The Tooke Arms, E14

This is one of those pubs that as you walk up to it you just know that it won’t have any real ale on. And I was right, with just John Smith’s and the standard lagers available. There was no sign of any food at Wednesday lunchtime. The pub itself is a square block and looks for all the world like a post-war estate pub, a view reinforced by the tower blocks looming over it. The shabby and uninspiring exterior is matched by the characterless interior. Actually, the carpet is in pretty good nick, but there’s no decor unless you count a Union Flag on one of the walls, and a Foster’s advert on another. Seating is plastic covered banquettes and wooden chairs, together with rectangular wooden tables. Other features are a red baize pool table and banks of coloured spotlights on the ceiling, indicating a dance or music related venue – in fact karaoke is advertised. There was some pop music radio station blaring out. But the service was friendly enough, and the handful of locals in there seemed content enough. So, although it’s not a pub that I’m likely to return to, I’m glad that it’s there for the locals to enjoy.