The Salmon and Ball, Bethnal Green

After our experience here last week and the pub's reputation I had to leave the following review, for those that just want a number score it's 9/10, for those that want to know why... read on;

Me and a few friends went in here last week before watching boxing at York Hall which is near by, I was a little dubious at first as I used to live in the area and it didn't used to be a very nice pub at all.

We opened the doors to a blast of warmth, chatter and music playing, the pub was very busy due to the boxing crowd and another event that was happening elsewhere in the area (this is, I'm assuming, on top of the regular and passing trade).

When I saw just two bar staff (covering a bar full of people) I started having my doubts, and even suggested we should to another pub. However I was greatly surprised when we were acknowledged and told "I'll be right with you" almost as soon as I'd stepped to the bar. Less than 30 seconds later I had my order taken and dealt with alongside 3 other orders and had all the drinks in front of me in under 3 minutes, and this was by a guy recovering from a broken hand!!

We stayed for a couple of drinks before heading off to the boxing and were that impressed that we decided to go back before the last fight had even started, when we walked back in we were asked how the fights were, when we mentioned we'd left early the Barman pointed to the TV's and winked, they were showing the same event we'd just left, he then asked if we would like the same again and remembered the exact drinks we'd had earlier in the night.

This really impressed as the pub had earlier been very busy and we had only ordered 2, maybe 3, drinks.

We stayed for a couple more and chatted with the Barmaid and a few of the regulars who were all a laugh, but had to leave to catch trains etc.

All in all, it seems as though a leopard can change it's spots and we will certainly be paying it a visit again soon.

25 Jan 2013 11:55