The Albert, Bow, E3

Visited 13/08/25. Visited previously on 06/09/23. No cask. Keg offering of original and dark fruits SB, Guinness, John Smiths, Moretti, Fosters, Cruz, Amstel and Carlsberg. Traditional corner location pub on the Roman Road. Essentially a square carpeted location with the bar counter on the left-hand side making the seating area an L shape. Carpeted with a wooden skirt around the bar counter with some tall stool seating on the wooden skirt. A banquette to the left of the entrance serving regular tables with regular chairs the other side thereof. Otherwise, regular tables and chairs around the remainder of the perimeter. Quite a few TV screens showing recorded footy action and a poppy soundtrack, not that it was needed as the punter interaction in the venue provided a v lively atmosphere. No prizes for the basic beer offering a slice of the life of locals enjoying a drink and a pub-based night out around here.

Official site of The Albert - albert-bow.craftunionpubs.com

Official site of The Albert - albert-bow.craftunionpubs.com

There's still no real ale here, and no sign of any food when I dropped at Wednesday lunchtime. This is a simple bare-boarded pub. There's a bit of exposed brickwork about the place, and had a bit of the feel of an Irish pub about it, although there's no Gaelic or other pseudo Irish paraphernalia that I saw. Seating is mainly banquettes with normal tables, and I did see a large barrel doing duty as a tall table with its attendant tall stools. There are shelves above the bar counter and at the tops of the walls bearing jugs and the like. There was a TV on showing the racing, and this seemed to be the focus of interest in the pub. This pubs OK without being anything special. A real ale would be a dramatic improvement. Although it was comfortable and friendly enough, I doubt whether I'll visit again.