Sir Sydney Smith, Whitechapel, E1

Pretty average pub in pretty average area! Barmaid was a bit bored but its early and quiet, beer quality ok

This is a nice, cosy little pub, easily reached by a 10 minute or so walk from Shadwell station. You enter into a very smart front bar area with good, solid floorboards, walls boasting some nice exposed brickwork, plus one that has been painted in a warm shade, and some leaded glasswork to the front. Fixed bench seating runs down the right-hand side whilst high tables and stools fill the space to the left, along with an upturned barrel for vertical drinkers to rest their glassses on. A lit gas fireplace stands to the right, underneath a smart, dark wood mantlepiece, providing some much needed warmth on a cold Winter evening. The servery is to the rear, and has a slightly curved, modern counter and a fairy light strewn, high shelved, mirrored bar back. The room extends to the rear, past the left side of the bar, and more fixed benches can be found back here, along the left-hand wall. To the rear, there's a small stage in the far corner, next to a sensibly positioned dartboard. The room has been decorated with some nice old brewery mirrors, a large plain mirror or two, good black and white photos of the pub and surrounding area, and a large map, seemingly of this part of London. A TV screen above the bar was turned off, with music in the background barely audible above a busy post work, pre-Christmas crowd. One bloke at the table next to me, was eating a delicious smelling pizza but it was unclear if this was from an in-house kitchen or had been ordered in from elsewhere. Three operational handpulls offered a choice of By The Horns Stiff Upper Lip (£4.90 a pint), Greene King Rocking Rudolph and Ruddles Best. The bar staff were pretty friendly and poured me a good pint of the Stiff Upper Lip, which I think I would've enjoyed more if I'd been able to find a seat, having to drink it somewhat rushed from a standing spot I found in one corner of the room. I thought this was a good little pub with some well-kept ale, cheery service and a nice, relaxed post-work atmosphere. It's a pleasant environment to have a drink in and whilst the ale range isn't going to blow anyone's mind, it still seems like a very good bet if you happen to find yourself in this part of the city.

Greene King pub that happens to serve more non-GK beers than their own. Ruddles Best was their beer. Guests were Redemption Pale Ale & By The Horns Stiff Upper Lip. There is apparently a 50p CAMRA discount, which I didn't ask for, wasn't offered and wasn't advertised. The interior has a front and a rear room. Neither are particular large. There was a good mix of drinkers and diners in both rooms. Pizzas were an impressive size. Certainly a better than average pub for this part of London.

Named after Admiral Sidney Smith, the pub dates from the early 19th century, but was rebuilt in the 1930s by A. E. Sewell for Truman’s; much of their signage is still visible, but when the pub’s name was twinned with that of Australia’s largest city is unknown. The previous reviews still hold: it’s a moderate size, with a modern boarded floor and much bare brick, thereafter grey paint to walls and ceiling. There’s an illuminated dartboard to the rear and décor comprises many brewery mirrors of old, along with framed black and white prints of the area from yesteryear, lighting comes from fairly modern hanging fixtures, music was moderate and furniture was mixed height and traditional with some peripheral pews. There was a good atmosphere, provided by a mixed crowd of old-school locals and younger incomers, marred slightly by the barking basset hound. The ale front amounted to one unused pump, then GK London Glory and Ruddles Best at £2.40 a half and drinkable, served by a friendly barmaid. This is one of the better pubs in the area, worthy of inclusion on a crawl, but not worth a special visit in its own right; better ale would get the score up.

One main room with the bar to the back. Three hand pumps, one reversed, others weak. Rest keg rubbish.

Recently reverted to an earlier name from the Pepper Pot, the staggered bar and side room layout has been stripped out and subject to an alehouse-type interior makeover (albeit with a surprisingly limited amount of furniture). However, there are also a couple of wooden benches out front. Kitchen 'opening soon'. Two real ales on handpump: Morland Original and the 'house' ale (£3.90), with a third disused. Also has three 'craft lagers' dispensed from fake casks on the bar-back - Belhaven Inter-Galactic, Greene King Noble and Wildman Wolfpack - in addition to a few usual suspects on a shiny 'T'-fount.

Official site of Sir Sydney Smith - www.sirsydneysmith.co.uk

Official site of Sir Sydney Smith - www.sirsydneysmith.co.uk