The Pembury Tavern, Hackney

As a local I've been in the Pembury a few times now and have had a quiet, relaxing time with good beer. Perhaps the weekends are busier but when I've been in during the week there's only been a few of us most of the time. Although I like a ciggie I think non smoking is the way of the future so I'll go with that! Clearly, how the pub will pitch to locals is a tricky question. If there is an intention to be spotted by passers by then there is some work to be done in raising the pub's profile. It's quite possible not to spot that the pub is open when you walk past and the doors when closed are a bit off putting. So scores badly on this point.

Once inside it's a joy; an oasis in what can be a bit of a gritty and stressful area, though less so these days.

24 Jul 2006 23:57