Hare & Hounds, Leyton, E10

This pub dates back to at least the late 19th century though possibly rebuilt and once a Truman’s mouse. I imagine that what I encountered matches that of Aqualung’s experience as the place was last done up in 2018: there’s a modern pale floor, bare brick or planked walls, oxblood studded banquettes to the periphery – weirdly, the same studded oxblood upholstery applied to sections of the beige Anaglypta ceiling – conventional furniture, table football, unobtrusive televised football, ancient PYE TV and a tinny REM offering over the stereo. Customers were mixed age locals, generally professional types from what on 2nd October 2024 was described by Time Out as one of the world’s coolest areas. The place is now caskless, with ten taps dispensing mainly mainstream fayre, then Gravity Cosmic Dust, Siren Session IPA and Signature Backstage IPA at £3.30 a half and drinkable in moderation. Despite being a bit chintzy, this place is tolerable and would be more so with a decent cask selection, but it’s a pain to reach and there’s the William the Fourth and better still, the more convenient Coach & Horses, even more convenient for the tube is the Leyton Engineer. Rated 3.5.

Facebook page of Hare & Hounds - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Hare & Hounds - www.facebook.com

Official site of Hare & Hounds - www.hareandhounds-e10.co.uk

Official site of Hare & Hounds - www.hareandhounds-e10.co.uk

This is now managed by the same people that run the E17 Dukes Head and Dog & Duck. It was originally a Charrington pub but is now part of the ludicrous Ei Group (ee-aw would be more appropriate). It's so long since I'd been here I couldn't remember much about it. Needless to say it has a wooden floor with a central bar and a conservatory to the right. There was a further bar area down the left that was closed off. I assumed this is used for live music nights. There was music playing at a fairly loud volume. There are five hand pumps on the bar which had two of those kiddie strength Seasider ciders, Doom Bore, Harvey's Best and Signature Brew White Keys. I went for the White Keys (£4.50) which was cloudy and shocking pink so I assumed it was a fruit flavoured wheat beer. This was always one of the better Leyton pubs and isn't bad. I was more alarmed by the price of the beer than the appearance so wouldn't return.