The Leyton Star, E15

Visited 17/11/25. Visited previously 04/12/23. Cask was Doom Bar, the solitary operational hand pump from a field of three. Keg was Guinness, Camden Pale Ale, Becks, Two Tribes Dream Pale Ale, Umbrella Apple Cider, Camden Hells, San Miguel, Camden IPA, Lucky Saint, Drop Project Shifty Pale Ale, Roadie and Existence as a Radical Act hazy pale from Queer Brewing. U shaped venue with the left-hand side of the U truncated. Bar counter follows the shape of the interior with tall stool seating at the counter. Banquettes around the perimeter in the front part of the venue plus regular tables and chairs in a carpeted arena, with then regular tables and chairs in the rear part of the longer side of the U shape. That part was dominated by an enthusiastic group of post work footy players enjoying their hard-fought pints on a Siberian weather evening (ok it was a bit chilly). There was a beer garden, apparently, at the rear but I didn't venture out to explore. As with previous visit here, felt a bit disappointed by this venue, feels like with a much better beer offering it could be quite decent.

A single large room, hockey stick shaped, several TV screens were showing the Leyton Orient home game taking place just up the road, at this point I realised my school boy error and soon the early kick off finished and the pub very quickly got mobbed. Before the human tsunami took place I had time to note three handpumps with a couple of Trumans beers, Runner and Swift along with Three Sods Trade Union, I however opted for a keg Beavertown Gamma Ray, downed it and made good my escape. The pub was OK but nothing to shout about.

Another in the expanding Star empire in these reaches of East London and is a bit of an anomaly in these lower reaches of Leyton High Road with its numerous fast food outlets. A rough, L-shape internally, it's high-ceilinged with a green and black colour scheme in the main bar area at front (the bar is snorkel-shaped) along with small screen curtains blocking out the stares of passers-by. The area to the rear is darker in hue with what appeared to be cork panelling on the walls and was all tables and chairs, compared to the banquette seating in the bar area. Siren Yulu, Siren Sound Wave IPA and Truman's Treason on the three stumps with various other crafty bits available on keg and some interesting cans in the fridge. Food of the burger / wings / dogs variety and there are a few screens which come on if there's a game on. There's also a decent patio area out back. All in all, a great appropriation of a pub that was losing its way, so fair play to Star for the effort - and it was busy on my Wednesday night visit to boot.

The former King Harold has re-opened as The Leyton Star.

Official site of The Leyton Star - www.leytonstar.co.uk

Official site of The Leyton Star - www.leytonstar.co.uk