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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Hamish McLambat left this review about The Dispensary
As has been said, it is a lovely building and a POTY winner previously. However, it does feel much more of a bar to me and is a little on the expensive side, but perhaps that is my roots creeping out. None the less, some lovely ale and a very fine burger is to be had here. Well done.
On 3rd April 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6 recommendations about 5 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Dispensary
This is an impressive and thoughtfully preserved building. The main entrance has a tiled floor, this would once have been a lobby but is now open to the rooms either side. The main area and bar are to the left, wood flooring in here, possibly original, seating at leather covered benches and armchairs at small doubled up square tables along the outside wall plus shelves and high tables for the vertical drinkers. The feel is rather modern and airy but many original features do remain, such as the lower wood panelling now painted blue. The upper walls are painted in a white/cream colour as is the high ceiling, where a couple of fans whirr away. Upstairs is a mezzanine floor built over the bar area where people were eating but the area is not exclusively for diners. This area is lit by a row of circular rooflights. To the right of the entrance is a smaller more intimate area with sofas and armchairs, rather like an elegant living room.
Decor includes strategically placed Champagne bottles, a framed display of their labels, plus some river scenes. There are large white candles in glass jars with coffee beans.
A GBG 2010 entry and East London/City branch POTY 2009. Five handpumps, three on at the time, Sharps Red Ale, Nethergate Florence Nightingale and Crouch Vale Brewers Gold. I had the Brewers Gold and it was in fine condition.
The pub is closed on Saturdays and Sundays as are many in this area.
On 25th September 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 861 recommendations about 852 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Dispensary
One large bar with a couple of small drinking areas to the side and a restaurant upstairs.The inside seems a bit clinical and it does not have the feeling of a pub.This place was CAMRA city and east London pub of the year 2009 but on my visit there were only 2 real ales on with the Sharps Red Ale being in very poor condition.Perhaps it was a bad day.
On 24th September 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1845 recommendations about 1831 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Dispensary
Now any historic building that has been saved from demolition by being turned into a pub scores in my book. And especially a fine Grade II Victorian one like this.
The building was originally built in 1858 to house the Eastern Dispensary, an initiative at the time by local doctors trying to bring medical treatment to the poor, well before Bevan was having thoughts about the health service. The hospital finally closed in 1940 and was converted into a pub in 1998. A lot of the original features, like the Portland stone staircase and Victorian tiled entrance hall have been restored and the whole place now has a light airy modern style decor throughout.
On the ground floor there is the main bar area to the left of the main entrance, with wooden tables and leather chairs, but still room enough to accommodate vertical drinkers. And then off to the right are two smaller rooms with more comfortable lounge style seating.
On the floor above is the restaurant section with most diners being accommodated on the mezzanine floor.
Yes I tend to agree that the decor does have it more like a modern bar than a traditional pub feel, but the big plus as referred to below, is the row of five hand pumps sitting on the bar top, and the policy of a regularly changing list of regional beers. On this visit these included Nethergate Sweeny Todd , Ascots Posh Pooch and Itchen Valley Pure Gold with the other two reversed . I’ve never had a bad pint here and this visit was the same with the Sweeny Todd being an excellent pint.
On 5th June 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 901 recommendations about 881 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Dispensary
Fine old building converted to a bar next to the entrance and private dining rooms upstairs.The atmosphere and furniture is more bar than pub ,and the main room to the left of the entrance quickly becomes full of vertical drinkers.There is a quieter area to the right with more tables and leather upright chairs.Not far from the City but more popular with students than suits,the attraction is the ale.5 handpumps ,one reversed the other serving Dark Star Golden Gate (fantastic),Slaters Craic,Nethergate Old Growler and Itchen Valley Pure Gold which also ran out quickly .All very well kept ,and despite being busy all staff topped up pints without being asked,bright efficient service.If you get seated there are free hot nibbles between 5pm and 7pm ,nice touch.Prices are very reasonable for the area £2.80 per pint and although pub traditionalists might recoil ,you cant argue with the range and ale quality served here.Deserving of its CAMRA branch pub of the year award.
On 1st April 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 763 recommendations about 763 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Manky Badger left this review about The Dispensary
It had a good ale selection, and had been voted CAMRA local pub of the year. But in all honesty I found it to be a rather pretentious pub which would probably far rather be a wine bar.
7/10 for the ales.
On 25th February 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 155 recommendations about 154 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Dispensary
Very nice pub this, smaller inside than it looks.
Lots of different chairs & tables, mez restaurant area. Very nice inside, high ceiling, comfortable.
Nice beer and choice, worth a visit
On 11th October 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 540 recommendations about 527 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
James London left this review about The Dispensary
Good ale, great foos (a little Gastroish). John must walk very slowly or maybe it's the new piece of road that make's it only 2 mins from Aldgate East now. Worth visiting, as always, not at the weekend.
On 6th August 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 17 recommendations about 17 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Dispensary
Popped in on the strength of its Good Beer Guide entry and was pleased I did. It's a cavernous old building inside and manages to retain an element of its Victorian heritage despite being filled with accountants eating posh nosh and drinking wine; the place does lack a bit of soul, perhaps but at least the vast windows let in plenty of light. The beers were in very good shape with three available on my visit - my Dark Star Hophead was delicious. Although it hasn't been open in its current guise for long, the décor is already wearing a bit inside, needs a lick of paint around some of the edges.
Worth seeking out if in the area, good for a slow afternoon beer – open Monday to Friday only, though.
On 9th February 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1539 recommendations about 1534 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Dispensary
This is a modern refurbished pub that used to be a hospital, Hophead was on sale when we were there with other guest beers. 10 minutes from Aldgate/Aldgate East Stations
On 30th January 2007
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1845 recommendations about 1831 pubs]