The Hare, E2

This is a small local’s boozer close to Cambridge Heath station and Regent’s canal. The pub has a simple L-shaped interior, carpeted for the most part but with a few bare boarded sections here and there, including the area immediately around the servery. The bar runs along the rear wall and has an attractive panelled counter with a twisted metal foot rail, a wide mirrored bar back and an integral door with a frosted glass pane in the bar back, with the pub’s name picked out on it. The bar back is topped with numerous hare ornaments and some random Arsenal memorabilia, which seemed a bit odd for an East London boozer, although I later noticed that the landlord was wearing an Arsenal shirt. Plush padded bench seating can be found to the front, right and left, with loads of chairs and low stools in support plus some high tables and stools opposite the bar. The room extends to the rear left where the extra space has been given over to a pool table. Decor includes various blackboards, including one offering customers a welcome and another detailing upcoming sport fixtures being shown here, each flanking an old painted board listing various spirits. A few pictures have been hung on the walls here and there, including a huge one of nighttime London from above, which was blocked by a large pull down screen showing a West Ham match, whilst several other screens around the room were showing Sky Sports News. I also spotted a jukebox, a lovely pub mirror and a fake road sign with the pub’s name. On the bar, handpulls were dispensing Fullers London Pride, Taylors Landlord and the local Five Points XPA. I’d just had a rather disappointing pint at the Five Points brewery tap, but risked the XPA and found it in excellent condition, served to me by a friendly, old school barmaid. There was a good Thursday night crowd, to the point that there were no seats available, so I had to sit at the bar instead. This is a very good traditional boozer that seems to be doing just fine amongst the flood of gentrified pubs and fancy modern bars, which is enough in itself to make it worth investigating. The good service, excellent beer and homely environs elevate this place above most other such East London local’s boozers and I'd definitely call in again if I were passing by.

This pub has existed here since 1792 but was rebuilt for Truman's around 1860, the attractive tiled facade probably added in the 1930s, the long-term cracked window added at a much later date - I hope. As described below, this is a basic locals' pub, part carpeted and part bare boarded with vinyl banquettes to the periphery with traditional/modern furniture. Walls are painted black with a white Anaglypta ceiling; there's a pool table to the rear with a door out onto a patio garden. The bar is modern field panelled with mirrored back which may be older, reflecting a myriad bottles, inverted with contents dispensed by optics. Lights are quite traditional with a few hipster filament bulbs, perhaps trying to attract incomers, possibly a bit bright but could be reduced if the windows weren't obscured with louvre blinds. Décor comprises some old prints and framed pictures of the old Highbury stadium, flanked by a few Arsenal players; no doubts then as to the pub's football leanings. To the left wall, there's a huge night-time aerial panorama of London. There are a multitude of TVs, all showing different channels; there's an additional projector, possibly only when Arsenal are playing? There's also a flashing games machine. The pub serves a range of 12 Scotches as well as 12 taps dispensing craft from the local Five Points Brewery and the likes of fizz as well as Guinness and Strongbow. Amazingly, there were three ales: GK IPA, TT Landlord and Five Points Pale at a very agreeable £4.20 and on good form, served up by a friendly old-school landlady, who seemed to be on very familiar terms with her obviously loyal customers, cackling away with them. Seemingly clean and tidy, this is an ok pub and something of a last stand amidst a sea of hypsterfied pubs in this now very trendy area and long may it survive, but I would prefer something a little less sport orientated and perhaps a little less linguistically earthy; there was no sign of the aforementioned pub cat.

Official site of The Hare - theharee2.com

Official site of The Hare - theharee2.com