The Pride of Spitalfields, Shoreditch

An unreconstructed east end boozer and it deserves points for survival. I remember not that long ago when Brick Lane boasted ten pubs - all now gone, mostly turned into identikit curry houses. It would make a nice refuge from the tourist hoards of Brick Lane if it weren't so very small inside. The chances of getting a seat here are not great, but the beer is good.

5 Aug 2009 11:27

The Narrow Boat, Islington

Since modernisation and extension this has lost its charm and increased its prices. On our visit recently several of the beers were off and the bar server was not at all knowledgeable about those that were available. This long thin shaped premises used to be intimate cramped and appealing. It is now noisy cramped and unattractive.

5 Aug 2009 11:20

The Wenlock Arms, Hoxton

....... and just what is wrong with traditional decor and clientele 'cptrelentless'? Some of us value pubs like this greatly as precious survivals. This is what pubs are supposed to be: meeting places for locals and purveyors of good beer. The Wenlock is a gem and as far from a bar 'concept' dreamed up by a 'creative team' as you can get. Long may it be so.

5 Aug 2009 11:15