The Salmon & Ball, Bethnal Green, E2

Not a bad-looking corner pub, with green paintwork and hanging baskets on the two facades. The staple-shaped bar has plain furniture and the usual decor seems to be mostly mirrors and sports TV screens, although it was decorated (in a not too over-the-top way) for Christmas when I stopped by. Fairly busy too, with Jimmy Hendrix blasting out from the sound system, but plenty of good-natured chat too. No real ale sadly, so it was either John Smith's (£3.20) or either bottled Abbot or Old Speckled Hen from the fridge. All-in-all, a mixed bag.

Enticed by the signage that said free house I found a keg only range of beers.What a shocker of a pub.Dj was blasting the music out and 3 tv screens were showing what appeared to be Irish football.Still it was busy enough so has a certain appeal.

Enticed by the signage that claimed it did traditional ales, I was disappointed not to see any handpumps on the bar counter. I suppose there might have been a shiny new GKIPA pump hiding furtively among the array of lager fonts, but as the “music” was ear-splittingly loud I didn’t stay long enough to find out.