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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 15th March 2026) with trainman
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Ian Mapp
Submitted on Wednesday, 11th March 2026
With picture contributions to 1502 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (22 more images)
Detail Pages
Good Samaritan, Whitechapel, E1
E1
E1 2AE
Served areas
Reviews of Good Samaritan (Average Rating: 4½ of 10) see review guidelines
Ian Mapp left this review about Good Samaritan
My geocaching adventures brought me here to find what was they said was the date of the pub. 1666 doesnt look likely from the C20th style, but I got the correct answer.
Incredible smell of vinegar on entering. Maybe just one punter who soaked his meal.
Open plan pub - so after looking at the offerings on the bar (Doom Bar or Proper Job), I went as far from the diners as possible. I went for half a Proper Job. Then something that has never happened after 40 years of drinking in pubs.
We've all taken beer back because it is dreadful but have you ever taken beer back because it is the wrong beer!
My "proper job" was nutty brown and tasteless. All my spider senses told me it was Doom Bar. I went to the landlord who looked at me like I was mental and said I was wrong. Someone else, who had had a pint, got involved. It was even more obvious in a full glass that it wasnt PJ. Reluctantly he went to check and 10 mins later came back with his tail between his legs and said they wrong barrel had been attached.
Justice! But he wasn't very happy about the work I had caused him.
I couldnt wait to get home and tell Mrs M that I can tell the difference between beers.
Need to prove my mettle with Whisky next.
On 11th March 2026
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1772 recommendations about 1745 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Good Samaritan
The pub nestles in the shadow of the mighty Royal London Hospital and was originally built around 1785, shortly after its foundation. The current incarnation has been here since 1937, designed by Truman's in-house architect, A. E. Sewell.
Oddly, on entering, the doormat states that the pub was established in 1666 - errr...no it wasn't. This date can be seen to the eagle motif at the parapet, the Truman's logo with the date of 1666 relating to the year the brewery was founded, not the pub.
Inside, and not one element of Sewell's deft hand remains, apart from possibly the simple carved wood bar back with mirror; the bar itself would appear to be modern field panelled, decked out with a forest of shiny electrically illuminated chrome founts dispensing the likes of Strongbow, Guinness and Eurofizz, though surprisingly there was a choice of three real ales: Pride, Yardbird and Tribute at a reasonable £4.40 and surprisingly good too, served by a very friendly barmaid. The floor is modern herringbone laminate with a patterned bar apron. Furniture is modern traditional dark wood. The colour scheme comprises pale grey painted Anaglypta below the dado rail, then plain white walls up to the picture rail, thereafter more Anaglypta up to the white ceiling. Lighting here is very bright coming mainly from rather naff chandeliers and sconce lights, but also from two ugly flashing games machines, at least one TV showing sport and a flashing jukebox, playing The Nolan's I'm in the Mood for Dancing a little loudly for comfort. There's hardly any décor aside from a few gin bottles holding flowers to a couple of high shelves. Customers were rather studenty, probably medical students as the Royal London is a teaching hospital.
This is by no means a great pub, so a return visit is essentially off the cards.
On 29th October 2020
- rating: 3
[User has posted 2307 recommendations about 2251 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Good Samaritan
Quite an imposing corner pub, located one street back from the main road but right by the Royal London Hospital so probably gets a steady trade from staff and visitors. Opened-out out to leave a 'J'-shaped interior, with mostly modern furniture and decor (although the traditional bar-back on the shorter side catches the eye). Two pairs of handpumps, dispensing Doom Bar, Greene King IPA Pride and Tribute (£4.10) plus some standard keg offerings.
On 25th August 2018
- rating: 6
[User has posted 9063 recommendations about 9063 pubs]
View more reviews of Good Samaritan (4)
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- Official site of Good Samaritan - good-samaritans-pub.business.site
- Randomness Guide to London - Good Samaritan entry
- Facebook - Good Samaritan Pub
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Good Samaritan - whatpub.com
Shadwell, 0.57 miles, 10 min walk (show)
Shoreditch High Street, 0.95 miles, 18 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Car Park : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Function Room : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Hot Food : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Jukebox : Yes last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Live Music : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : Yes - Sky Sports/BT Sport. - last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Pool Table : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- Real Cider : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
- WiFi : No last updated 29 October 2020 by Tris C
