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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 14th September 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Wanstead Tap, E7
Wanstead Flats
E7
E7 0AQ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about Wanstead Tap
Housed in a railway arch, this quirky and characterful bar combines the utilitarian stylings of industrial design with a warm, inviting ambiance. The space has a concrete screed floor, corrugated metal walls, and a vaulted ceiling, softened by thoughtful muted lighting. Seating is mixed, with upturned oil drums and high stools to the front (visually interesting but arse-breaking and knee-knockingly impractical), rows of metal tables and chairs down the centre, and a line of plush sofas along the left-hand wall beneath a drinking ledge. The bar is opposite, with a faux-brick counter and fairy light-draped bar back; taps are mounted to one side. The rear features a stage for live performances, with framed photos of past events along the left-hand wall. A large screen on the back wall showed Six Nations rugby with full commentary, contributing to a sociable feel that was by no means reliant on everyone watching the live sport. The landlord was hands-on and full of good cheer and a good crowd were getting stuck into pizza which can be ordered in from a nearby pizza house.
No cask ale was available, which the landlord explained was due to the venue’s limited opening hours which make it impossible to maintain good quality, but five carefully curated craft keg options were on, apparently chosen for rarity or local appeal. I tried Franklin’s Porter, as recommended by the landlord—full of chocolate and coffee notes, it was a good call. The service was engaging and the whole place had a relaxed, community-oriented buzz that made me wonder why they didn't bother opening the place up more frequently.
I had tried to visit this place once before, but fell foul of their limited opening hours and have waited a while to finally get back out here again, but I'm pleased that I made the effort. It's a good example of a micropub, set in the sort of place usually reserved for micro breweries, and the lively atmosphere within and hearty welcome from the affable landlord made it somewhere that I could easily imagine spending plenty of time in if I lived nearby. The lack of cask was also not too much of an issue, given the efforts to ensure a solid keg selection and I'd happily call back again if they happened to be open the next time I'm in town.
Date of visit: 8th February 2025
On 2nd September 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3387 recommendations about 3387 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Wanstead Tap
Something different and as the last reviews states, you've got to want to come. You're not likely to pass it my accident. Unless you are researching filming locations from the Sweeney.
I came on an afternoon and was the only punter but it looks exactly my sort of place. A series of chesterfield sofas and round tables, setup like a working class jazz speakseasy. Individual lighting provided by tea lights in jug handled pint pots.
All seating looking at a stage and they have regular live music, hootenanny once a month, poetry readings and film nights.
Lots of cans on sale and several kegs - not immediately obvious what is hosted. I went for what was labelled "Northern Monk IPA 6.2%" and from using the ABV and Untappd worked out it was probably New World. It was lovely and not bad at £5.50.
Would love to come back on an evening when there is entertainment.
On 6th March 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1679 recommendations about 1656 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Wanstead Tap
This is not the easiest place to find, it is situated in a railway arch at the top end of Winchelsea Road just before it fizzles out rather than continuing North into Thorpe Road. The nearest station is probably Wanstead Park Overground on the Gospel Oak to Barking line, but it seemed a fair walk. The buses in Dames Road are nearer.
This started off as an outlet for bottled beers from London microbreweries to take away or by mail order. It now does on and off sales at the premises and has started serving the odd cask.
Inside it is a single arch under the Overground with the roof consisting of a corrugated metal arch concealing the bricks in a fashion rather similar to the Chelmsford Ale House. There is a small bar on the right, some solid wood tables and chairs, a couple of sofas and a whole load of shelving containing a vast selection of bottled "craft" beers. There was no cask beer on my visit, I got the impression they may have had problems with the relatively hot summer and getting deliveries at the right time.
I thought that deciding on a beer to try would be a daunting task but quickly spotted Siren Empress Stout, an 8.5% Russian Stout that I reckoned would be OK without being chilled. The 330ml bottle was £3.50 to drink in or £3.00 to go. I've no idea how that compares with a trendy "craft" bar in Central London, it seemed expensive but I didn't feel I was being taken to the cleaners.
They do limited food, I thought I saw a pork pie with micro-waved mushy peas being served. Well at least they are up front about it.
If they are serious about cask they really need some sort of temperature controlled cabinets to hold however many casks they want on at a time. I don't think they have room for a full blown cellar.
This is something rather different and must be really handy for the people who live in the surrounding terraced streets. If they could sort the cask arrangements out then I'm guessing it would be classed as a micropub.
Normal opening hours are as follows:-
10:00 to 18:00 Mon-Thu & Sat
10:00 to 23:30 Fri
10:00 to 16:00 Sun
On 26th September 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]