The Pembury Tavern, E8

Official site of The Pembury Tavern - www.fivepointsbrewing.co.uk

A first in here the other night into a rather strange looking building on the five points junction, which gives its name to the eponymous brewery. The pub was here by at least the 1850s but was rebuilt in 1866 for Truman's. Due to a fire, it was closed for some time from the 1990s until 2006, reopened as a 16-pump beer heaven by Milton's, paradise lost for some as this is as of Autumn 2018 the tap for the Five Points brewery, with now just six pumps, possibly with one cider but otherwise Pale, Best and Railway Porter with two guests, one of which I couldn't make out. On arrival, I was greeted by a man taking a pee against the side wall, though judging by his demeanour and garb, I doubt he was a punter, thankfully. The interior is quite a spacious U-shape with a modern boarded floor, part wooden panelled walls, otherwise green paint about as far up the walls to head height, white thereon up with either a white ceiling in the main bar area or mungy brown to the side wings which can be partitioned off with full height green curtains. Lighting comes from hanging opaque white lamps - which jostle with plenty of modern ceiling fans - or spherical opaque white sconce lights. There's very little décor save for a few framed Five Points flyers; decent music played at an acceptable level so as not to compete with the quiz which was probably the easiest I've witnessed. The modern bar array is finished with white glazed tiles to the back, then green to the bar front, all of which matches the overall colour scheme. Furniture is eclectic with old school chairs rubbing shoulders with brethren made from tubular steel and ply. The overall effect is a little like drinking in a prison canteen, not cosy but with a surprisingly good atmosphere from the 3/5ths full pub, patronised by mainly younger - but not young - drinkers and an old boy, possibly the owner of the aforementioned dog. The lavs are good and modern with two cubicles no less, though accessed down what appears to be a fire escape from an office block. The staff were friendly and efficient. Ales: as above with my pint of Pale coming in at an incredibly agreeable £4.20 and good it was too. I also plumped for one guest ale, Pig & Porter's Purest Green at £2.40 a half, the pub having just come to the end of a green hop festival. This was a great drink, tasting almost as if it had spent a short spell in a whisky vat. This is a very interesting pub and I'd come again if in the area and use it frequently if I lived locally but as I don't, I feel that this isn't really a destination venue so it's unlikely that I'll return.

Official site of The Pembury Tavern - www.fivepointsbrewing.co.uk

Set in the vee of a road junction, this rather nice Victorian pub has been knocked though into one large room, extending into a side area, with polished wood flooring and a 1930's club sort of feel. The bar billiards table is a rare survivor for the area. Most ales from Five Points, who own the pub, but including guests from Siren, ELB and Redemption, and a selection of crafty stuff. A very civilised place for a good pint or two but beware it does not open Monday to Thursday lunchtimes.

bought by Five Points Brewing

An extremely large corner pub offering the full range of Milton beers, plus a couple of guests ales. The pub was quiet on our Tuesday lunchtime visit and we had just visited the Cock Tavern down the road, which was also very quiet. On this visit we found 5 Milton beers, 2 guest beers and 1 cider on handpump. We opted for the Colchester Metropolis, which was decent enough. The young barmaid was friendly and chatty.

I haven't been to the Pembury Tavern since it's brief spell as a Banks and Taylor pub over twenty five years ago. If someone had told me back in the day that in thirty years time over half of the pubs in this area will have closed down, then I would have straight away nominated this as one of the favourites to go. In those days it had a terrible reputation for drug dealing, violence and all sorts of trouble. Now it survives as a GBG entry with decent looking food and interesting beers. On my Saturday afternoon visit it was quite busy with many who appeared to be off to a football match. Maybe they were heading to Tottenham via the nearby Hackney Downs Station. The bar sports four banks of four handpumps, nearly all in use but at least one had a cider. As has been noted most of the beers are from the Milton brewery in Cambridge. I went for their Nero which at £3.20 was cheaper than other competing alehouses in the area. It turned out to be a black beer and was in excellent condition. Happily There seemed to be no evidence at all of the usual global corporate abomination's keg dross. Definitely worth a visit.