Captain Kidd, Wapping, E1

A warehouse that has been converted into a pub by Sam Smiths,but like so much of their estate in London it has been furnished in a rather dull traditional style with little of interest.There is a large bar to the right,some tables by windows with views over the Thames and then a courtyard running up to the riverside.However the view is limited by a trip boat mooring wharf and the River Police HQ. The more attractive area is the first floor restaurant,which also has a serving bar,and pub grub style food menu but not overly expensive. Only one handpump offering Old Brewery Bitter (in better condition than many of their tied estate) and the usual SS keg options.Compared with the Prospect of Whitby ,this pub pales into insignificance and I can see no good reason to return.

Dating from 1989, this is a modern Sam Smith's conversion that attracts a mixed crowd. Ably described below, with all the fake beams, bare brick and flagstone floor. Old Brewery on cask for once and better than my pint of Fuller's London Pride at The Town of Ramsgate up the road. A bit fake Olde Worlde for me and the dog roaming around didn't appeal. I can't see myself returning given The Town of Ramsgate up the road.

When approaching from the road along Wapping High Street you could be forgiven for thinking this is another old historic riverside inn dating back many years like the Town of Ramsgate further up the High road. But the modern clean interior you walk into is due to this being a new build pub from the 80’s (that’s 1980’s not 1680’s) when Sam Smiths converted an old riverside warehouse. It’s a massive internal space on two levels (restaurant upstairs) and although Sam Smiths have done their best to give it a bit of character, largely utilising the original grey stone floors, pale brickwork and soft timbers, it is still largely false and formulaic. But its USP is its location, which affords excellent views of the river from all rooms and the splendid outside riverside terrace. The drinks choice is poor as it is restricted to whatever the Sam Smiths stable thrust upon us, but at least the Old Brewery Bitter is now available on hand pump from two pumps on the bar amongst all the rest of the keg taps and still reasonable for a Thames side location at just under £3 a pint. A note of caution in that there is usually drinks menus with prices on each table and its worth looking at this before deciding to try one of the bottled SS brews as some of these are well the wrong side of £3. It’s a bit of a tourist trap but I still pop in when walking this part of the Thames.