Chequers, Walthamstow, E17

Tris C left this review about Chequers

This pub dates from the late 17th century, undoubtedly rebuilt in the 19th when my great-great-grandfather was a stallholder along this stretch, displaying some lovely green glazed tiles and a Taylor Walker cannon above the sign frame.
The interior and bar array are now totally unrecognisable since my last visit nearly 21 years ago, possibly the result of a makeover from 2013. The three-level interior goes back a long way to a function room with pool and darts, right next to the gents lavs which were the smelliest I’ve encountered in a long time. Otherwise, the interior is quite woody with t ‘n’ g dividers and balusters, shabby chic (à la Antic but not as extreme) with no obvious remaining heritage. It was very dark inside at the time of my Thursday 9.20pm visit, with green walls, bare brick and a white Anaglypta ceiling; most of the light came from two ugly fluorescent brewery signs and Megavision screen showing the football, illuminating a life-size skeleton slumped at the bar; I know how he felt. Customers were young, trendy incomers, no-one seemingly interested in the football.
Cask amounted to ELB Foundation and Quadrant, £2.50 a half and ok, nothing more.
This pub is a bit of a poncey affair, nothing like the traditional East London boozer I recall from yesteryear, but that’s the astonishing level of gentrification in this area for you; go to the Nags or Rose ‘n’ Crown.

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Date of visit: 31st December 2003/1st January 2004:

New Year's Day [1/1/2020] reminds me that I actually spent New Year's in here with three friends back in '03/'04 - how time flies!
Judging by the photos, inside and out, the place has been subjected to much gentrification over the last 16 years and now looks rather hipster where once it was a locals' boozer. Still, the evening was most memorable with much bonhomie, including a quality buffet spread at great value; we enjoyed a fine evening going on beyond 2.00am.
It may have changed beyond all recognition, but I'd be happy to return, if only for the sake of Auld Lang Syne.

On 27^th October 2024 - rating: 4
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