The Forest Tavern, Forest Gate, E7

This is a good sized former Antic pub with a perfect location right next to the station. The pub has a spacious, single room set up, albeit with distinct areas situated either side of the centrally positioned servery. The room is bare boarded, with mix of exposed brick and plain painted walls plus some sections of former partitioning wall done in a darker shade. Tables with chairs and tub chairs can be found in the front space, under large windows with leaded upper panes and a ledge full of books, vases, pots and other bits, whilst high tables and stools fill the space directly opposite the bar. The servery has an uninteresting counter and unusual bar back comprising metal frame shelving where a traditional bar back would otherwise have been, but much of this has since been lost due to the knocking through of two formerly separate rooms. At least one quirky feature has been retained, with a set of windows above the bar set in a bare brick surround, providing an unusual point of difference. The room extends to the rear, down the left-hand side, with lots more seating in what feels like more of a dining space, with similar styling and some plush banquettes around the perimeter. I spotted several TV screens around the room, but they were all switched off so that everyone could focus on a clearly very popular pub quiz. On the bar, just the two cask ales - Portobello Star and Five Points XPA - although these were supplimented by a pretty solid keg range representative of those seen in other Portobello pubs. The bar staff seemed friendly enough, the XPA was in good nick and the place was heaving on a late midweek evening thanks to the aforementioned quiz. This is a nicely presented, modern pub which looks like it's popular with a good cross section of the community. I found it a pleasant place to settle down for a quiet pint, even with the hubbub of the ongoing quiz, and enjoyed the well-kept ale. With its ideal location alongside the station, this is a good option for anyone passing through the area. Date of visit - 1st October 2024

Something of a 'hipster' pub in a much messed-about-with building, with various exposed brickwork, girders replacing beams and various musical instruments and other bric-a-brac strewn around the walls. One large room at the front and a similar-sized restaurant area to the rear, with a few tables on the pavement outside. However there were a couple of good local ales on offer, in nice condition (Cask Marque) and the food was not unreasonably priced and quite good. I would quite happily return, and it is very handy for the station opposite which will shortly benefit from the Elizabeth Line..

Real ales on here were Burning Sky Plateau ((£3.90), Volden Session Ale (£3.40) and Pale (£3.90), and Five Points Railway Porter (£3.90), plus Harry’s Scrummage Cider on handpump. There was no sign of any menus when I was in at early doors (4.00PM) on Wednesday, but judging by the cutlery and condiments on the tables they must do food sometimes. Inside it’s typically Antic. Obviously things have been ripped off the walls revealing bare brickwork, and of course furnishings are cheap and recycled mismatched tables and chairs. They have left a bit of wood panelling on the walls, where there are walking sticks and golf clubs as decorative features. They have also introduced some steel pillars and girders, presumably as a nod to structural integrity as they surely cannot be for decoration. As in other Antic pubs, they have an old piano and a table football lurking in one of the corners. At the back, around to the left of the servery, is another very learge room that seemed to be more for dining than the front room. Antic pubs are fine if you’re not looking for uber luxury and class; possibly not the place to take a lady on a first date. Mind you, I took my wife to see Crystal Palace lose to Wolves at Selhurst Park in the old first division on our first date and that seems to have worked for me! I would visit this one again if it wasn’t such a pain to get to.

Quite a bare stripped out interior serving 6 real ales "craft keg"and food.