The Lion & Key, Leyton, E10

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Tris C left this review about The Lion & Key

With this very old name influenced by the Stratford Langthorne Abbey, rumour has it that this pub dates all the way back to 1300, with a mention in 1579, so it’s at least late Tudor, the current structure dating from 1889, no brewers’ Tudor in evidence, with an ugly hotel bolted onto the rear and top, a small car park behind.
The photos from 2007 and 10 show a rather alarming building but it’s clear that some money has been spent on the conversion. The interior is modern boarded – gris perla marble to the bar area – paint is mainly white to plain walls with some dark grey punctuations. Lighting comprises a recessed photobolic strip around part of the upper area, then light fittings with mashrabiya-like shades, a theme repeated to some divider screens. Furniture takes the form of dark grey velour peripheral banquettes then modern restaurant-style furniture. There’s an open kitchen hatch from which a takeaway service furnishes customers with smelly fast food; in all, the affair resembles a posh kebab shop, with absolutely no cues as to the pub’s heritage, with music coming courtesy of a television sound system linked to Hits Radio 1. Customers were very few for a Saturday night at just gone 9.00pm but were mixed, with some slightly rough trade, a tramp and a woman in of all things, a dressing gown, so probably a hotel guest.
There’s no cask, just chrome founts for Moretti, Fosters and Guinness, £3.30 a half.
This is a bit depressing; why would anyone come here with the Coach & Horses just down the road?

On 5^th October 2024 - rating: 3
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