The Boleyn Tavern, E6

Pub SignMan left this review about The Boleyn Tavern

This is a truly spectacular, restored Victorian street corner boozer with an opulent multiple room layout that rewards multiple visits. The pub is laid out around a huge central servery, with partitioning screens used to block off or divide the perimeter into numerous separate spaces. The bar has a dark wood counter with rounded corners and a brass foot rail, a grand bar back with spectacular high arches decorated with detailled woodwork features, a pub name plate, decorative pillars and an integral clock. The pub is bare boarded throughout, with large windows along two sides, each with etched glass privacy panes in a row along the bottom. Banquette and hard bench seating has been provided through three small seating areas down one side and in another space at the front, the former partitioned by full height screens with more etched glasswork and folding doors, the latter through a large opening flanked by huge, heavy drapes. A door to the rear leads into a porch space with some amazing etched glass and glazed tile features, from where you can access the other side of the pub, first emerging into the largest space to the rear right, which has plenty of comfy seating options and a huge map of the world on the side wall. To the rear is a dining room which is the most spectacular space of all, incorporating a stunning skylight, decorative friezes and some fabulous seating booths, along with regular seating options and an open kitchen on the back wall. A corridor to the rear leads to the toilets and has been liberally decorated with photos taken at various West Ham games over the years, their old stadium having been just up the road from here before it's demolition. I spotted at least one TV screen, but it wasn't in use, with 90s indie tunes playing quite loudly instead.
The fine interior thankfully comes with some decent beer, as three operational handpulls were dispensing Siren Memento, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Five Points Best and a cider from Seacider, whilst the keg taps had brews from the likes of Five Points, Beavertown and Siren among others. The bar staff were all very friendly and I suppose the only complaint would be that it was pretty dead on my midweek, early evening visit.
This is a beautiful pub that is well worth travelling out to the pub desert in which it stands. I think I could come back here several more times and discover new features on each visit and with some well-kept ale and cheery service, that certainly wouldn't be a chore. The pub is a great asset to the local community and a must do for anyone with even a remote interest in historic pubs.

Date of visit - 1st October 2024

On 2^nd January 2025 - rating: 8
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