please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A good night to be had here!
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Only one ale tap from what I could see but they had bottled ales too. I was in here for New Year's Eve and probably had the best NYE I've ever had. The crowd was glamorous but also friendly, there was free pop corn and snacks and the bar man's party piece of setting his groin alight while the clientele sang along to "Sex on Fire" has to be seen.
I hope to get back in here again soon to see if every night is as good.
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A very pleasant watering hole in the heart of Limehouse. Pleasant bar staff and beer.
anonymous - 27 Jun 2009 11:14 |
After a 3 year gap, I return to what was once the "Five bells and whalebone".
A very pleasant time, was much enjoyed. Friendly Australian bar man recently returned from Canada; offering pop corn for free,straight out the micro wave.
Great, 3 or 4 pints of Landlord served. Highly recommended place. But,why or why hasn't a decent brewery such as Fullers,Youngs snapped up this historic pub and returned it to it's original name? The area is crying out for decent watering holes with a wider selection of beers.
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Very, very odd place. This pub is up a narrow laneway off West India Dock Road, where you would next expect to find a pub. More bizarrly, they fly the Confederate and Cuban flags out front.
Last time I was here, the jukebox seemed to be possessed by evil spirits, and would only play songs from the Grease soundtrack. If you put coins in and selected songs it would play them, but as soon as your selection was done, not only would it go back to playing Grease, but from the exact point it stopped. As a result, this place brings back horrible, horrible memories.
Oh......and it smells a bit like a zoo inside. But hey, compared to The Star of the East on West India Dock Road, this place is like the Dorchester. Best (non-Narrow Street) pub in the area by default.
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I've only been here a couple of times. During the week it can be quiet, but it's packed on friday and saturday night. Either way, the staff are friendly. Especially the delightful Mia!!
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Popped in here once or twice in the past, usually on a Friday night. Made for an extremely pleasant escape from the world of city arseholes that is Canary Wharf.
Was nice too to find a place which had a jukebox. (I'm fed up with barstaff imposing their listening preferences on us). Nice pints. Popcorn (sometimes) and the staff were second to none, and very pleasant =)
I really should go out of my way to visit this place again, probably on a Saturday for that themed night =)
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RE; The urban bar, When posting my review on this pub, I mistakenly put in the "old house at home" being opposite booty's wine bar; In fact the pub was called; "The house they left behind" apologies.
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This pub was always considered to be, !off the beaten track! By the locals, who much preferred the old house at home, opposite booty's wine bar.
It's original name was; The, "five bells and blade bone" And I'm fairly sure that the original blade bone and five bells still hang on the ceiling, More often than not it was frequented by the local wino's from the churchyard opposite.
Have to give them credit though; - most of the old neighbouring pubs are now flats.
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This is the best bar that I know of in London... Which I should be keeping quiet about because i've always prefered it when its not busy.....
You can't just come in for one, it will suck you in and make you postpone your plans until tomorrow... Somethings always happening...
The staff and owners are fantastic and make the atmosphere what it is... This is no theme bar, this is drinking for people who like it real and hardcore...
Love it
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The Grapes is my number one local but this place comes a close second, not least for being the "anti-Grapes" :-) a very useful late licence and you never know quite what to expect in here. NEVER a place for a "quiet pint" - in the best possible sense of course. The Leffe is evil mind...
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I've been away for a bit, my last day at the "Urban" was for the London Marathon. THIS WAS THE BEST TIME EVER!!! THE BAR, THE JD THE VIB WAS TOP. AT one point everyone in the place was on top of a table or a stool or the bar dancing and groovin to a really top DJ. THis place only gets better every time i visit!
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Went at weekend for friends birthday and once again had a wicked evening, landlord/manager outstanding as usual, great punters, one of my fave bars....
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Absolutely fantastic bar, hidden away in the hood. I've moved to the area just so I can say the Urban bar is my local. You'll catch me there most nights breaking my stride
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Awesomely random fun! Been here twice and had brilliant fun both times. Never been anywhere like it - this place is not to be missed unless you don't drink shots, are allergic to wigs and want to get home in one piece with all your possessions still with you and clothes not covered in an assortment of drinks and in desperate need of dry cleaning.
anonymous - 4 Mar 2005 11:47 |
Interesting bar with interesting customers. The snake seems to be healing well. Owners have thought about the lighting and it's so cosy when the candles come out at seven and the wigs and hats come out at ten. Some nights are wild with regulars dancing on tables but better to just wait and see what happens. Recommend for 'school nights' when you're feeling naughty. The 'you don't have to be mad to work there, but it helps' idea springs to mind.
anonymous - 11 Feb 2005 14:10 |
quite possibly the best and most friendly pub in the capital. A hidden gem. Friday and Saturday are the best. Can be quiet other days although still great. Fit in by donning a wig, or a hat, supplied by the bar people, dancing on the tables and singing at the top of your voice.
anonymous - 11 Feb 2005 09:18 |
quite possibly the best and most friendly pub in the capital. A hidden gem. Friday and Saturday are the best. Can be quiet other days although still great. Fit in by donning a wig, or a hat, supplied by the bar people, dancing on the tables and singing at the top of your voice.
anonymous - 11 Feb 2005 09:18 |
Check this. How cool can a bar get when the OWNER plays drums and has a 16 foot python snake! He's an Ex-Copper who now ends every night with a STAND UP, get off your arse version of AMERICAN PIE! Wow!
It not like going to any other pub. Be warned! it's like going to theatre. During the evening this bar will seem like any other; trendy in a �Friends � Central Perk� sort of way � Then as the sun goes down. And Da man hits Da Bar � things happen.
It�s hard to explain, but this Canadian guy, Mark,the owner, was born to entertain. He leaves no turn un-stoned! He moves from table to table, MAKING you enjoy yourself. Doesn�t matter if you�re 20 or 40, you will be smiling and singing along, as a carefully chosen wig or a hat it thrust upon your head.
This geezer is topman and I�ve given him my mobile 3 times now, but he�s either asleep during the day or just not bothered. I booked my birthday party at the pub so he would call, but someone else did, I never got to talk 1-on-1 on the phone, but I still had a great time!
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Where do I start! If your not willing to learn the beats to Nut bush city limits and be well up for a fab night of booze and fun DO NOT GO HERE! Excellent funky bar that attracts a mixture of people with one thing in common, partying! 10 points from moi for this funky have fun retreat.
anonymous - 26 Aug 2004 11:55 |
What a place ! I might even go back there one day. The landlord with his `membership scheme` is a real geezer ! Part of a dying breed .... as for Ricardo the Barmen, I think part of him has died already - his sense of occasion ! Top place !!
Shotman - 25 Aug 2004 14:24 |
The 5b (or the Snake Bar) never has the same night twice. School nights are almost guaranteed to go wrong. On Friday nights you can swap you suit for a Pocahontas outfit (supplied by our friendly bartender). The owner has an array of disguises including Wonder Woman, Elvis and, my favourite, Miss Sweeden (come and try her Sweedish balls of meat!)
Then there are the local characters... some of which have been acredited with their own memebership status. See Little Fil for details.
If you were planning on 'one' then whatever you do, don't go here. It�s riduculously how easily you can lose the will to leave.
Richardo, the barman, works so hard making sure that the crowd are having a great time, that he occasionally forgets to enjoy the evening for himself - Go Richie!
anonymous - 24 Aug 2004 17:49 |
Blinding pub but a bit pricey.
Owned by ex-Chicago policeman who's fallen on mellower times!
Jukebox needs changing - been coming here for nearly 4 years and still the same old tunes, take note Richard :)
Good policy of extending last orders for a bit and generally little trouble. Occasionally a few Charlies wander in with their stares but they either get the suggested 'Time to go home' or leave of their own accord.
Small garden for barbeques in summer and lovely staff are the real reason for coming here.
Top bar....
Toby - 16 Apr 2004 12:31 |
It looks very funny from the outside and frankly just as funny inside. What's with the Iguana? The mix is funny too. Doctors, nurses, australians, east enders and me. That said, it has a strangely decent atmosphere and the juke box is ace.
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A nice pub to go to in the afternoon for a quiet read (or write). Gets quite busy/loud on a Friday and Saturday evening. Several comfy sofas, and a good jukebox. Tasty pub fare.
anonymous - 11 Feb 2004 14:50 |
