The George, E14

Update – June 2011 4 beers on – London Pride, Youngs Ordinary, TT Landlord and Deuchars IPA. The TT Landlord was in good form - £ 3.40p This pub is the complete antithesis of all the bars on the Wharf ( Canary Wharf that is ) – it’s comfortable, efficiently run and characterful and staffed by people who speak English. It’s only a few stops away on the DLR from Canary Wharf in the direction of Lewisham. Worth seeking out ( July 2009 review ) Large 2 bar street corner pub virtually opposite Crossharbour Station ( DLR ) on the Isle of Dogs. On leaving the station last Saturday lunchtime and crossing the road to the pub, I was initially somewhat put off to see 2 St George's England flags flying prominently from the rooftop and wondered for an instant if I would be entering some Millwall or West Ham supporters BNP stronghold. My fears quickly proved unfounded - this is a comfortable, unspoilt, welcoming pub. It advertises itself as dating back to 1864, although the current wood-panelled interior, including a lapped wooden bar front, probably dates back to the 1920's or 1930's. It's a former Watney Combe Reid pub, as evidenced by the trademark round green pub sign incorporating the stag logo. The pub is listed in CAMRA's Regional Inventory. The public bar is on the corner of the road intersection and contains a dartboard, TV etc. It is comfortably furnished throughout. There's some interesting old photos of the area, including the pub itself. At one end of this bar is a curious mini snug - called Ma Baker's snug - which looks as though it might have been originally used for off sales. In this small snug on the walls are some framed newspaper pages from WW2 in 1945. Next to this mini snug, but with a separate entrance, is the saloon bar. This is also comfortable and traditionally furnished. There's a conservatory here, which acts as a restaurant, and a small garden outside. Flowers, both here and in the hanging baskets outside, create a riot of colour, and it is clear that a real effort is being made to create a warm and welcoming environment. Proper pub food is served. On the real ale front, the pub proudly displays Cask Marque accreditation, but, on my visit, neither the TT Landlord nor the London Pride were particularly brilliant. Other beers on were Youngs, Deuchars IPA and Tribute. I wonder if 5 is too many. On the other side of the road opposite the pub is an interesting information board, telling us that stevedores used to gather here for the daily call to work in the docks. The George used to be open from 6 am to serve them coffee and rum. I quite liked this pub and I'd definitely come again soon.

Randomness Guide to London - George entry

Randomness Guide to London - George entry

They had Deuchars IPA, Pride, Young's Bitter, and Timothy Taylor Landlord on. The Landlord was pretty good, and so it should be at £3.10 a pint. This is a large corner pub dominating its immediate vicinity. The interior is impressive with wood panelling throughout, which to me gives it a very warm feel. It still has separate bars, including what might best be described as a snug. It looks as if it has remained essentially unchanged since it was rebuilt between the wars. The service was OK, and the sandwiches were good. This is a good, friendly pub, and definitely worth a visit.

There are three bar areas in this pub. The public bar is a bit bare. The middle bar is small, but the saloon bar is very nice. Has a real fire, but no real ale.