The Oliver Conquest, Whitechapel, E1

This place dates from the early 19th century, originally the Garrick Tavern, attached to the Garrick Theatre before it relocated to Covent Garden; the current name dates from 2010, previously being Mr Pickwick’s. The interior is rather traditional and really quite nice, with threequarters height dark wood panelling and casement windows. Paint above the panelling is dark green, though there’s a modern white ceiling with recessed downlighters above a very distressed black lino floor; otherwise, there are modern fluted glass shaded lamps. Customers were a bit odd, all brandishing wheelie suitcases. Furniture was mixed but inoffensive. Sadly, there were two unused pumps, me having to opt for a half or Meantime London Lager at £2.75. This is certainly one of the better local establishments, some decent real ale would get the score up, but I wouldn’t have stayed beyond a half of the above. The pub would also do itself a favour by having a website which is more than just a homepage with no information.

Official site of The Oliver Conquest - oliverconquestaldgate.co.uk

Official site of The Oliver Conquest - oliverconquestaldgate.co.uk

Just timothy Taylor Landlord on in here (£2.40! a half), with a second handpump apparently unused. Food was available, with a chicken/bacon/cheeseburger at £7.95, and a cheddar cheese sandwich, with salad and chutney, rocking up at £4.25. These are good prices, and it’s a shame that they’re not mirrored by the ale prices. This is a small, single-room pub. It’s furnished with a handful of tables and one or two armchairs and some normal chairs. There are bottles on shelves providing some décor, plus some miniature prints on the walls as well some nice wood panelling. There are a couple of seats outside at the front. This is quite a nice little pub in a chintzy quaint way. It’s just a shame about the price of real ale in here.

The Oliver Conquest is set in a terrace and just down from the Black Horse. Once inside there is a small irregular shaped room with an L shaped bar to the rear,the room is bare boarded,the seating normal tables and chairs and two leather settees. There was one real ale on the bar which was Taylor Landlord,this was a decent enough drink but a bit expensive at £2.40 for a half. The pub has lots of different Gins behind the bar. Pub visited 1/7/2015