Leman Bar, Whitechapel, E1

Nice solid old exterior with a tiled and bare boarded interior that's smaller than I was expecting. 5 real taps but just 2 on during my visit.

Built in 1859 from voluntary donations, this grand building in Italianate style started out as the Eastern Dispensary before closing during World War II and temporarily being leased to the Jewish Hospitality Committee. Eventually, the building was given to the London Hospital before a radical change in 1996-7 saw the building remodelled as a pub. Today we find a smart, modern bar in suitably grand surroundings, but with just a hint of hotel bar about it, perhaps because of the stilted décor. You enter up a short flight of steps into a patterned tile floored space with the main bar to your left. Here you will find a bare boarded area with huge front windows masked by some rather bland looking boards. Bench and standard chair seating has been arranged throughout, with attempts at grandeur including chandeliers, a purple feature wall and a large mirror. The servery runs along the rear wall and has a plain counter and simple mirrored bar back. To the right of the entrance is a smaller space with plush seating , easily taken up in its entirety by a small party of colleagues on this visit. Spiral stairs to the left and a standard staircase to the right both led up to the balcony where additional seating can be found and from which customers can gaze down over the main bar area. Music was playing quietly on a Friday evening and the beleaguered bar staff were having to deal with some worse for wear customers on my arrival. There was only one ale left by the time I arrived - Harveys Sussex Best - with Dark Star Hophead and Vale VPA clips reversed. The Best was actually in very good shape and served to me by a very friendly barmaid, but I was a bit disappointed with the lack of choice. Keg drinkers could enjoy the likes of Adnams Blackshore Stout and Lagunitas IPA among more familiar options. I thought this was quite a nice place to be able to explore, but seemingly a bit devoid of warmth and character, although the bar staff did their best to remedy that with a warm welcome and good service. I suspect this place can be seen in a better light when not visited late on a Friday night, but I left feeling a little underwhelmed. Maybe a revisit is required.

The Dispensary is housed in a grand looking building,it it on the opposite corner to the Black Horse. Once inside there is an oblong shaped room with the bar facing,the room has a high ceiling,the seating is pew type which were all laid out for diners some with reserved signs on them,there was one table with two armchairs to the left which i sat at as this was not laid out for diners. There were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Harveys bitter which was not at its best,the other beers were Adnams Ghost Ship and Dark Star Maelstrom. The pub was empty on my pre dinnertime rush,decent background music was playing. Not really my sort of pub and the quality of the beer also let it down. Pub visited 1/7/2015

A fine old building, with the front entrance located up a short flight of steps. The interior of the high-ceilinged bar area has been refurbished with generally light decor and limited furniture, with a more traditional feel to the smaller side lounge. Also has a mezzanine and several picnic benches out on the pavement. Slightly surprised to find just three of the five handpumps in operation, with Harveys, Lighthouse and VPA (£3.70 less 30p Camra discount) on offer. Uncomfortably busy when I called in early in the evening; so, if I visit again, I'll try to remember to arrive at a slightly quieter time.

As has been said, it is a lovely building and a POTY winner previously. However, it does feel much more of a bar to me and is a little on the expensive side, but perhaps that is my roots creeping out. None the less, some lovely ale and a very fine burger is to be had here. Well done.