business is merely one of many things I have taken part in, you are right in that some things work and some things don't. I would not want to work in business in Australia or visit your country, I am sure it is a very nice place full of very nice people, and wonderfull things to see and do. But unlike you I do have a life and do not have time to carry on this playfull banter. Good luck with what you do in your life to, wish you all the best.....

27 Feb 2009 22:46

Rodgerthedodger - wow you must of had a bad day,you seem very angry about something. Really cannot be bothered with you anymore,but please like I say keep the comments coming and keep visiting the North Star, one day you may even be old enough to buy an alcoholic drink, after your mum has helped you in the toilet.
Nite nite for now.....

27 Feb 2009 01:18

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:

Very well-kept beers (6 from Milton Brewery) plus a cider and a couple of guests. Very friendly, well worth a look. Recommended.

25 May 2009 10:06

This is definitely one for the real ale fans as Fosters swigging football fans need not apply. There is a pool table and bar billiards, but this place is basically a large sparsely decorated room with no TVs, but eight or so well kept bitters and a couple of premium lagers.

This is more ‘ale hall’ than pub and it is good for a few beers, but I wouldn’t want to stay all evening.

20 May 2009 11:42

This hostelry specialises in the most quaffable of ales from Milton's Brewery! A cheery crowd of locals (how lucky they are!) and discerning visitors from farther afield (your correspondent!) were served with care and condescension by the expert serving staff. Yet again, my excellent command of English came up trumps, and I was treated to a pint of Pegasus! (We Dutchies are the world's best linguistics, you know.)

I am pleasantly surprised by the low cost of beer in London (compared with Amsterdam). This is making it easy for me to drink oodles on my crawl around London! Congratulations all round to the brewery and the publican!! 10 out of 10 for everyone involved!!!

15 May 2009 17:11

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:

I cannot speak more highly of this club bar, really nice stewards working behind the bar, serving the Best Ale around.
There must have been a choice of at least 8 handpumps of genuine delicious ale, and bottled ales too. We were there for a football match , plenty of space, smashing sandwiches which were snapped up by most of the away supporters , the prices of the ale and the food are unbelievable, at £2.30 a pint, seeing is believing!!, we were so impressed we will be returning, even when our team is not playing Leyton Orient Football Club.

14 Apr 2009 15:05

Fantastic supporters club visit on Saturday. I think six ales were available at very reasonable prices. I think most ales were available at £2.30. There seemed to be just about the right amount of staff to handle the surge after the game. All the staff was very friendly to our travelling supporters. The reasonably priced sandwiches soon got snapped up. This just shows the missed opportunity CUFC made when we moved to our new ground. We now do not spend anything on drink at our club. The ale maybe reasonably priced here but I bet this still makes a tidy profit to the club. We must have stayed a good couple of hours here after the game.

14 Apr 2009 00:02

Just posting this review based on visit to the Piglet beer festival on 26 March. Congratultions on a superb event. All beers tried were served perfectly and with the cheapest sarnies I've ever seen in a pub (made with Turkish bread too) - what's not to like? Already looking forward to the next beer festival or playing the Os next season so I can sample the beers on match day.

5 Apr 2009 18:37

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:

Lovely little pub full of character and good selection of real ales.

22 Feb 2009 17:44

The best pub on this historic stretch of the river. It's hard to enjoy the dinky garden without getting a splashing but that's all part of the fun. The no nonsense food and good beers add to a super atmosphere

28 Dec 2008 21:39

Spent an hour or so here last night after having a long forgettable lunch down the road at the Narrow.
Tiny little traditional pub with limited seating/standing space.
All dark wood and low door frames lending a cosy atmosphere particularly when it's cold and damp outside.
Young Asian girl behind the bar was very friendly but the landlord could have been a little more so.
Overall very pleasant with an olde worldly charm.

17 Nov 2008 10:14

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:

By far the best Pub in Stratford if rather expensive. Not many good pubs left in the area now. The only other I would frequent is the Black Lion, Plaistow. If you don't mind a multicultured community, and the lack of good pubs, Stratford is not as bad as some on here make out. There are worse places in London with no pubs at all, or ones with a chav fighting clientelle.

22 Mar 2009 11:41

This has to be one of the best pubs in London, beer, food, staff and patrons. There isnt a bad thing to say about it. If only it could be picked up and placed outside of Stratford where more people could appreciate it. That's the only thing holding it back....being situated in THE biggest shithole in London.

31 Jan 2009 18:42

Strange split personality here. The front is a proper pub and looks much the same as it has done for decades. The back is faux gastropub, complete with pastel coloured paint over the wood panelling and those horrid horrid leather sofas, dim lighting and awful loud music. Which is fine in its way, all those who don't really like pubs can go and sit out the back on the sofas being deafened leaving the rest of us to enjoy quite a decent pub at the front with very decent beer.

I've no idea why anyone goes specifically to eat in town centre pubs like this, it is almost always regretted.

11 Dec 2008 10:51

The William IV and Sweet William, Leyton

Address: 816, High Road, Leyton, London, E10 6AE [map]
Phone: 020 8556 2460
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Nearest tube station: Walthamstow Central (0.7 miles)

Nearest train stations: Leyton Midland Road (0.4 miles), Walthamstow Queens Road (0.7 miles), Walthamstow Central (0.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Excellent pub. Has many original features including a most fantastic bar. Beer is Brodies, brewed on the premises, quite stunning, and only £1.99 a pint. If I lived nearby I'd be here every night. Has piped music, but not intrusive when I visited, as such a large space - better without it though. Jazz night once a month. It's a 10.

26 Mar 2009 23:32

A Friday night visit to the William IV which is just off the Lea Bridge Road at Bakers Arms. Met a friend from Leytonstone there, locked our bikes up on the convenient bike stand right outside the side window. Lovely big plate glass windows give a clear view inside and make the outside appearance quite inviting. Pub was busy towards to rear with many tables ordering the Thai food. There was a dedicated waitress serving them all evening. We started on the Brodies Best but found it a little bitter. Moved to the Brodies IPA which was very decent indeed and we stuck to it. Bar staff attentive and pleasant. Fairly eclectic mix of clientele but all either friendly or inoffensive. Quirky locals using the dartboard too.
We'll definately be back at the William IV as soon as our lives will allow.

2 Mar 2009 16:33

its great that the brewery is back. had a very good pint of Brodies special

6 Feb 2009 17:16

The Palm Tree, Mile End

Address: Haverfield Road, Bow, London, E3 5BH [map]
Phone: 0208 980 2918
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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:

AFTER MANY YEARS AT THE PALM TREE ,TONIGHT WAS DEFINITELY THE LAST. WE WERE 9 PEOPLE DRINKING AND LISTENING TO JAZZ ,BUT UNBELIEVABLE RUDE STAFF, NO MANNERS ,NOT FRIENDLY AT ALL.THEY CHARGE FOR TAP WATER, ???ISN'T THIS ILLEGAL? HOW CAN THEY CHARGE AFTER SPENDING 100S OF POUNDS, ON BOOZE ????? INCREDIBLE, IT HAS LOST MY SUPPORT AND I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND TO ANYBOBY, NOT EVEN IF THIS IS THE LAST PUB LEFT ON PLANET UK. BELIEVE ME THEY DON'T DESERVE YOUR COMPANY OR YOUR MONEY, BY THE WAY IT'S THE MOST EXPENSIVE PUB IN EAST LONDON. MY FRIENDS LEFT EARLIER SFTER BEEN CHARGED £1 FOR A GLASS OF TAP WATER, RIDICULOUS IN ANY SOCIETY!!! THINK TWICE BEFORE GOING THERE AND TAKE MY ADVICE GO SOMEWHERE ELSE WHERE WITH CIVILISED PEOPLE THAT APPRECIATE YOUR CUSTOM AND YOU KNOW YOU ARE WELCOME, AND.. NO CHARGE FOR TAP WATER

4 Apr 2009 01:33

Please do not got to this pub. It's my favourite and I want to keep it to myself!

Has the most incredible interior that's apparently been frozen in time since 1930, also boasting a bar till that would make Arkwright from Open All Hours scared and an ancient spangley gold drum kit. It's like some surreal living pub museum and I love it!

Also has a fantastic expanse of wild grass outside next to the canal which is just perfect for lazing around on hazy sunny afternoons, with locals from the climbing club next door often tight rope walking between trees.

It's a local bar for local people. Don't go there. It's mine!

3 Apr 2009 18:54

I have only ever been to this pub on a Friday/Saturday night. The east end jazz is ace and makes the whole experience well worth the effort.

Staff aren't 'all bar one' friendly but thats because you're milling around their home! the decor is unique and you should go for pints here if only to treat it as a museum and support one of the most unique pubs around,

18 Feb 2009 17:19

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:

A surprise of a pub in this area and is really ahead of the pack. Good all round pub with a 'homely' atmosphere.

Steady venue with good food used by the local workers to great extent.

5 Mar 2009 14:53

I went in for lunch to get one of their world famous fish fingers sandwiches ... and to my dismay, they had stopped doign them .. under new management.

Instead I ordered a saugage and onion sandwich, which was coming ona baguette, but i changed to plain white sliced bread.

The sandwich looked like a proper homemade one, and would've went down well in a Travelodge.

But............it was delicious!! I even licked my plate!!

Highly recommomend this pub ... The food is fresh as the packaging allows.

23 Dec 2008 14:50

I went to this pub for the first time a couple of weeks ago. It's a traditonal London pub with a lovely terrace garden out the back.

The food was well prepared and the Land Lord and staff were all very friendly. It's a Shepherd Neame pub so the beer is good as well.

2 Dec 2008 12:41

The Pride of Spitalfields, Shoreditch

Address: 3 Heneage Street, London, E1 5LJ [map]
See full pub details

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:

This is a great pub ,a real east end boozer.Busy right through a Friday night ,with a good number of regulars toghether with real ale quaffers and students but no after work suits.New punters popping in throughout the session and I suspect this is a popular watering hole before grabbing a curry in Brick Lane.The beer quality is excellent with Crouch Vale Brewers Gold on top form and shifting in huge quantity.Sharpes Doom Bar also good.The pub interior is small and attractive and it is possible to drink out in the quiet street .There was an excellent Motown music selection playing which added to the lively atmosphere.Very small bar so be patient while waiting to be served.The regulars do get preferrential service but who cares,it great to have a community pub like this still alive and indeed thriving.Most definately worth another visit.

2 Mar 2009 12:02

Quite a bizzare place really. Was being decorated yesterday (only paint I think). About 12 blokes on a walking tour arrived at the same time as me. Beer and service excellent, but not a wide choice. The 4 handpumps had ESB, Pride, Sharp's Doom Bar and Crouch Vale Brewer's Gold.

30 Oct 2008 10:26

I agree with all comments below - well worth a visit. Or 10.
Very curious to try the food.
Long live Lenny the cat (do I remember his name right?)

18 Aug 2008 08:53

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:

Went here on a lunch time and quite liked it. lots of Nooks and crannies and a beer garden. Only got a smell outside. Loads of Tvs if you like your sport. service was good and beer was fine although £3.30 a pint. Usual Fullers beers.

13 May 2009 17:56

Good atmosphere on Friday night, gets an extra point for having some chuffingly good looking barmaids. Otherwise, pricey, poor beer, and yes I can confirm ‘the smell’.

Not bad for a couple on a night out, but would frequent on a regular basis.

20 Apr 2009 11:52

Was there last night. The first pint of Fullers London pride was good the second was undrinkable. Rubbish beer, high prices and a tip jar. The cheek of them! The place did smell because the windows were all closed and there is no smoking to cover it.

27 Mar 2009 10:16

The Old Dispensary, Whitechapel

Address: 19a, Leman Street, London, E1 8EN [map]
Phone: 020 7702 1406
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Aldgate East (0.1 miles), Aldgate (0.2 miles), Tower Hill (0.4 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Tower Gateway (0.3 miles), Shadwell (0.7 miles), Bank (0.8 miles)

Nearest train stations: Fenchurch Street (0.4 miles), London Liverpool Street (0.6 miles), Moorgate (0.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Well done Annie - East london & city pub of the year 2009 a well deserved award keep it up.

16 Apr 2009 11:17

Art deco pub so either you like it or not instantly. Personally it lacks pub soul and feels more like a restaurant/hotel.

Moder, bright with top food. Good service. Not really a place to stand, so get there early and grab a table.

5 Mar 2009 15:03

Popped in on the strength of its Good Beer Guide entry and was pleased I did.

It's a big old building inside and manages to retain an element of its Victorian heritage despite being filled with accountants eating posh nosh and drinking wine.

The beers were in very good shape with 3 available on my visit - my Dark Star Hophead was delicious.

Although it hasn't been open in its current guise for long, the décor is wearing a bit inside, needs a lick of paint around some of the edges.

Worth seeking out if in the area, good for a slow afternoon beer.

9 Feb 2009 18:51

The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping

Address: 57 Wapping Wall, London, E1W 3SH [map]
Phone: 020 7481 1095
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Wapping (0.3 miles), Shadwell (0.4 miles), Rotherithe (0.5 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Shadwell (0.4 miles), Limehouse (0.7 miles)

Nearest train stations: Limehouse (0.6 miles), South Bermondsey (1.3 miles), Fenchurch Street (1.3 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

This pub has so much potential, but unfortunitly is not really worth a visit. Starting with the drink - there is nothing of note here, just the usual Fosters, London Pride, Gallo Wine, etc. Food isn't great, with small portions and not great quality. The staff are not very good - often getting orders wrong and spilling drinks. Also, it's pretty pricy. Basically, has the feel of a poor quality chain pub.

To top everything off, the Prospect can be a tourist trap, with full coach loads of people stopping for an "English pub experience".

The saving grace of this pub is it's location. Sunningly placed right on the bank of the Thames, with a wonderful (small) beer garden. All this pub needs to fix it is a decent landlord to restore it's former glory. Currently 4/10, but could easily approach 10 with some decent management.

27 Feb 2009 18:08

Pub was very quiet on a recent visit, but I suppose no more than is to be expected on a Monday afternoon in February. Had a really nice pint of Broadside, the staff were fine, and I enjoyed the traditional interior, and the views of the river.

25 Feb 2009 22:24

An essential stop off in Wapping and Limehouse - one of the best neighbourhoods for a pub crawl in London - but resting on its laurels in a very sorry way. It is knocked into a cocked hat by the nearby Grapes. A below par realization of a magnificent location. Still gets a mark of 7 due to past glories.

29 Dec 2008 13:19

The North Pole, Canary Wharf

Address: 74 Manilla St, London, E14 8LG [map]
Phone: 020 7987 5443
See full pub details

Nearest tube station: Canary Wharf (0.3 miles)

Nearest DLR stations: Heron Quays (0.2 miles), South Quay (0.2 miles), Canary Wharf (0.3 miles)

Nearest train stations: Limehouse (1.2 miles), Deptford (1.6 miles), South Bermondsey (1.7 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

Having to work in the hell that is CW, I have finally found the only remnant of civilisation for miles around. The 'Black sheep' was in excellent condition. I'll be regaining my sanity as often as possible there.

6 Mar 2009 23:07

Had a pint in here, quiet atmosphere, not much going on. I agree its got a lot of character but that's about it.

22 Nov 2008 15:57

A great little pub. A refreshing change from the mass of corporate chain pubs around Canary Wharf. They are dropping like flies at present but long live the North Pole!

4 Nov 2008 13:30

The Scarborough Arms, Whitechapel

Address: 35, St. Mark St, London, E1 8DJ [map]
Phone: 02074813070
See full pub details

Nearest tube stations: Aldgate East (0.2 miles), Aldgate (0.2 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 (0.7 miles), Cannon Street (0.9 miles)

Reviews by BITE users:

What a find ! A great little pub - you can sit outside - food is a bargain and the portions are massive. A friendly pub with a good range. Worth finding as it's a little off the beaten track.

4 Apr 2009 18:23

Very friendly staff and you can drink outside in the summer as the street is very quiet. Apart from that nothing special.

Better after new management. Usual bar lasses setting the service standard. Food a bargain.

5 Mar 2009 15:04

Great pub - open again and with great beer, good value food and an amazing upstairs area

13 Jan 2009 14:42

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:

Was in there yesterday for the footy, we we're provided with free bar snacks during the game, roasties, sausages, cheese and biscuits on the bar.

I thought this was a great touch, a lot of pubs used to do this years ago.

They also have posters up for the return of the DJ on Fridays.

12 Jan 2009 16:01

it's reopened now, went along a week ago but it doesn't feel like a pub anymore. my eyes hurt from the bright spotlights shining everywhere. all the bric a brac has been taken down from the shelves. and the pool table and darts have gone. where they used to be, there's a big tv screen and two sofas both facing the screen, makes it feel like you're in a cinema...
had a nice crowd of people, it's just gotta get some more comfortable lighting, and drop the time-of-the-month style colour scheme if you ask me...

10 Jan 2009 20:28

The Queens has now re-opened and under new management.

Whats New:

Flat screen TV's, 2 in the main bar and 1 in the back bar
Pool table has gone, we now have sofas.
The DJ has been replaced :(
New carpet
A fresh lick of paint.
Benches out the front gone for now.
Less clutter inside.

There are plans for a re-fit in the early new year, they are going to move the bar, put it along the wall where the stage is now, the stage will go out the back where the pool table used to be.

My mate went there last night I think, and said they had 2 singers on who were brilliant, but the pub was very empty.
Probably the time of year.

22 Dec 2008 14:34

More information

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