The Dickens Inn, E1

Fine looking pub, suffers from its location and cashing in on it, losing character

From the outside the Dickens Inn looks very inviting with three balconied floors covered with green bushes, or flowers depending on what month you visit. At the entrance, steps lead up to a veranda with seating, and below are a couple of decked seating areas. The top two floors are restaurants and function rooms that I’ve never visited. The ground floor consists of two bars, a long one to the left and a smaller L-shaped one to the right. The bar counters run across the rear wall and seating runs across the front windows. This pub is designed for the hoards so most of the space is standing room. Thankfully, it was only just starting to fill up during my midweek afternoon visit so I was able to have a look around the dark wood and exposed brick interior of this former warehouse. The right hand bar was open, but there was only service in the left hand bar. I counted six hand pumps, five of which were in operation drawing two ales from Sambrook’s, Sharps’ Doom Bar and 2x Greene King IPA. Premium and craft keg was also available at tourist prices. I went for half a Wandle which was flat. I’ve never liked this place, and after a hiatus of over twenty years I still don’t.

A large, impressive building dominating St Katherine's Dock - what a pity it's such an awful pub. I was here just after opening time and there weren't many customers. Not much beer, either, with just two hand pumps active and several unused ones obscured by junk on the bar counter. Doom Bar and Greene King IPA, and my half of the latter was banana-ish and unpleasant. Perhaps they think that's what real ale is meant to taste like? Very disappointing - this could be so much better with a little effort. Date of visit: 9th February 2022

An elevated barn-like tourist hell hole complete with high vised security men strutting around inside and out. Six handpumps covering three beers, Sambrooks Wandle and Pumphouse Pale along with GK IPA. won't be back.