Bricklayers Arms, EC2

Pub SignMan left this review about Bricklayers Arms

In amongst all the trendy hipster bars of Shoreditch, this traditional pub feels a bit like an intruder, but has of course been here considerably longer than all the fad chasing venues that fill this neighbourhood. Whilst the pub still seems to cater for those wanting a more traditional pub experience, it’s not adverse to embracing the partying masses either, as evidenced by my Saturday, early evening visit which saw a load of old boys supping their pints at one end of the room and about 30 loud revellers stood around the bar, all dressed as Wally – possibly the most incongruous sight I’ve stumbled across in a pub. The interior is a relatively shallow, opened out pace set across two levels, with the servery along the back wall of the lower righthand side and a slightly raised, bare boarded seating area to the left. The bar has a decent wood panelled counter and quite attractive bar back boasting a few retained features. Seating is pretty limited here, with options confined to the right-hand wall and beneath the frosted front windows. A few pleasant light fixtures are dotted around and add to the traditional feel, whilst a juke box opposite the bar promises some old school entertainment. The left-hand seating area is rather basic, with dark exposed floorboards, hard bench seating around the perimeter and a few tatty low stools in support. The walls have a lincrusta covering and are sparingly decorated, mainly with glib, beer themed slogans and plain mirrors. A sign points the way through a door to the rear for a smoking area out the back, but I didn’t make it outside to check it out – I’m guessing it doesn’t really double as a beer garden.
There were three handpulls in operation when I visited, which is more than I’d expected, with options comprising St Austell Tribute, Fullers London Pride and Dark Star Hophead. The Hophead was in reasonable condition, but clocked in at £6.40 a pint, which might be par for the course in this part of town, but regardless it’s still pretty galling to fork out for a session beer at such a price.
I can’t say that this pub really felt like it was doing very much – there’s a basic beer range (albeit with three cask options), simple seating, limited décor and a predominantly transient customer base, which should conspire to make it a very unmemorable pub experience. However, the contrast between this place and just about every other nearby bar, is so great that it almost becomes memorable by default. I have no strong feelings either way about this place, but would be happy to call back some time, if only to be sure of getting a decent cask ale in a part of town that can be a be lacking on this front.

Date of visit - 3rd June 2023

On 7^th December 2023 - rating: 6
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