The Gun, Homerton, E9

This is a small, corner pub dating from the mid-19th century visited for the first time the other night as part of a local three-hole mini-crawl, attracted primarily by the fine Whitbread carved wood gilded fascia and, as I was to find out, a rather good illuminated Whitbread and Mackeson bar parapet, probably dating from the 1950s (see photo). The pub is no longer tatty, so perhaps has had a lockdown spruce up. It’s quite a small narrow room, plainly appointed indeed. Lighting here is clearly being rationed, as there isn’t much of it, most coming from a rather naff red neon sign to the rear, reading ‘Secret Plans and Clever Tricks’ which means nothing to me. The floor is modern bare boarded and due to the lack of light, I couldn’t determine the colour of the leatherette to the peripheral banquette. Otherwise, there were some ordinary contemporary tables (with tea lights in red glass holders) and low chairs with high stools, the modern bar which has a front upholstered in soft panel sections, presumably to prevent damaged knees; above is the period illuminated bar parapet. The walls are white with a textured white ceiling, supporting three glass lights which may also date from the ‘50s. There’s no décor apart from the neon sign. Music played, but at such a low level that it sounded tinny, like it was coming from a can attached to a piece of string. I knew in advance that there’s no real ale here, but I was expecting something a bit more crafty from the two chrome founts each dispensing five ales, Guinness and a cider, but due to the lack of light and a few of the taps’ fisheye bulbs having blown, I couldn’t tell what they were. Otherwise, Thornbridge Green Mountain, Keller Pils, a Gun-branded something (provenance unknown) and Camden Hells which set me back £5.80 which tasted like Camden Hells lager. I didn’t really take to this place. The ambience is poor, it doesn’t really fulfil the ‘craft’ definition and the Kenton is across the road, which may one day resume real ale sales.

An ex Whitbread pub that now has a new direction in life as a craft bar,a single somewhat tatty room still had the feel of a pub with some low height tables and stools as well as some leather banquette seating.I don't recall any evidence of any cask beer, just 10 keg taps and indeed I ended up with a Camden Hells. I did quite like the feel of the pub and would have another look if nearby.

Official site of The Gun - www.thegunwellstreet.com

Official site of The Gun - www.thegunwellstreet.com

The Gun is a very small corner pub that i was pleased to see open after walking in the rain and finding the Albion closed. Once inside there is a small single oblong shaped room which runs to the rear,the bar is to the front left,there is comfy bench seating around the edge of the room which is bare boarded,a TV was showing BT football updates. There was a nice looking Whitbread and Mackeson sign behind the bar which was lite up. There were two real ales on the bar plus some keg craft beers i had a drink of Burning Sky Pale Ale which was a very nice drink,the other beer was Burning Sky Plateau. Funky type background music was playing,there was a few other drinker in on my Saturday afternoon visit. I was quite happy having a drink in this pub. Pub visited 4/10/2014