The Approach Tavern, Bethnal Green - pub details
Address: 47, Approach Rd, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9LY [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 951 1000 (ref 1310) - calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
Bethnal Green (0.3 miles), Stepney Green (0.7 miles)
Cambridge Heath (0.2 miles), Bethnal Green (0.6 miles), London Fields (0.8 miles)
Pub facilities/features:
- Jukebox
- Food served, Real ale
- Outside seating
Pub suggested by Dan on 18 Feb 2003
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> Current user rating: 6.9/10 (rated by 36 users)
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> Local guide: London pub guide
other pubs nearby:
Habana, Bethnal Green (0.2 miles), Camel, Bethnal Green (0.2 miles), Florist, Bethnal Green (0.2 miles), Old Friends, Bethnal Green (0.2 miles), Dundee Arms, Bethnal Green (0.3 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of the Approach Tavern, Bethnal Green
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
5 most recent reviews of 27 shown - see all reviews
| Victorian street corner pub situated in a tree-lined avenue in what I suppose you'd describe as the posh part of Bethnal Green. Externally, the pub has that typical gentrified gastro pub look - a dark painted exterior, and a shop style green awning over the large outside pavement patio area. Internally, it still retains quite a traditional feel with high backed wooden settles and a traditional bar counter. It was evidently, originally, a two roomed pub with a central partition, a fact confirmed by several interesting and evocative framed pictures taken in days long gone. Note also a photo of the pub showing war time bomb damage and a photo of regulars gathering outside the pub for a day trip to Margate in July 1954. To the right of the bar counter, the seating area extends back into a room containing some reproduction war posters. At the far end is a small seating area with green painted walls and a sofa that doesn't blend in at all well with the rest of the pub. Food fare is not gastro pub food, but is a clear step up from normal pub grub and I would imagine that food trade probably dominates at busy times. Unusually for a pub, there's an art gallery on the first floor. On the real ale front, there's 5 pumps - on my visit last Saturday morning these were dispensing London Pride, Fullers Discovery, Fullers Chiswick, Gales HSB ( which is of course now brewed by Fullers ) and Adnams Bitter.The latter was on good form, but ambitiously priced at £ 3.30p - this is East London, for gawd's sake ! - I imagine the Fullers beers are similarly pricey. Despite the existence of a CAMRA mirror on the wall, I didn't sense much of a focus or commitment on the real ale front. As a pub, I didn't dislike the place, but it's a bit out of my normal territory and, taking this with the unimaginative beer range and seemingly high prices, I don't envisage a return visit. JohnBonser - 13 Jul 2009 13:22 |
| This place used to be my local and I definitely miss it. It's probably my favourite pub in London and it is well worth a trip to Bethnal Green if you don't live in East London. Of course there is nothing nicer than having somewhere like this just over the road... The atmosphere is warm and friendly, staff usually good and seemed quite settled at the time we frequented it. The food and nice range of continental beers is not cheap but I would say it's worth it. I fondly remember their all day breakfast, burgers and nachos, sleepy evenings spent outside the pub which is covered and has patio heaters. I never went to the gallery upstairs but was aware of it and it just added to the overall trendy but not snobby feel of the place. You must visit! Helen79 - 8 Jul 2008 13:04 |
| Great place - it used to be my local. Lovely traditional decor, beautiful old bar, lots of historical memorabilia, and a great big heated outdoors area with lots of tables. A little pricey for the area; the staff tend to change regularly so it can be hit and miss on the service; but a fantastic pub that always has lots of atmosphere any night of the week. stuartw - 24 Mar 2008 17:11 |
| Good range of fullers ales, well presented. Our early Friday evening visit coincided with what seemed like an after school club where the mums could drink while the children played (outside). That said, it was an enjoyable enough visit and I would go again. dagenhamdave - 19 Jun 2007 12:39 |
| This is a great pub that is deservedly popular. Fantastic choice of real ales that are all well kept. Open till midnight on fridays and saturdays. Well worth checking out. Orient22 - 22 May 2007 11:24 |
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