Hope & Anchor, E14

Tris C left this review about Hope & Anchor

This pub dates from the mid-19th century, but I suspect that it was rebuilt in the 1930s, once a Watney's house.
A first visit last night and this is a basic backstreet boozer, plain inside, with a hard floor and seemingly white interior, with a bar to the right-hand side, beyond, a dartboard. I was eyed with suspicion by an elderly punter by the door, before I tried to get served at the bar. It was then that I was approached by the manager who asked if I had a ticket, with no requirement of one mentioned by flyer or front-of-house on entering. It turned out that the live music enjoyed by a very enthusiastic older crowd was in fact The Tremeloes; I was offered the chance to buy a ticket at £20 – £10 less than an AC/DC tribute band in Halifax – but decided not to as unlike the customers, I was too young to remember the band; for the record, there was a cask ale in the form of St. Austell Cornish Best.
Yes, this is basic, but it clearly serves as a hub for the dwindling traditional locals and there was a good vibe about the place. The amateur ticketing policy was dealt with professionally and although I won’t be returning, I wish it well, feeling that a grade wouldn’t be fair as I was only in the place for under a minute; it’s certainly an improvement over the neighbouring Greenwich Pensioner and Manor Arms.

On 31^st August 2024 - no rating submitted
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