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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat on the Pub Forum

Duke of Wellington, Spitalfields, E1

12 Toynbee Street
E1
E1 7NE

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Strongers . left this review about Duke of Wellington

The Duke of Wellington has a central serving counter that faces a long beer shelf under the front windows and standard tables to the right. Some additional high tables and chairs can be found in the right rear and standard seating in the left rear. This is a dimly lit pub that was busy with a younger local office crowd which made it feel more like a bar during a recent late afternoon midweek visit before Christmas. The counter is lined with premium and craft keg, but there was no real ale available. I went for half a Stella (£3.50) that was served by a polite young barmaid. There was a bit of background music from the likes of Elton John, but it was hardly audible over the chatter in this busy pub. It must get rammed in here on a Thursday and Friday, although I think I’d probably have preferred this place before the transition from old school boozer to trendy pub.

On 2nd January 2025 - rating: 5
[User has posted 5965 recommendations about 5931 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Tris C left this review about Duke of Wellington

This pub dates back to at least 1851 and a first in here for me. From the out, the reviews below no longer apply as this is now a very trendy hipster pub close to Spitalfields and the Ten Bells, probably the most famous pub on the Jack the Ripper trail. Death could still loom large as the pub had absolutely no Track and Trace whatsoever and somewhat puzzlingly, I was asked to wear a mask as I was led across the floor to a table where I sat four feet from a group of strangers.
Walls' manifestations are a mix of pale grey, smoky blue (yawn) and some bare brick to the rear with an ugly red neon sign. The floor is bare boarded and very rough, there's a bar with matchboard front which may be original, above which hang around five lamps with copper shades. Thereafter, lighting comes from wall mounted lamps. Furniture is fairly conventional and décor comes in the form of a few eclectic prints to the walls and potted palms to the window sills. The crowd here is young and trendy with some being rather mouthy, made all the worse due to the pub's poor acoustics. My discomfort was amplified by the temperature; despite being warmly dressed, I was rather cold due to the doors being open and the slightly inclement weather - a taste of things to come.
Staff seemed a little rushed and English wasn't their strong point, made all the worse for wearing masks.
Ales: there was a chrome battery of three 12-fount dispensers for craft stuff and two pumps dispensing Gloom Bore and Landlord at a wincing £5.50 a pint, a total [Jack the] rip-off, though at least it was in good nick.
This place isn't for me so I'll not be back.

On 25th September 2020 - rating: 3
[User has posted 2208 recommendations about 2165 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Duke of Wellington

Old-school side-street boozer near Petticoat Lane market. Retains two rooms: the main bar and a smaller corner room with a dartboard. Very traditionally, if plainly, furnished and decorated. Three handpumps on the main counter, offering Adnams Southwold and Twickenham Grandstand (£3.70) plus a cider.

On 15th April 2017 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Rex Rattus left this review about Duke Of Wellington

I had some London Pride here – it was OK and at £2.60 a pint pretty reasonably priced. There was large plasma screen TV on showing Sky Sports, but it was muted. There were two dartboards being used in the main bar when I was in at Wednesday lunchtime – by what was apparently a group of office workers enjoying a long lunch. I very much doubt whether this pub gets much passing trade tucked away, as it is, on a side street off Commercial Road, but is a pretty decent backstreet pub.

On 24th February 2009 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Steve of N21 left this review about Duke Of Wellington

Victorian green tiled corner pub just behind Spitalfields market and close to the Commercial road. Can be a bit of a culture shock after the high décor of the Bishopgate pubs as The Duke of Wellington is a basic back street boozer in need of a bit of TLC.
There are two bar areas one main one with a big flat screen tele and a smaller one to the side. Both are equipped with dart boards and the only people in last night seemed to be involved in a couple of darts league games.
In saying that the IPA and London Pride were perfectly fine.

On 23rd January 2009 - rating: 5
[User has posted 2236 recommendations about 2098 pubs]