Hoop & Grapes, Aldgate, EC3

A first in here the other day and this is a pub well described below. It's in Aldgate, a City fringe area which is a bit depressing and where you wouldn't want to linger long. In general though, this pub make up for it, dating back to 1593 and having leant to the by 18 inches over the years, or so we are told. The pub appears to have been much altered over the years with a mix of old - seemingly very old - and quite new, notable in the rather ugly electrical cables that festoon the ceiling. The pub was surprisingly and pleasantly quiet on our early evening visit, ales on offer being Nicholson's Pale Ale, Truman's Runner, Jennings' Cocker Hoop, Rooster's California Common, Portobello's Very Pale Ale, a blank pump and Harviestoun's Summer Legend at a very reasonable £1.95 a half. I would have given this pub at least another mark but for the presence of a games machine and TV sport, albeit tennis with the sound off. This place is definitely worth a trip and even a detour - I'd certainly come again if in the area. That said I try to avoid this area.