The Stratford, Stratford City, E20

Set beneath a modern hotel development next to Stratford International, this vast concrete space makes full use of its industrial architecture. Towering windows on two sides flood the room with light, while a double-height ceiling looms overhead. To the right is a more formal restaurant, and to the left, an informal bar area broken up by a central dividing wall. Comfy armchairs, sofa benches and bar stools fill the space, decorated here and there with potted plants, statement light fittings and sculptural ornaments. The bar counter is stone-fronted and minimalist, mirrored by a second in the restaurant side with open views into the kitchen. The vibe was relaxed, with ambient music and a surprising number of people using the space for informal meetups or solo work. A florist’s stall stood quietly in one corner. The heated terrace out front looked inviting and offered a rare bit of greenery (albeit potted) in a very urban setting. A showy hanging sculpture above the main bar recalled a Calder mobile and gave a bit of flair to an otherwise generic modern bar space. There’s no cask ale here, and Meantime IPA was about the best of a fairly mundane keg line-up, backed by a few interesting bottled options. Prices weren’t as outrageous as you might expect, and service was efficient, though clearly geared toward diners in the main. I quite liked some of the really out there styling that has gone into this place, but as a fan of the traditional pub, this is a pretty depressing place to head to for a drink. I think it’ll appeal to young professionals, ladies who lunch, lost tourists and wannabe chancers, but you only have to pop through the nearby doors to Westfield shopping centre, to find Tap East, which is a great example of a modern bar catering for pub goers. Date of visit: 5th April 2025

The full name should read: Hotel Brasserie Bar @ The Stratford.

Official site of The Stratford - www.thestratford.com

Official site of The Stratford - www.thestratford.com