The George Tavern, E1

Tris C left this review about The George Tavern

Date of visit: 28th May 2022:

This pub dates from the mid-17th century, the current commanding structure built in 1891 for Courage.
I had come by here about a week ago and the place looks closed, if it weren’t for a large fluorescent ‘Free House’ sign to the parapet. It’s only for the doorman outside that gives the game away, after a brief chat, the door being opened to a couple of customers, revealing flashing blue lighting and very loud noise. A return last night, with a similar performance, three young customers being frisked by the doorman, only to reveal more flashing blue lighting and loud music; this door and right-hand window are boarded up with chipboard. The website seems to indicate that this is some sort of hire venue or live music joint, but little is divulged.
I doubt I’ll try getting in here again, but I’ll bet that neither a traditional pub experience nor real ale await.

--------------------------------

Grade II-listed, an Asset of Community Value, as the Halfway House (a name which still persists to some leaded lights and second floor pane), this pub dates from 1654, rebuilt in the 1820s, rebuilt (or remodelled) in 1862 with a refit (or further remodelling) in 1891, courtesy of R. A. Lewcock; further history can be seen courtesy of CAMRA, which has afforded the place with a * heritage citation.
Essentially, this place is a pub by day (opens at 16.00) then becomes a live music venue, with a seven-day minimum midnight licence. To the left-hand side, there’s what seems to be an alley but going by the old street sign to the side of the pub was in fact the western extremity of Aylward Street, now mostly housing with the Peacock to the easternmost end and now home to a pizza shack. Difused with a soupçon of dry ice, interior illumination isn’t the pub’s greatest asset, but judging by the texture beneath my feet, the floor must be bare boarded. There are very worn studded banquettes, an indeterminate colour but possibly dark grey, chunky natural wood utilitarian tables and no chairs. The ceiling seems rag washed (or water stained) and the bar array appears to be of some vintage. The star of the show, however, is the fantastic tiled rear wall (see CAMRA). This is a live music venue with raised stage area to the west wall (see photos). Customers were mainly twentysomethings at the time of my Tuesday 20.45, 45-minute visit and a fantastic New Wave-style synthe/rock band was playing, certainly 40 years too late to make them a fortune, the frontman and lead guitarist lying atop an upright piano, playing a guitar with his teeth before hanging onehanded, upside-down from the lighting rig, singing into the mic with his free hand; volume determined that I needed a short break and sit in the tranquil beer garden/pizza dispensary.
With two unused pumps there’s no cask, the best option being a pint of Star, £6.90, served by a member of the friendly staff.
Although a free-to-enter pub by day – which justifies inclusion on the site – this is a live music venue with a maximum £15 entrance fee and minimum midnight closing. There may be no cask, but the interior and good music making for something different, it’s worthy of inclusion in a crawl with Wilton's, the Crown, CBC and Grapes; or would you prefer to spend the evening in the Hungerford?

On 23^rd May 2025 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2242 recommendations about 2199 pubs]