The Crooked Billet, Clapton, E5

This is a typical roadside pub with a large open plan interior converted from what was clearly once a multi-roomed interior. This means there is now a very large servery in the centre of the room with the majority of the bar facing the rear of the room. The bar counter ahs a pleasant panelled counter and a modified, pump clip lined bar back which reflects the loss of the original through the opening out of the room. Two almost identical seating areas can be found to either side of the bar, both with a mix of check tiles and bare boarded floors and high panelled or exposed brick walls. Seating comes mainly in the form of dining tables and smart chairs but there are also some button backed banquettes and the odd armchair which ups the comfort factor somewhat. There are nice fireplaces on opposing walls and the decor throughout includes a lot of religious imagery, deer skulls, blackboards listing wine and food options and several TV screens, all of which were off during my visit, favouring a really good alternative rock soundtrack instead. A very large patio garden can be found through doors to the rear, offering lots of al fresco seating, much of which is under shelter. There is a bar out here and a small shack was dishing out toasted sandwiches for those not wanting a full meal off the menu. Kids were running amok outside so I stayed in the bar area and enjoyed the excellent music they were playing. There were four beers on when I arrived – Dark Star American Brown, Trumans Zephyr, Signature Brew Roadie and something from Fixed Wheel which sputtered out as the pint I’d ordered was being poured. The barman generously offered me the ¾ of a pint he’d managed to get out for free, but it looked dreadful so I declined and enjoyed a lovely drop of the Roadie for £4.00 instead. This is a large pub that seems able to serve a reasonably wide demographic, from the barflies lined up along the bar counter to the young families taking over the garden, everyone seemed to happily co-exist thanks to the space the pub affords – quite how this all works out on a cold, wet day when everyone is forced indoors remains to be seen, but I found somewhere comfortable to settle down and enjoyed my time here.

A large, hollowed out, 1930's I'd guess boozer with a central bar and large outside area. The service was fine but the focus seems to be on food with plenty eating on our early evening visit. We were asked, having sat down, if we were eating. We weren't and there was no problem with this. The menu looked interesting though and the food which came out looked decent. I'd give it a go if I was peckish and in the area. Beers on were Clouded Minds Luppon, Dark Star Hophead, Siren Craft Sound Wave and Five Points Pale. A decent selection although the Hophead wasn't great but the Sound Wave, a few having been pulled, was good. Not a bad spot.

A large 30's pub painted in a modern grey which has discoloured over the years and now looks tatty,it was hard to believe that we had arrived at a GBG listed pub.However once inside ,there are some art deco features and a good looking island bar in dark wood.An open kitchen to one side was churning out some good smells,and there were comfotable green leather backed corner seating units with substantial wooden tables dotted about the interior.The beer garden is substantial and will absorb a lot of punters in good weather. The 5 handpumps were dispensing ale from some top brewers,but the condition of my first Siren Craft Soundwave IPA was suspect,subsequent pints were more palatable.Dark Star and Clouded Minds also featured so maybe I shouldn't be too picky. Close to Clapton Overground station ,this pub is an oasis in an area which is a bit of a dump and not yet gentrified like nearby Hackney.Worth a visit if in the area.

Official site of The Crooked Billet - www.e5crookedbillet.co.uk

Official site of The Crooked Billet - www.e5crookedbillet.co.uk

There’s no real ale here, just the usual stuff with Courage Beat and John Smith’s on keg probably being the best bets. I didn’t see any sign of food when I was in on Saturday morning, although I spotted an advertisement for a a 2-course Sunday lunch for £7. There’s a single island bar slap bang in the middle of the room, with some flagstone flooring around it and fireplaces at both ends, with the one the right having been stone cladded at some point. The drinking area to the left of the pub has both a pool table and a dartboard. There was a TV on showing some kids show followed by some football. Some standard homilies adorned the walls; one was something about strangers being friends you’ve yet to meet. I was in bery early on Saturday so it was very quiet with just me and a couple of other punters in, one of whom was in the beer garden at the back, probably to have a smoke. Seating is the usual banquettes plus normal tables and chairs – there are no airs or graces in this place. I saw a chalkboard advertising various events, such as “The Vibe” playing on Saturday night, plus a “music night” on day as well as a poker night. This is a pretty standard and unremarkable pub that’s handy for Clapton Station, but it’s not one to which I would make a point of returning to.