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Sir Sydney Smith, Whitechapel, E1
E1
E1 8JP
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Danny O'Revey left this review about Sir Sydney Smith
Pretty average pub in pretty average area! Barmaid was a bit bored but its early and quiet, beer quality ok
On 18th March 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Pub SignMan left this review about Sir Sydney Smith
This is a nice, cosy little pub, easily reached by a 10 minute or so walk from Shadwell station. You enter into a very smart front bar area with good, solid floorboards, walls boasting some nice exposed brickwork, plus one that has been painted in a warm shade, and some leaded glasswork to the front. Fixed bench seating runs down the right-hand side whilst high tables and stools fill the space to the left, along with an upturned barrel for vertical drinkers to rest their glassses on. A lit gas fireplace stands to the right, underneath a smart, dark wood mantlepiece, providing some much needed warmth on a cold Winter evening. The servery is to the rear, and has a slightly curved, modern counter and a fairy light strewn, high shelved, mirrored bar back. The room extends to the rear, past the left side of the bar, and more fixed benches can be found back here, along the left-hand wall. To the rear, there's a small stage in the far corner, next to a sensibly positioned dartboard. The room has been decorated with some nice old brewery mirrors, a large plain mirror or two, good black and white photos of the pub and surrounding area, and a large map, seemingly of this part of London. A TV screen above the bar was turned off, with music in the background barely audible above a busy post work, pre-Christmas crowd. One bloke at the table next to me, was eating a delicious smelling pizza but it was unclear if this was from an in-house kitchen or had been ordered in from elsewhere.
Three operational handpulls offered a choice of By The Horns Stiff Upper Lip (£4.90 a pint), Greene King Rocking Rudolph and Ruddles Best. The bar staff were pretty friendly and poured me a good pint of the Stiff Upper Lip, which I think I would've enjoyed more if I'd been able to find a seat, having to drink it somewhat rushed from a standing spot I found in one corner of the room.
I thought this was a good little pub with some well-kept ale, cheery service and a nice, relaxed post-work atmosphere. It's a pleasant environment to have a drink in and whilst the ale range isn't going to blow anyone's mind, it still seems like a very good bet if you happen to find yourself in this part of the city.
On 13th January 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Sir Sydney Smith
Greene King pub that happens to serve more non-GK beers than their own. Ruddles Best was their beer. Guests were Redemption Pale Ale & By The Horns Stiff Upper Lip. There is apparently a 50p CAMRA discount, which I didn't ask for, wasn't offered and wasn't advertised.
The interior has a front and a rear room. Neither are particular large. There was a good mix of drinkers and diners in both rooms. Pizzas were an impressive size. Certainly a better than average pub for this part of London.
On 24th June 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2493 recommendations about 2492 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Komakino . left this review about Sir Sydney Smith
The joys of pub ticking isn't just visiting the GBG pubs, the heritage pubs, the pubs steeped in history. It's as much visiting the pubs you'd walk past on the way to one of the above. This narrow-looking pub is no frills and is well-described by our esteemed London correspondent below. Of note is its Truman's exterior and attempts at internal makeover, with exposed brick walls; a poor man's Southampton Arms (Gospel Oak) maybe. A multicultural mix of locals in attendance, all on good form, and three ales at the jump: Ruddles Best, Caledonian Deuchar's and Redemption Kazbek. The latter – £4.90 a pint – was in great shape; a bitter-hoppy pale ale served in a dimpled handle, with a frothy head which clung on throughout the pint. Maybe I lucked out with my later afternoon/early evening visit but I liked this unheralded local boozer.
On 22nd February 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1075 recommendations about 1075 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Sir Sydney Smith
Named after Admiral Sidney Smith, the pub dates from the early 19th century, but was rebuilt in the 1930s by A. E. Sewell for Truman’s; much of their signage is still visible, but when the pub’s name was twinned with that of Australia’s largest city is unknown.
The previous reviews still hold: it’s a moderate size, with a modern boarded floor and much bare brick, thereafter grey paint to walls and ceiling. There’s an illuminated dartboard to the rear and décor comprises many brewery mirrors of old, along with framed black and white prints of the area from yesteryear, lighting comes from fairly modern hanging fixtures, music was moderate and furniture was mixed height and traditional with some peripheral pews. There was a good atmosphere, provided by a mixed crowd of old-school locals and younger incomers, marred slightly by the barking basset hound.
The ale front amounted to one unused pump, then GK London Glory and Ruddles Best at £2.40 a half and drinkable, served by a friendly barmaid.
This is one of the better pubs in the area, worthy of inclusion on a crawl, but not worth a special visit in its own right; better ale would get the score up.
On 21st April 2022
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1993 recommendations about 1959 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about Sir Sydney Smith
One main room with the bar to the back. Three hand pumps, one reversed, others weak. Rest keg rubbish.
On 17th September 2018
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Sir Sydney Smith
Recently reverted to an earlier name from the Pepper Pot, the staggered bar and side room layout has been stripped out and subject to an alehouse-type interior makeover (albeit with a surprisingly limited amount of furniture). However, there are also a couple of wooden benches out front. Kitchen 'opening soon'. Two real ales on handpump: Morland Original and the 'house' ale (£3.90), with a third disused. Also has three 'craft lagers' dispensed from fake casks on the bar-back - Belhaven Inter-Galactic, Greene King Noble and Wildman Wolfpack - in addition to a few usual suspects on a shiny 'T'-fount.
On 24th September 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Pepper Pot
Modern interior, small semi circular bar in the front area, longer bar at the back. Friendly staff.
On 18th October 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]