The Ship, E14

As mentioned below The Ship is a 1930’s one bar pub built for Watneys. I found it a decent one room pub with a comfortable interior. The original serving bar with its impressive lamps is on the left and then table seating to the right and end of the room. Some nice features including the interesting collection of local black and white photos on the far wall. However the flat screen tele wedged above these just looked a bit out of place and the pub would have benefited from this being turned off as no one was watching it anyway. There are two handpumps on the bar and there was one ale on for my visit in the shape of Hogs Back T.E.A. which was extremely lively and initially looked like end of barrel but due to the bar persons protestations that they only tapped it yesterday, perhaps it had been put on too early. I agree there is potential here to take this one above the average and I felt it could make a jolly good ale house. However you have to wonder if that would work in todays Isle of Dogs.

Heralding from the mid-19th century, I suspect that the current building dates from the 1930s, built for Watney’s. Recently spruced up, the interior features a confused half carpeted, half boarded floor, then dark green and white colour scheme, mixed eclectic furniture with décor in the form of photos of the area from yesteryear, then some nautical bits and bobs. What is of note are the two fine brass lamps to the bar and especially the unusual, illuminated bar parapet, which is original. Customers were undoubtedly local, on the younger side and some seeming a little studenty, all to a decent soundtrack – REM on arrival – with silent unobtrusive sport to a modest TV. With two unused pumps there’s sadly no cask, me opting for a half of Blue Moon with obligatory chunk of orange bobbing about in it, served by a friendly barmaid at a very wallet-unfriendly £3.50. This isn’t a half bad pub; with a little cash spent to sort out the floor, furniture and empanelling a decent cask selection, this could be a minor gem with the score upped to at least a ‘6’.

Official site of The Ship - www.theshipcanarywharf.co.uk

Official site of The Ship - www.theshipcanarywharf.co.uk

Newly reopened local, with a decent traditional interior featuring a mix of furniture and various decorative features. Side alley patio and rear beer garden. Now has two handpumps on the counter, offering Doom Bar and Landlord (£3.60). Not a hostile atmosphere, but the banter from the locals about a few people who came in after me didn't seem exactly welcoming. Disappointing.