The Wenlock Arms, Hoxton, N1

Live piano & sax jazz yesterday, followed by very good blues soundtrack. Arrived 17:30, a time when many pubs would experience that Sun pm lull but the place was busy, buzzy, chatty and, of course, beery. Oscar Wilde, Brewers Gold, Archers Golden, Itchen Valley Winchester, Slaters Premium, Brewsters Bathsheba, Adnams, Mighty Oak Buffer (ran out). Obviously a target for ale enthusiasts but also a strong community feel to the place. True, the loos are a bit hanging.

Official site of The Wenlock Arms - wenlockarms.com

Official site of The Wenlock Arms - wenlockarms.com

This was my first visit here since attending a dart match some 15 years ago. I'm sure everyone knows the story and history behind the last twenty years of this pub. I would add that it was originally opened as the brewery tap for the nearby Wenlock Brewery which was taken over by Bass in 1961 before their merger with Charrington. One of the advantages for ex Wenlock pubs in the 1970s was if they still sold a real ale it tended to be Bass, which in those days was much sought after, still a decent drink and vastly superior to the ubiquitous Charrington's IPA. I have to say I don't recall this being a real ale outlet at that time. The tatty decor, hole in the carpet where you could look into the cellar and dart board have gone but it still retains a traditional pub feel. The hell hole Gents toilet has been replaced with a walk-in wardrobe containing two urinals and a tiny sink. On the bar all ten pumps were in use with Hackney Nelson Sauvin and Best, Dark Star Seville and American Pale, Mighty Oak Maldon Gold and Oscar Wilde Mild, ELB Quadrant Oatmeal Stout, Whitstable Renaissance Ruby Mild, Crouch Vale Brewer's Gold and RAW Pacific Ghost IPA. I went for the local Nelson Sauvin which was in good but not outstanding condition. In an area that seems to be just one large building site, it's good to see this place surviving.