Molly Bloom's, E8

The Brewery Tap signage has all gone, and although this bar quite unimaginatively just has the word Bar on the exterior, in a couple of places I saw signs promising a warm welcome to, or advertising live music at, Molly Bloom’s. So I guess this place is called Molly Bloom’s now. Irrespective of what it’s called, it did have Timothy Taylor landlord on, at “only” £3 a pint. The Landlord was drinkable. There was no sign of food or menus when I was in on a Wednesday afternoon. This is a very basic bar. A few wooden benches around the sides plus some wooden tables and chairs comprise the furnishings. The only bit of decor was a Mile End Distillery mirror on one of the walls, and as small as this bar is it’s got TVs everywhere – I counted nine in all so you get to see a TV wherever you’re sitting. When I was in there were a couple of blokes playing the fruit machines; another couple sitting reading their papers; and another two or three at the bar chatting. All very reasonable things to be doing in a pub. The landlady was friendly enough and I was grateful that this bar was here (and open when so many in this general area don’t open until late afternoon) when I was waiting for a train from Dalston Junction. But it’s not one I’m likely to pay a return visit to.

This narrow Irish shop conversion is certainly not for the feint hearted as the guy behind the bar is mental, in a nice way, and the locals are not the sort to take any bull. The Pogues greatest hits were playing loudly off the jukebox and the usual card betting machine that doesn’t give out cash prizes was present alongside a fruit machine. There is a large flat screen TV at the front of the pub which was showing the US tennis open via Sky Sports and there is also a projector screen on the back wall, but this was rolled up during my visit. I thought that the Guinness was good and I was surprised to see two hand pumps that were both drawing London Pride. I did a quick scan down the bar and didn’t see anyone drinking it so I’m not sure about the quality. I’m not sure that I would recommend this place to others, maybe if a dartboard was added I would look on it more affectionately.