The Pride of Spitalfields, E1

The Pride of Spitalfields is a classic, two room East-end boozer, just off Brick Lane. The entrance takes you into the main bar which is carpeted with banquette and low stool seating. At the end of the bar there is a servery called Mary's Pantry which seems to offer sandwiches as well some bits aimed at tourists such as Pride of Spitalfields T-shirts, although it appeared to be shut on my recent visit. The room has a nice brick fireplace and the obligatory upright piano and there are collections of pump clips and old bottles as well as plenty of photos depicting life on the nearby Grand Union Canal. A large projector screen was rolled up at the back of the room and there was a rather incongruous mirror ball on the ceiling, but sports coverage was confined to a small TV in the other room which was showing cricket, whilst thoughts of a disco were put to bed by the 60's music soundtrack on a skipping CD. The second room is quite small and provides some additional seating. There are five hand pumps on the bar, but only four were on offering Fuller's London Pride and ESB, Sharp's Doom Bar and Crouch Vale Brewer's Gold. My Brewer's Gold was in good shape and poured by a friendly barmaid who was very welcoming to regulars and strangers alike. It's a little odd to step out of such a traditional British pub like this and find yourself in the middle of Brick Lane, but perhaps that's part of its charm. Either way, this pub is well worth a look if you're in the area for a curry or otherwise.

Randomness Guide to London - Pride Of Spitalfields entry

Randomness Guide to London - Pride Of Spitalfields entry