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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Hope, EC1
EC1
EC1M 6BH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The Hope
It's a pity that this good looking building with features that have seen it listed in Camra's heritage pubs database, should be such an ordinary pub. The pounding disco beat was competing with the dull beer for anti-feature of the day. My London Pride was dull and cloudy and clearly (sorry) at the end of the barrel. It was changed with alacrity but I am not a fan of Butcombe Original - it was in reasonable condition but not a beer I would normally choose to drink. Plenty of better pubs around here.
On 7th November 2024
- rating: 4
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Graham Coombs left this review about The Hope
A reasonably good old pub by Smithfield market with some splendid mirrors in the main room, which is furnished with high stools and tables. The Juniper Room upstairs is pleasanter and acts as an overspill or is available for hire and even boasts a dartboard. London Pride and Hobgoblin Gold on handpump, in fair condition but at at city prices.
On 22nd August 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3641 recommendations about 3576 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Hope
Smallish pub near Smithfield Market and has butchers block tables - high seats mainly, high ceiling, some real ale, nice enough London pub
On 14th November 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1542 recommendations about 1519 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Hope
Another attractive looking building but the pub doesn't really live up to it , there was little if no ambiance internally as well as a dull ale availibility with Doom Bar and Tribute, not sure I'd bother again.
On 28th April 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2151 recommendations about 2118 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Hope
Handsome looking pub, with the large bow front window the standout feature.
Inside, its single room, high ceiling, bare floorboards.
Ropey pint of Tribute was a let down.
On 1st March 2020
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1563 recommendations about 1543 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Hope
The 'new' Hope is certainly more appealing than previously, with a refurbished interior that mixes the traditional and modern fairly well. However, the bowed frontage remains the stand-out feature, although there is some decent tiling at each door. There are also a couple of wooden benches out front if the weather is clement. Three real ales on handpump: Doom Bar, Deuchars IPA and Twickenham Naked Ladies (£4.70). NB - Being beside Smithfield Market, it still opens its doors at 7 am Mondays to Fridays.
On 7th October 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Hope
Reopened in early December 2016 and much has changed, all for the better. The bow-fronted window remains as does most of the interior as I recall, especially the mirrors and glazed tiles. The stinking worn carpet has gone, replaced with dark bare boards. Lighting is conventional as is the hackneyed contemporary colour scheme: dark grey/blue panelling to around waist height with white walls above and up top, a dark grey/blue ceiling. Furniture is high with some butchers' block tables. Music was muted and there was no sign of a TV - hooray! The barmaids seemed cheerful and not afflicted with the desire to end it all - hooray again!!
Ales: Deuchar's IPA, Adnam's Broadside and Harvey's Sussex Best at £4.60 a pint which although fine, is very steep indeed.
In all, this place is a vast improvement over its former incarnation but it was very busy and the choice of ale is unadventurous. It's pricey too. Worth a visit if in the area and miles better than the White Bear up the road, but not worth a detour.
On 7th December 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2208 recommendations about 2165 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Hope
Externally marked as a Youngs pub but I suspect that's no longer true. Looks initially promising, bowed frontage leading to a small single room pub with high ceiling and a very impressive section of Victorian tiling and huge etched glasswork on the left side, along with some half-length wood panelling and an aged cash register tucked away. Sadly the rest of the place is a feculent pit; disgusting worn carpet down to the rubber, chipped and worn tables and a general air of decay. Sandwiches behind the bar would have given the British Rail buffet car from the 70s a run for its money. Three pumps, just Youngs Bitter on and it was vile. It went back and to be fair was at least replaced without fuss with a fresh barrel from a new pump (though what I got was still fairly naff). There's a good pub here being stifled and based on my visit, I won't be back. Hope is all it has, currently.
On 2nd April 2016
- rating: 3
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Hope
An impressive bowed frontage hints at good things to come but alas as always, appearances can be deceptive.
This is a small pub with the bar running down the right side. On the plus side, there's some fine glasswork tiles and mirrors, a tiled bar apron, part mosaic floor tiles to the left side and some dark wood panelling; furniture is plain and traditional. On the minus side, there's a scruffy carpet and the whole place is a bit tired. There's TV sport and muted music; this pub was virtually empty even though many others were almost full.
The East European barmaids seemed bored and served me with a half of their only ale, Young's Bitter at £2.00 a half. It was lifeless and sour.
A score of 3 rather than 2 awarded because of some interesting décor, but otherwise this isn't a great place at all - it's like a rundown Victorian pub transported to a depressed estate: The Hopeless would be a better name.
Closed Sunday.
On 3rd March 2016
- rating: 3
[User has posted 2208 recommendations about 2165 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Hope
Very impressive frontage.3 handpumps with beers from Youngs and Cottage. Some original mirrors and tiling.
On 13th October 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]