The Crown, Limehouse, E14

This is an at least mid-19th century pub, one of the few traditional East End boozers around. Of note is the extremely rare Allied ‘hand in tun’ logo to the pub sign, the ‘hand’ motif recently reclaimed by Allsopp’s (see June 2009 photo). The small interior would appear not to have had anything significant done to it since at least the 1950s and no bad thing. There’s a carpeted floor with grey lino bar apron, small, raised area with a Joanna, an interesting wood veneer application to the dado then in matching cells to the ceiling, some etched glass to an unused entrance vestibule, red velour banquettes with matching circular stools surrounding traditional tables, white walls with some granny prints then tulip sconces; the bar front, back and pot shelf seem to be of some vintage. Aside from a games machine, there was a dartboard, much enjoyed by an older local crowd, then silent, unwatched pre-recorded equestrian shenanigans, all to a very decent soundtrack. One oddity that stood out was a sign to the bar which read that due to COVID restrictions, only regulars would be served, though overall there was a good atmosphere at the time of my Wednesday mid-evening visit. There is cask – if you can call it that – in the form of GK I Pee A, £2.20 a half, served by a professional old-school landlady, probably in situ since the pub last had a makeover. As Moby writes, this is a valuable community pub, catering for an ever-shrinking community; visit whilst you can.

Very much an old school locals boozer,a single room bar with horse racing on TV and the landlord and couple of blokes sat at the bar following the race intently and loudly.A solo handpump offered Greene King IPA, I decided on a Guinness.One for the locals but a valuable community pub.

Proper, old-fashioned (in a good way) corner boozer with an inconspicuous façade - and a sign that dates from the Ind Coope days (however long ago that was) - and difficult to spot from any distance. Simple furniture and limited decor inside, but plenty of good-natured banter. A couple of surprises: Wimbledon rather than racing on the TV, and a real ale on from one of two handpumps (albeit Greene King IPA, £3.10).