The Camel, E2

Official site of The Camel - www.thecamele2.co.uk

A first for us a few nights ago into this late Victorian corner pub and what a treat! The most noticeable thing on arrival is the beautiful glazed burgundy tilework with raised scroll motifs, the name picked out on cream coloured glazed tiles to the fascia, all of which probably dates from around 1900. Inside it's a very dinky place, broadly L-shaped with bar to the rear, which is attractive and probably original, featuring an unusual brass handrail; to the rear is a lovely brass Victorian cash register. The floor is bare boarded and there's wainscoting to the rear, above which are some old prints. A couple of mirrors adorn the wall, which are covered with black and red floral wallpaper; wooden fittings are dark lacquered with lighting comprising mainly glass and brass hanging lanterns with similar sconce lights and gas effect spherical sconce lights to the rear snug. There's food, but it's along the likes of pies, or what looked like stew and mash, all of which looked very good. The pub was full barring one table - it's a small pub - and most customers seemed to be under 40. The staff were very friendly and efficient, delivering my pint of Adnams Sea Strange to my table and for just £4.20 - very good it was too. Sambrook's Wandle was also on offer, though two pumps were sadly unused. In all, there was a great feel to the place. This makes for a good double with The Florists Arms next door and is a must-visit if in E2 - for once, you'll look forward to a pub that gives you the hump.

A classic, small, Victorian, street corner local. The welcome from the staff was friendly and the pub popular on our Thursday lunchtime visit with many choosing to eat on the benches at the front of the pub. There's also a small courtyard at the back. The Camel specialises in pies and there were many varieties on offer. They all looked good and a brisk trade was being done. A chalk board inside advertises various cocktails with Bloody Mary's a speciality and there's a selection of board games available. Beers were Oakham Citra, which flew down, Sambrooks Wandle, Adnams Ghost Ship and Five Points Pale. A decent selection for such a small boozer. An unexpected gem in Bethnal Green which richly deserves a visit.

I was impressed by this little place,with it's wonderful glazed tiled exterior and street corner location.The small interior doesn't feel cramped with the clever use of several wall mirrors,there are a few high tables at the front ,and more traditional wooden furniture as you go to the rear.There are 4 handpumps ,and I went straight to the Oakham Citra,which was on top form.There was a friendly reception from behind the bar,and food tended to focus on pies ,but with upmarket fillings.They looked good,although I was just in for a beer. I could have stayed much longer ,and would have been happy to sample both Adnams Ghostship and Five Points Pale from a good real ale offering.Benches outside were being well used on my lunchtime visit. This pub is on the list for a revisit ,it sits in a road which is gentrifying but it retains a pub atmosphere and hasn't gone gastro. Dont miss it when you are next in Bethnal Green .

Attractive little corner pub, with its longer frontage on a side alley. Some impressive brown tile-work on the façade, but the compact interior seems to have been knocked around quite a bit. Still, it has a fair amount of character in its own way, with some rather startling red-rose-on-black wallpaper in the narrow bar and (mostly) traditional furniture. Also has some wooden benches along the side. Four real ales on handpump: Broadside and Tally-Ho from Adnams (with several more of this company's clips on display behind the bar), Tribute and Wandle (£3.60).