The White Hart, E1

A survivor in an area that has changed out of all recognition. Had a nice pint of Camden lager. Customers were a mixture of young students and locals. Friendly staff made this somewhere I would return again in future.

This is a former Taylor Walker pub, as evinced by the gold guncarriage atop the arched sign frame. It also dates from 1721 and given the appearance of the building – not to mention interior layout – I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this is a genuine three-hundred-year-old structure. As mentioned in previous reviews, this was until recently a traditional dark wood boozer, which presumably like so many other pubs, was subjected to a needless Lockdown hipster makeover. Sadly, there’s not really any evidence of history to the interior. It’s as narrow as it looks and goes back a fair way to a tiny fag patio, but the two-bar format has bar fronts of red wainscoting, with slightly industrial bar backs, then an overall grey colour scheme. There was ugly Six Nations bunting almost a month after the event finished, then little in the way of décor. There were at least two TVs showing the football which no-one was watching and an even uglier Clear Channel advertising board, with its rolling slideshow along with an ugly games machine. Lighting is a little gloomy, with illumination coming from wire caged filament sconces. Furniture is traditional, with some pews and customers seemed very studenty. I’m not sure if the holidays were on, but the place is close to London Met and also at the centre of the area’s entertainment scene. Ales amounted to two unused pumps, then the uninviting choice of Pride or Doom, me opting for a half of neck oil (£3.20) served by a young, vacant barmaid. Despite the unsympathetic makeover, this is probably one of the better options in the area.

Official site of The White Hart - www.thewhitehartlondon.co.uk

Official site of The White Hart - www.thewhitehartlondon.co.uk