please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
My pint of "Beggars Belief" was nice and cool yesterday and in decent condition. Ideal for drinking in the sunny courtyard garden. London Pride and Doom Bar were the other ales; 2 "real" ciders from Thatchers in boxes behind the bar including Stan's Big Apple. Not cheap at £7.50 for a pint and a half but we only ever intended to stay for one drink. Certainly nowhere near as bad as we might have thought.
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Everyone knows the Krays connection , but Bobby Moore , England's World Cup winning captain was briefly the landlord here.
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Slerpy - on the white powder again.
Typos even make him even more odd.
Old age is catching him badly...
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Wealdman, Never behind a BAT before-Boycott,Root, Cook? What the fcek is that about and who made him EMPY? Emetic? Humpy? upset,sexually aroused? A foreign language? Has seen better times-so have your shite posts,it has to be said.
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Served by someone who was never behind a bat before, and was short-changed. No atmosphere in the place, and virtually empy. Has seen better times.
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Some friends and I stopped off here on the way to Tayyabs. As it was a warm evening, most people were sitting in the open area, which looked quite pleasant. The building itself is quite nondescript. There are a few items on the wall documenting the pub's notorious past with the Krays. There was some not well kept Adnams Southwold bitter and their own watery tasting pale ale on the handpump. The prices, at just under a fiver a pint, are astonishing, even by London standards. I wouldn't bother. The pub a few doors down - The White Hart - is much better, and cheaper.
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Being the sad old gits that we are (a group of 30 and 40 somethings), caught the train down from Liverpool for one of our historic pub tours.
The Beggar was the first stop simply because of the Krays background. Place was deserted when we arrived with only a chap painting up a ladder, we did get served by a dour barman and ended up sitting by the open fire drinking our overpriced beers looking for the spot where Cornell got it.
Dull and hardly worth the visit, maybe they are trading on past exploits?
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A very bland pub completely lacking in soul or character, a pint of Peroni (I know, I know but it was a hot day) here will set you back £5.
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Barman approached me and as a form of greeting just raised an eyebrow, none of the usual courtesies expected from someone serving the public, but after another pint of Courage Best Bitter I thought I would try a little small talk and surprisingly he turned out to be quite an affable chap. Lets put it down to the fact that there isnt an Englishman serving behind a bar anywhere in the Eastend any longer. Also maybe they could address the little problem of their drains, every now and then the most orrible nift permeated the bar.
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This must be the most expensive pub in the East End, �4.00 a pint of Pride.. shame as the beer garden is nice and not many of them around anymore..
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Quite a nice pub with a good beer garden and friendly staff. Really good pint of Pride but at �4.00 a pint for a pub in Whitechapel will not be going back in a hurry.
tanky - 22 Jul 2012 00:14 |
Incredibly disappointing, ultra bland pub. What a shame with it's colourful history. Just gets duller with every refurb. Friendly staff but yawn...
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What a shame... Went in here yesterday after 29 years... Initially, I thought it was closed. When I went up to the bar, I wished it had been closed. I ordered a light & bitter... the barman had no idea what I was talking about. Even after I explained that it was half a pint of bitter and a bottle of light ale, he still had no idea. He poured half of Directors into a half pint glass and then asked me if I had any preference about which lager I wanted. I tried to explain, but in the end I settled for a pint and a half of Directors. The only thing that hadn't changed was the toilets. I know, I know... It was a bit optimistic to have expected it to have been the same as last time I went in there, but I would have thought I could go into a pub and order a pint of Light & Bitter for heavens sake. Last time I went in there (1983), I was asked if I would like the light 'chilled'. I don't know why the locals put up with it. There... I've said it now. Never mind. I've got it out of my system now and I will never darken their doors again. Very, very, dissapointing. I'm only giving it a 3 because the Directors was OK and servers with a smile.
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Third visit... First was about seven years ago when there was a huge print of the twins with babs at some black tie event. This has gone. Pub plays on its nice garden, particularly liked the magazines you can borrow. Current winner of most expensive pint paid for..... �4.60 for a peroni. When it gets to a fiver, there will be no more mappiman pub reviews.
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Finally visited this pub after intending to do so for years with it being the Krays and Jack the Rippers old hunting ground. Not much evidence of the past so not too touristy. The beer was OK, service was good and quick and I liked the beer garden out back. Decent pub to pop into if you are on your way to Upton Park for the footy (as I did) and nice enough for a few cold beers in the afternoon on a summers day...
gumbo - 14 Sep 2011 17:00 |
Nice clean space now - was a pit when I first went some years ago. Amazing beer garden and decent sound.
Tourists might miss the Kray memorabilia; thankfully both are at a minimum - worth a visit for the history in any case.
Bar staff are friendly. Cute local and student crowd.
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Bland, bland, bland. I might have sat in George's seat but Ronnie was nowhere to be seen - probably because he is dead, just like this pub
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Walked in ...walked out. Nuff said. Not a pub in my eyes.
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went in there for the 1st time in a bout a year on a monday because there used to be a fantastic duo playing there. no band, place looked like a tarty wine bar absolutely dead and absolutely no atmosphere, prices the most expensive ive ever known in the east end.this pub was electric last time i came in! bring back the music and the atmosphere stayed for one drink and went somewhere else!
Pete
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Went in here for the first time a couple of weeks ago. �4.50 a pint of lager? Didn't stay for another. Place was a bit dead. I think this place may be frequented by the local lesbian community - not that that's a bad thing! Not sure would visit again due to the prices.
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Called in today whilst doing an "East End" walk from a collection by the AA (No, not Alcoholics Anonymous). As others have said, just an ordinary pub. The only indication of its history is a photo and press report, framed upon the wall. The same two real ales as described by South Yorkshireman were on offer, and when I went in I was the only customer (okay, it was one o'clock on a Wednesday). Mind you, when I took fifteen quid out of the quizzer I was only too pleased that Ronnie and Reggie weren't around.
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Its been done up a bit since my last visit - white interior - not too bad - empty inside but nice garden area packed. typical foreign bar staff that you might expect these days unfortunately.
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Further to my review, the BB serves cask ale - London Pride and Old Speckled Hen on my visit.
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Friendly welcome, efficient bar staff and a decent pint of Guinness on a mid-week visit. Has a good 'local' feel. If you like pubs with macabre associations - in this case Ronnie Kray's zero tolerance of homophobic remarks! - it is worth a visit. If brewing history interests you, take a look at the distinctive architecture of the building a couple of doors to the West (left as you face the Blind Beggar) - the former Mann, Cross and Paulin Brewery, with its impressive carving of St George and the Dragon.
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Went there as was interested to see where the Kray shooting happened, nice enough place, fairly quiet, you get the feeling its very much for locals, I almost felt like Id walked into someones front room....but in terms of a great pub - its nothing special I have to say - no need to go back.
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Visited this pub on a Wednesday evening and having read recent comments, I have to say that JohnBonser has got it spot on.
I am informed that the pub used to have a different charater and it is a big shame that such a famous and old building has lost this. What is left is just an average, fairly souless pub, which offers Speckled Hen and London Pride on draught at �3.30 per pint !
The outside is probably the best part, alongside the one photograph of the Kray twins inside on the wall.
Why do pub owners continue to refurb pubs to a state that they all end up looking the same ?
Having said that, the Blind Begger is worth a visit as its history cannot be ignored and makes this particular East End pub all the more interesting.
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The Blind Beggar is my local, so I'm bound to be a bit biased (the only other place so close to where I live is the White Hart, and some of the regulars there are, how shall I put it, vaguely terrifying).
Nevertheless, it's a decent, fairly spacious pub with friendly staff and a nice big smoking area, even if it is a little lacking in atmosphere. The music of choice appears to be "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin, every single time I go in there. Drinks are about what you'd expect, �3.20 for a pint of Fosters, �3.20 or �3.40 for a single vodka & Coke if I remember correctly. However, a pint of Peroni costs �4.20, and considering that I bought the same drink for 20p less in the Red Lion (Whitehall), I wouldn't call that particularly good value, given the location of the pub and whatnot (I do love you though, Whitechapel).
As someone else mentioned, the fact that there's only one ladies' toilet is a bit of a pain as well. All in all, if you live in the area then it is pretty much definitely your best option pub-wise, but I wouldn't put that down to the quality of the pub so much as the complete lack of anything else until you get up to the New Globe on Mile End Road. I wouldn't say it's worth going out of your way for, but it's a perfectly nice pub.
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Called the Blind Beggar after a 13th century cockney riches-to-rags legend the pub is laced with history - but you wouldn't have thought it visiting.
Recently refurbed it's not modern but new. Average.
That said, it's now run by an ex-military Brit; the bar staff are pleasant - sort of place they do shots behind the bar on a Friday night. Worth a visit to see Nadine: hopefully she'll dump her boyfriend soon.
Big concrete smoking garden to one side.
Abbot and Pride on the pumps. Walkers crisps too.
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i dont know if its true or not but my uncle Steve (who was in here the night the Crays topped George Foreman) told me that this was Jack the Rippers local!. He also sayed that Douglas Bader (who he?) was a regular and that Arneka Rice (who, Steve?) met her husband here!!
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Even as I live in town (Central London), I always still find this pub nice and homey. I came to discover it in a cold Winter evening and was extremely pleased that they have three fire places. The staff were lovely, they can cheer yopu up any time of day and the pub landlord takes time to chat new-commers and regulars alike. It's a fun place. History is also rich but dont expect portraits of Kray's hanging about as it was criticized before for glorifying crime. Still, they have tidbits of the pub's history framed all over the place. Nice pool table indoor and outdoor.
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Been coming here now for over a year, I love the huge outside area with music. Had a refit recently, wooden floors and comfy sofas replaced with less than comfortable wooden chairs. I this pub doesn't get swamped with so called 'trendies' like so many pubs in the East End. I like my pubs with character, which in my opinion disappears when the Nathan Barley lot move in.
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Was in here the other day and probably before they finished the refit see below. was bitterly disappointed. Could be so much better, with the history of the place etc. No real ale when I visited. �3.20 for Guinness.
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Well known East End pub on the main road a few hundred yards or so east of Whitechapel Tube Station.
The pub's claim to fame ( or should that be notoriety ?) is, as the whole world and his wife know by now, that this pub was the scene of a gangland killing in 1966 involving one of the Kray twins and a rival gang member. Prior to that occurrence, it was apparently a popular meeting point for the local East End totty.
I first visited this pub in the early 1970's when it appeared in the Evening Standard Guide to London Pubs, a small paperback book that introduced me to the delights of pub crawling. I vaguely recollect the pub having a rather unusual country pub feel to it in those days, what with horse brasses, fake beams etc.
My more recent visit - last week in fact - indicated that the pub appeared to have had what I would describe as a fake Victorianisation refit - complete with chandeliers, wood pannelling, plastered ceiling etc. It doesn't really work in my view - the effect is spoiled somewhat by the light pine wood flooring and the usual mixture of wooden chairs, tables and sofas.
It's a largish single bar with a large outside drinking area at the side. In a small room at the rear of the pub is a snooker table.
The pub has a rather spartan feel to it, only partially redeemed by a few small pictures of the pub in days long gone. There's also the inevitable photo of the Kray twins.
If you feel so inclined, you can get a souvenir of your visit. Blind Beggar T shirts can be bought for � 12. There's also a coin machine dispensing special engraved coins / tokens for the princely sum of � 1.
It's a former Watneys pub and still retains the round green stag sign of the former Watney Combe Reid brewery. I gather that the pub is now privately owned. Brickwork high up outside tells us that the building dates back to 1894.
There's 2 handpumps hidden amongst the lager and keg fonts. On the date of my visit, one of these was dispensing Speckled Hen, the other had its pump clip reversed. Guessing, correctly as it turned out, that there would be negligible real ale trade and that the Speckled Hen might not be up to much, I wisely stuck to the draught Guinness.
Customers were a mix of East End locals and the odd curious tourist / visitor, into which category I suppose I should place myself.
Given the pub's history, I might have expected it to have had rather more character.
In conclusion, if you haven't been before and you're in the area, I wouldn't want to discourage you from popping in out of curiousity if you felt so inclined, but I suspect you'll probably be disappointed.
This isn't a pub to go out of your way to visit.
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Anyone who comes here expecting to find a bloodstained gangland boozer is likely to be naive and very disappointed. That said, it's not a bad boozer considering the nearby options. Large and open plan with a mixture of mock-traditional and modern fittings- such as couches to lounge on- it's pretty nondescript but the London Pride was in good form. 2 other ales on offer, although I forget which. One large room alongside the long bar, with a large (not real) fire the rear end of the room, and there is a pool room situated at the back behind the bar. Not worth going out of your way for, but not one to avoid either.
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Very strange pub with a large beer garden. Seemed to lack character considering its history. Speckled hen was very poor with bits of yeast floating in it. Wont be going back here soon.
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Was in here today
Yes, its getting a bit shabby,but still an ok pub.Service was ok, regulars seemed ok.Cant comment on the ale ,as i was drinking Orange juice
Give this a tart up and it would be blinding(no pun intended)
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It is what it is; dirty full of muttering deadbeats and smelly work dodgers. The Guinness was good.
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Went in tonight - rubbish DJ and the place looked really dingy and smelt like piss. Not sure whats going on but the owner was in the pub down the road so thats how great it was.
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The outdoors is an improvement.... Only problem I really have with this place is they have a jukebox so as crazy s this may sound why not let the public choose the music they want to listen to at weekends instead of the same old generic crap that plays every Friday and Saturday.
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Was in here last sunday,no complaints about the beer, staff or the customers.
One thing though-off the wagon please brush up on your history of the east end,i have never read so much tosh in my life.
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Such a brilliant pub with a stunning garden i dont really understand if these people who write all this shit on here have actually been there? Been in many times but i went in with my family and everyone had such a great day, great food, great staff, keran is a great manager and working with dave has totally changed the pub's atmosphere. Wasn't to keen on the new manager, had a bit of attitude. Bring back the keran and steve duo.
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I haven't been in the Beggar for years but plan on a visit in a couple of weeks. I'm somewhat nervous after reading some of these reviews! Can it have deteriotated that much?
Oh well I'm locked into it now as I've made arrangements to meet a bunch of friends there. I'll post an unbiased review after my visit.
One thing I'm surprised about though, is how many people write about the pub's history and, obviously, do not know what they're talking about!!
"OffThe Wagon" ? I seriously think you should consider getting back on!!!!
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This pub lives off it's fame or should I say notoriety these days. However, it's got a lovely beer 'garden' perfect for summer's days and it does good food. It's always full of locals at weekends, and even in the winter it's welcoming with log fires.
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LOVE LOVE LOVE the outdoor pool table.
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Off the wagon, i should say. the kayes , George Corwallis , jack the ripper shooting , really ?
Say no more
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Had an ok pint last night, but there was a bit of a vomit smell about. Wouldn't go out of my way to go again
kchef - 19 Mar 2008 19:44 |
Saw the film the Kayes on TV this week. Reg Kayes shot George Corwallis in a Blind Beggar in late 70's. But this was not the actual pub. The real pub is smaller and is in the film mentioned. Jacker the ripper used this one when he shot someone in about 1910 over gambling. I like this pub but am allergic to cats and my eyes stream sometimes because of the cats and other times because of the prices. The staff are usually friendly but do not upset the govenor!
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Friendly bar staff and very warm - three roaring fires. Bog standard boozer, with usual London prices.
Anticipated character from a pub with such infamous history but it's rather bland. Bit of a missed opportunity. That said would go in again if in the area.
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To be honest, this pub is alright. Just alright. Not a bad crowd go in there, the staff are fairly friendly (as are the resident cats who like to lie by the fires) and the drinks, well spirits at least, are not overly expensive. However there's nothing that really makes it stand out from any other local pub apart from the fact it's famous. And it's a bit irritating that it only has 1 ladies' loo, so there's often a bit of a scramble to get in there when it's busy!
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I think 'off the wagon' has been drinking a little to much. Jack the Ripper shot someone, really. And I think he means Ronnie Kray, oh pass me the gun, lets end it all.
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Came here as it is supposed to be where Jack the Ripper shot somebody in the bar over a gambling debt. Many years later history repeated itself when Danny Kayes and his brother Reg came in and shot George Cornwallis. Cornwallis was one of the brothers gay lover. With all this history I must say I was disappointed to see that hardly any reference is made to it. I had a vey expensive pint of real ale which was nothing to shout about.
Rumour has it that the Landlord is very high up in the Freemasons and was specially chosen for the pub because of all the secrets that have gone on in the past. I must say Landlord that it is no secret that this place is not much upo to scratch. The food seems dire as well according to the old boy eating a pile of mush and moaning!
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I've been here last week, on a Tuesday at lunch time. There was a really nice atmosphere, it wasn't quite at all, that in my opinion is what I expect from a pub. I had lunch with my collegues and the food took 15 minutes in been served, by the chef. The taste of it was brilliant, I will definetly come back once a week. Good value, good experience.
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What a fantastic pub! I have been wanting to visit this pub for years and finally did, and I am so glad. the pub was really nice and all the staff were friendly. my family and I had food and it was amazing, not like I expected it to be. The food would be competition for a lot of restaurants. The house wine was actually house wine, with own labels, and was only �10 which for the taste was brilliant.
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great monday night with the burns brothers playing better than ever. fantastic friendly atmosphere, great bars staff and great guvnor. but the music is the thing and makes it an unmissable monday night!
anonymous - 22 Oct 2007 15:32 |
I wonder if David Bailey knows that the pub's usiing one of his most iconic images on a large banner outside? Hmmm.
anonymous - 9 Oct 2007 14:50 |
My second home! The BB is my favourite pub ever and I've been to a fair few. The new look beer garden (complete with koi carp pond) is fab, and the food is great. There's a pool table, extensive jukebox and quiz machine, great band on Monday nights - sky sports is the only thing missing (shows sport if it's on terrestrial). Bar staff are really friendly and the regulars are a great bunch - if a little crazy at times. Actually make that a lot crazy. But the Madness is part and parcel of the Beggar's soul and wouldn't be the same without it. Never not had a good night here, can't rate it highly enough.
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what a great pub, really sweet garden, (and staff). the food is great, well worth a visit.
anonymous - 28 Sep 2007 12:28 |
For the record, Ronnie Kray preferred the Grave Maurice (pron. 'Grarve Moreece') slightly further down Whitechapel Road. It was George Cornell - sadly for him - who established the pub's notoriety by deciding to have a drink in the Beggars at a moment when Ronnie desperately wanted to kill him.
But Ron would not have liked the scruffy dive the Maurice was to become. When Alan and his family ran the place, in the 60s and 70s (with its tasty good-value English food, log fire, nicotined ceiling, & plush red antimaccassared seats arranged for privacy, & the huge oak table that 20 people could sit round & have a meeting) it was a place well worth visiting. Alhough if 'the firm' happened to be in the Saloon Bar and you didn't belong, then you had go into the Public Bar. But the twins would occasionally buy all the old people a drink, plus a drink for the guv'nor and the guv'nor's wife.
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i dont know if you went there with your eyes closed or something, but i love this pub we come every year from spain to visit friends and always pop in, it just gets better and better, the food was fantastic, the staff were great, the garden is beautiful, it is a bit spookey at the haunted bar but what do you expect from somewhere named the haunted bar???? when i was last in there i dont think i even met a cockney as one person mentioned, and never seen a gangster in there but i would love to. they have their own brand of wine which was great, they have food better than most restaurants, and it is all priced quite well.
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It is the first time i visited this pub about 3 weeks ago,i found the barstaff friendly.
I got to be honest i found the pub very spooky,red lanturns on the wall and strange clientele,was going to have some dinner but thought twice about it.
Theyn didnt have any london pride on,so instead i had a pint of Old speckled hen,i paid 3 pound,which i thought was dear for this part of London.
Never will i go back again,but is an experiance.
anonymous - 23 Jun 2007 21:31 |
I've been in here for the past 20 years-and its as processed now as it was then.The pity is,that the pubs near it are now the same...
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The award this pub got was from that gastronomic bible the er, East London Advertiser (owned by Archant), whose office is just round the corner on Cambridge Heath Road. Not exactly a Michelin Star, is it?
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This place is appalling. Goole815 is absolutely spot on - no decent pubs in the area, the cheapest I think in the area is the White Hart across the road. Full of faske 'cock-er-nee' gangster wannabes and tourists. Absoultely nothing redeeming about it except for those who want to see a pub that which just happens to be named the same as a reasonable boozer back in the 60's which is now a sh1t-tip
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To all those who've criticised this it might be worth mentioning that this pub has just won Best Bar & Best Pub-restaurant in East london from the Archant Food & Drink awards. Obviously their doing something right
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I visited here Sunday evening 26th Nov and to be fair I found a big improvement from last visit, the Landlady/barmaid?? was friendly, the toilets and grubby chairs cleaned/changed and most importantly and suprising was the London Pride was fine. Rate 5 out of 10.
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Everything that has been said is true and to charge 3 quid a pint in Whitechapel is ridiculous! The decline started 3 or 4 years ago and it has not improved since the guy who use to run it bought it and if anything it has got worse (which I didn't think was possible).
If I am gonna pay 3 quid a pint then I expect a lot more than what they offer... there is no entertainment on a weekend!
The guy needs to make some major changes but it might be beyond help now.
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I've just stumbled accross this site and I have to say, this all seems a bit harse...
I Admit, I haven't been in there for a couple of years, (I've moved away from the area) but I don't remember it being half as bad as the other 'posters' here make out.
Myself and a few friends used to be in there every Sunday, pretty much without fail, and it was always nice enough. Staff were always friendy, (if Dave, Kat or Maggi still work there, hi) as were most of the regulars.
Many a good memory of a lazy summer Sunday, roast dinner in the garden followed by a fat cigar and a few pints with friendly faces.
Unless things have changed dramatically recently - well worth a look.
Hey, remember it's Whitechapel and not Mayfair - if you want trend, go to 93 Feet East in Brick Lane....
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A MUST IF YOU VISIT THE EAST END ! FANTASTIC, GREAT FOOD AND FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE. FULLY RESTORED AND WITH A GREAT NEW BEER GARDEN TO RELAX IN.DON'T BELIEVE ME, THEN TRY IT FOR YOURSELF !! CHECK OUT MONDAY NIGHTS, THE ENTERTAINMENT THERE IS JUST CRAZY !!!
GARY - 10 Oct 2006 22:42 |
This pub used to have character. It used to be great. I was proud this was my local.
Sometimes the service was slow but forgivable and the toilets certainly needed sorting out but even then I was proud that this was my local.
I can confirm that at one point it got so bad that it did 'stink of pee' as one commentor stated.
However, they have since refurbished.
They have just removed the last iota of character that was hanging by a thread. Since the refurb, the prices are even more Shoreditch. I recommend INDO if that's what you're after - great venue opposite the Mosque, I think it might even be cheaper or if you want just a pub, go to the Black Bull. Otherwise, go to Ten Bells or The Golden Heart or any other pub in the area!
The 'trendy' conservatory. Give me a break. The sculpture exhibition. Is that what that was?
I don't want to "forget Whitechapel is behind the gates". That's why I live here.
I can honestly say, that I have registered for this website just because I can't bear what they have done to the place. It's been a steady decline through which I battled on regardless. I have now conceded defeat. It's terrible.
You might enjoy yourself if you pop in for a quick pint, but you would never want it as your local.
The cat is still very cool but is that enough?
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Sorry - amendment to my previous, which should read "over forty years later..." Thanks.
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Oh dear! My use of this place goes back to the difficult days of the 1960s but when you could get a marvellous pork and onion roll in Bloom's bread, but left before 8 in the evening. It served beautiful beer, originally from the then-attached brewery. Now - after over twenty years later almost unrecognisable. The bar is totally out of shape compared with the inside of the building (go - youll see what I mean). I drank formula cider. There are, though, two very good points : an especially fine beer garden and a superb cat, whose deportment suggested that he was actually the licencee!. But is there a decent pub on Whitechapel High Strret now? I feel sorry for the staff of the world's best hospital across the road; they deserve better.
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When the biggest selling point of a pub is that a notorious criminal once came in and killed a patron mid-drink, I think it's best left unvisited.
You're better off wandering up to The Black Bull. Sure, it's a shithole as well, but at least it has decent beer, and isn't populated by plastic gangsters and morbid tourists who think the Krays deserve some adulation.
Anyway, if Ronnie Kray was so great, he would have had the decency to buy a pint before creating the mess...
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Seems to be a few moans about this place. Don't know why. Visited recently and thought very good. Enjoyed beer (lager drinker) and the garden is superb. You tend to forget that Whitechapel is beyond the gates. They were also having a sculpture exhibition when I was there. Will certainly call again.
Shrek - 18 Jun 2006 04:28 |
This was my local for many a year back in the 80s 90s.
Visited today and thought i was in the wrong place. The owner now thinks he is doing you a turn by serving you. And the bar staff would be better placed in a prisoner of war camp. Ignorent is to polite of a word for them. Once over very nice pub great bar staff now A SHIT HOLE KEEP AWAY.
anonymous - 2 Jun 2006 12:19 |
Extremely busy circuit pub a few years back, always rammo at week-ends,Bar was central,DJ.booth on the right as you walked in,back in the 70s and early eighties no one gave a toss what the twins did, we were hardly ever reminded,and there was never any memorabilia plastered on the walls either,just good loud music,always stunning birds behind the ramp(saturday nights,six staff behind the bar,and they were pushed) Great days believe me; you's chav's and chavesses dont know what you missed,Honest.
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Having just moved into the area I am chuffed to bits with how friendly the staff are in this pub. It has a new manager and is recently refurbished, however the only thing that gives this away is the clean and shinyness of everything, as it's very much in the traditional dark wood and swirly carpet pub style - no more chain/theme pub posturings. Nice open fires in the winter too. For the more style conscious it has a great conservatory with trendy sofas and a lovely beer garden (recent opening celebrated by a black tie evening and string quartet). All in all worthy of more praise than it's had on this site so far, a traditional pub with a friendly atmosphere (and two very cute cats).
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Couldn't agree more Mr Monkfish. This place is a dive, plain and simple. I am reliably informed it was a good boozer 'back in the day'.
'They were good boys, god bless em'. Loved their mum. Only ever harmed their own kind'....... give it rest!
anonymous - 2 Mar 2006 12:10 |
If you are the kind of tosspot that would visit a pub just because the Kray twins once shot some poor sod in there( Still it's alright, they kept down petty crime, only hurt other villains and perhaps most importantly lved their mum) then you frankly deserve to drink in this dive. Go back to your safe middle-class neighbourhoods, sit on your Habitat furniture and enjoy a nice Marks & Sparks ready meal (they are such good quality I don't mind paying the extra sweetie)and have a long slow think about your life and your library of sub-Janet & John literature from the Real Crime section at Waterstones you rubbernecking ghouls.
A pub best avoided for any of the usual reasons; bad beer, bad prices, shitty service by any sane human being. Happened to pop in here once whilst waiting an inordinate length of time for a bus on the street outside and have no desire to repeat the experience and have hated myself for it ever since.
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I visited this pub in late November, (after a gap of five years), with a friend who was visiting from overseas, and was excited about seeing a pub with so much history.
What a disappointment. They've ruined the place. Now it's just like any other chain pub, with no character. I won't be returning there in a hurry.
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fair play to red_oktbr. mind you in my defense i did say ``not many people know this.'' i didn't say that's because it's not true.
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I beg to differ with tansderson7.
March 9, 1966 - Ronnie Kray shot George Cornell in The Blind Beggar
Reggie Kray murdered Jack "the Hat" McVitie in November 1966 in a flat in Stoke Newington
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Ok pub. go in there after football. One of the barmaids looks like a porn star
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Not many people know this but this is the pub where the Kray twins knocked off Jack ``the hat'' McVitie. Good boozer.
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the pub has taken alot of bad press in recent times but going there now is a new experience . The new company have really turned it around . The bar staff are pleasant , the toilets have been re-built and the whole pub looks immaculate . Good on them .
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Yes, go to the Blind Beggar if you want a good East End Pub with a real cockney barmaid and good ale - NOT!! A barmaid who couldn't speak English, 2 pints of vinegar ... oh sorry I mean Directors for �5.80! AND she didn't even have the bloody cricket on. We managed to force down a drink and in that time about 10 people came in, looked around and walked back out again. I think the Krays may be turning in their graves! Absolutely 'orrible!
Hucks - 12 Sep 2005 11:18 |
I quote a good friend's comment to the barmaid on my last visit.
"You'll need some more shootings in here to sort this place out!"
I think that covers it.
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Place stinks... The posters of Krays are not original private collection but poorly reproduced enlarged prints of shite quality just like the beer. Barman/landlord scruffy and absolutely clueless about ale. Seating just makes you want to vomit... no really it does...Don't bother visiting it is very crap. It needs a proper Eastender with knowledge about history and ale in charge... otherwise change the name and forget it. Very poor indeed. Possibly the worst.
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A few years ago this was a good little pub with a good buzz about it, decent music and a selection of fit girls behind the bar but then things went badly wrong.
The bloke "in charge" decided the place should become a tacky theme pub of the Krays with pictures all over the gaff. To top it off there is even pictures near the pool table of the manager with a wannabe gangster group with things written underneath like "Be Lucky".
It has really gone down hill and is now in administration. Which they use as an excuse for everything... toilets are disgusting, have no lighting and stink to high heaven but they can't do anything about it because of "we are in administration".
In other words I wouldn't put myself out if I was you!
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Stinks of pee. NO SERIOUSLY. very bad smell of pee and NO excuse, not even busy. Beer flat and no fit bar staff to be seen as reported here. Big let down.
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I went yesterday for Sunday Lunch with a few friends and found that although the bar staff were nice to look at, their talents ended there. We all ordered a starter and main course- they tried to give us our raost before our prawn cocktail and then had a go at us for not telling them what order we wanted the courses in!
Aside from that the beer is good, the furniture comfortable, the cats are friendly, the atmosphere pleasant and the prawns on the bar are a great touch. Also a superb place for spotting wannabe gangsters who seem to think that wearing lots of tacky gold and drinking where the mob USED to drink makes them untouchable. A laugh a minute.
Just a shame about the food.
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One of the best pubs in the area, friendly, beer good, food fine.
If you visit on a Sunday you may find yourslf peeling prawns for the pub cat
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Nice cheap pub, good pet cats and fireplaces. Tequila is a bit warm and true english style drinks with more spirit, less mix & ice theory. Good for a quiet few drinks but toilet seat does seem to be next to the toilet??
anonymous - 11 Feb 2005 14:04 |
how good is this pub ? we went out for a monday night for crimbo drinks and it was open till one in the morning - and , the fit santa hat wearing bar maid ( eve we think her name was ) told me they open late every monday . band played , pub was rammed , the bar girls worked their fit bits off and was just a bloody good time . bar girls are well worth a look - nice and friendly - and genuine - not all pally pally cause they have to be - you can tell they loving it and we loved them . blind beggar bar girls - we love ya - if only other places in london had bar staff that were as nice - and fit as you lot . cheers beggar for a top night - will be coming again for sure . you can prob tell me and the boys want the bar maids numbers ! ha ha .
anonymous - 21 Dec 2004 15:32 |
One of the friendliest places I know. Bar staff are lovely and always welcoming. Never any trouble, Sunday dinners are gorgeous. Fantastic Monday nights.
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visited with my son in september.best pub ive ever been to. i loved pip the cat.
michael - 21 Oct 2004 10:26 |
fantastic place real atmosphere well worth a visit
electra - 3 Oct 2004 20:48 |
Use to be a good pub but unfortunately the bloke in charge slowly turned it into a theme pub of the Krays and gangsters. Tacky pictures on the wall of the manager posing with gangsters to satisfy his own ego!
As I say worth a look but go soon before it gets even worst.
DP - 5 Jun 2004 17:49 |
great east end boozer good choice of ales and just a great place for a beer
fat dog - 11 Apr 2004 13:29 |
Apparently refurbed several times since 'the incident'.
Comfy well-worn seats, and yes, two massive pictures of the Krays at one end. Could this be the only pub to glorify a murder there, along with one of the instigators? Dunno, but I did wonder what George Cornell's family mad of it. Interesting, nonetheless, with some surprisingly attractive rough women, if that makes sense.
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Really nice pub. Friendly staff, good range of beer, conservatory if you want to avoid being in close proximity to someone smoking, outdoor area to sit in the summer. Nice atmosphere - generally first choice if you want a pint in Whitechapel although the Urban bar is quite unique too.
Lucy - 20 Feb 2004 13:21 |
Monday night is fantastic. the Burns Brothers Play from 9 Till 11.15 and the place is jumping!
the bar staff get really into it too, dancing and singing along.The best monday night in london without a doubt
Gerry Peters - 5 Feb 2004 18:29 |
Excellent pub, spoke to 'Mad' frank here. Cool pics of the Krays too.
Jason - 2 Dec 2003 23:59 |
NICE ATMOSPHERE, FRIENDLY, GOOD PINT, NICE BIT OF EAST END STORY TELLING. WORTH THE VISIT
ROSSCO - 29 Sep 2003 11:30 |
The BEST pub in the East-End and my second home!!
Gemma - 21 Sep 2003 13:45 |
Wonderful place. Staff were friendly and I loved the cats. Not a great pint of guinness tho I'm afraid
kevo - 14 Sep 2003 21:42 |
I suggest popping accross the Cambridge Heath road for a decent pint in the White Hart (a.k.a Murphy's). The BB is full of chinz and gaudy brass fittings, or while you're here go for a curry accross the Mile End road.
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ronnie kray shot someone in here, just walked in and pumped off a couple o' rounds into his head.
drazic - 8 Aug 2003 20:50 |
The Sunday lunch was devine
Kim - 23 Jul 2003 04:52 |
The dim interior is relaxing and musty as one sinks into the a cracked old leather chair and falls asleep with a cat.
For some light and air, there's a rather tacky conservatory leading to a small, leafy, well-kept beer garden.
Also boasts a pool table and dart board and live footy.
Ropey on the bitter front and sadly glamorizes murderers, but that latter seems an afterthought.
One of the most enjoyable pubs in the area.
murtcepsxz - 3 Jun 2003 17:43 |
In the early 1970's we used to attend many a Sunday'school'at the Beggar. Revisited again in 1999 and dissappointed that the place had changed completely
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Also known as the TARDIS, it's a nice-sized pub, but about 50,000 people were apparently in there on that fateful night !!
TC - 17 Oct 2002 14:07 |
a great old fashioned pub made famous by the Krays -
stuart - 17 Oct 2002 12:47 |
