The Palm Tree, Mile End

Overall, this is a very special pub.

Great atmosphere, well-kept ales, and a fairly unusual location in the middle of Mile End park.

They *do* seem to have a bit of a problem with people carrying bags. Even small shoulder bags. I can't quite work out what the issue is, and they wouldn't really explain, but they definitely don't like it.

Also, the prices tend to be on the high side of random.

But when you hear the remarkable jazz singing on a Friday or Saturday night, these oddities just fade into the background. Well worth a visit.

19 Jul 2008 12:04

The Exmouth Arms, Exmouth Market

I cannot think of a worse pub in London.

Not that I had much time to judge it, mind you. I popped in with a friend on a Saturday night at around 9pm for a quick drink. The place was not busy, maybe a dozen people, and no-one was waiting to be served at the bar. I went up to the bar to buy some drinks - the barmaid was standing at the other end of the bar chatting to a friend. She looked at me, then continued chatting. I continued to wait. She looked over again, took a few steps in my direction, then started messing around with her iPod. After a minute of being ignored, I decided that ANYWHERE would be better than this, so we left.

Maybe if we had actually managed to have a drink, we might have enjoyed the place. But, to be honest, I doubt it - the clientele was distinctly chavvy, and the atmosphere wasn't up to much either.

18 Jan 2007 08:55