The Denmark Arms, East Ham, E6

On CAMRA’s National Inventory, so in I went. Run by Antic and they’ve done a proper Antic-style job on this one - stinky and skanky with chunks of the place in disrepair to the extent of appalling, such as the women’s loos not having a functioning light. The interior, whilst managing to hold a few items of faded grandeur (like the tiling and pillars) is, to quote the below reviewer “a large cavernous stripped out echoey barn where most original period features have long gone”. Unlike the previous reviewer however, we did this one before the Boleyn! A friendly barman and a fair pint of the single cask of Volden (NBSS 3) wasn’t enough to turn my opinion. It’s a flea pit, the Antic joke really has worn thin.

This pub reopened mid August after being closed for six months for some renovation and refit and in their websites words, some TLC and a new person in charge behind the bar. So I had great hopes for this one when visiting as a double with the nearby Boleyn. But on entering I have to say my immediate thoughts were “er, so what exactly have you done to the place ?”. Externally it’s a wonderful Victorian corner pub. Internally it’s a large cavernous stripped out echoey barn where most original period features have long gone. Yes there are some remaining green wall tiling and floor tiling around the serving area and some nice chandeliers, but these are all a bit overwhelmed by the ad hoc collection of assorted seating giving the usual Antic impression that most of it had been reclaimed from skips. And no tassel shaded standard lamps for us. Perhaps I would have been more sympathetic if we had visited this one first instead of the Boleyn, but coming from the Boleyn this was all a bit of a let down, something that continued when we tried the ales. Two of the three pumps in use, one badged with Volden Session Ale and the other with a chalk board advertising Timothy Taylor Landlord. We went for the Landlord which on trying was clearly off and undrinkable. This was exchanged without quibble for the Volden which was drinkable, but still not great. Yes it was only £3.40, but I would rather pay a £1 more for something I enjoyed. We took these to one of the front widow seats where we sat and listened to the modern music soundtrack thumping out of the speakers at a volume which seemed over the top considering the few tables that were in on this late Saturday lunchtime. We did consider asking if they had any Jazz they could put on, but had already concluded that were were probably not the target demographic for the new management. Something that got cemented when members of the young bar staff team started rearranging the ad hoc furniture in the middle of the room in front of us into an even more ad hoc way seemingly trying to squeeze in a DJ booth. In truth the back section behind the bar is a bit more ornate, and the ceiling and floor and furniture here is more interesting and we would’ve possibly been more comfortable in this section, but suffice to say we didn’t feel inclined to stay for a second beer and find out. I am fully aware that pub appreciation is something that is very subjective, but I am genuinely gobsmacked that anyone who appreciates a comfortable traditional pub would prefer drinking in here than the Boleyn down the road. Now that this one has reopened perhaps they could revisit and explain to me what I’m missing. I know which one I would prefer to drink in and I think you can guess where to find me.