Dirty Bones, Shoreditch, E1

Dating from 1880, this was originally the Knave of Clubs, situated on Club Row and now in the trendy Brick Lane nightlife quarter. This closed as a pub in 1994 to become a succession of restaurant/cocktail bar incarnations. Visited last night as this has a CAMRA interior of Some Regional Importance, though would probably have once had a higher ranking if much of the splendour hadn’t been ripped out. I was under the impression that I could just drink here, though probably just a lager. On arrival though, I had to wait by the entrance lectern without a greeter, noting that all tables were laid, despite the actual restaurant being upstairs. This did give me a little time to admire the bar array (now swathed in grey paint), which features ornate columns, a canopy and fine Martell Hennessy mirror. I probably could have stayed for just a drink, but couldn’t be bothered as there seemed no other attractions to hold my attention, but at least I tried.

One room with the bar to the left. No real ales - just keg rubbish.

This is really more of a restaurant than a pub, but there are a few seats/tables on the left that can be used by those just wanting a drink. There was no real ale obviously, and I didn't bother to look at a menu. This is an old Victorian pub originally called the Knave of Clubs. I was in there to have a butcher's at the original Victorian features, of which there are still several. The (now unused) door on the left leads onto a mosaic tiled floor; and where there is original tiling on the dado. And on the wall here is the piece de resistance, three gilded mirrors mainly advertising drinks and the like, but the centre one still bears the original name of the pub. The bar counter is original, as is the most unusual pillared canopy supported above it. It's all quite spectacular, and a great shame that this isn't still a pub as we know it. If you're looking for a pub experience with good ale, then steer clear of this place. But it's most certainly worth a peek at the original Victorian features. It doesn't really score anything as a pub, but I'll give it 5 for retaining a fair amount of its former glory.

Official site of Dirty Bones - dirty-bones.com