The Hare, Cambridge Heath, E2

This pub has an attractive and distinctive old brewery facade (Trumans possibly), but inside it’s very basic. It’s carpeted, which I like as it tends to reduce ambient noise, has some classic plastic covered banquette seating around the sides, tall stools at ledges circling the pillars in the middle of the room, and some normal tables and chairs. There’s a pool table at the back to the left of the bar counter, and wall decor seems to be restricted to framed football shirts (I didn’t recognise any of the teams, but that could be because I wasn’t wearing my glasses, so could be some other sport). There were several TVs on the walls and behind the bar, all on showing different channels, but muted. It was doing a good trade on Saturday afternoon, but the pub cat was totally unfazed by all the activity going on around it, lying trustingly in the middle of the floor. There were two ales on – GKIPA and Timothy Taylor Landlord. I had a pint of the latter of course, which although good value at £3 a pint, wasn’t in great nick. I didn’t see any signs of food being available. This is a basic locals’ pub. There’s nothing wrong with it; it’s nothing special – just an ordinary down to earth pub.