Love Shack, Cambridge Heath, E2

For all the great pubs this website has helped me uncover, there’s always an absolute clunker lying in wait to catch me out, as was the case when I found myself with half an hour to spare and saw the listing for this place. What I hadn’t reckoned upon, was that this isn’t actually a bar - it’s very much a vegan restaurant first and foremost, set in two railway arches next to Cambridge Heath Station. The premises is fronted by a small lean-to style space, with a greeters counter and sofa seating at either end, which in turn fronts a small garden area screened off from the busy main road by bamboo panels. The left-hand arch is bare boarded and has exposed brickwork walls and a nice vaulted ceiling. Tables and chairs have been arranged in three rows, ideal for dining, with the kitchen to the rear hidden by ugly sack cloths draped over the pass. An upright piano stands to the front and some contemporary art has been put on display to add some visual distraction. An opening to the right takes you through to the second arch with similar seating plus some comfier options, in an eclectically decorated space with parasols and lanterns hung from above and a large shelving unit to rear filled with books, ornaments, old sewing machines and other such items. There is also a seemingly drinkless bar here, with a red mosaic tile front and cluttered bar back. Drinks instead seemed to come from doors to left, which lead through to who knows where, but plenty of people were coming and going. Beer is a choice between Brooklyn Lager (£4.50 for a schooner) or San Miguel on draught, plus a few craft beers in cans. I tried the Brooklyn lager, which was grossly over carbonated and not particularly enjoyable. A nice soul soundtrack played in the background and the staff were all friendly enough but that didn’t stop me feeling like a right prat sipping my lager in between a load of couples having a romantic meal. I’m not big on vegan cuisine, but the food I saw here looked pretty good, so I wouldn’t want to put anyone off who was looking for a bite to eat, but I cannot stress enough that this really isn’t somewhere you want to come for a quick drink, despite the fact that they had no problem accommodating this, frankly bizarre, request.

Official site of Love Shack - www.loveshackldn.com

Official site of Love Shack - www.loveshackldn.com