The Pembury Tavern, E8

When we visted in late July 2010 there was a mini beer festival iwth casks racked up in a separate ares near the main entrance. Big high ceiling pub with sanded floor boards, more of a hall than a cosy pub, but we were there for the beer so the decor was not of top concern to us. All the ales we tried were in top condition. It is well worth the journey to either Hackney Central or Hackney Downs station to visit this pub.

Randomness Guide to London - Pembury Tavern entry

Randomness Guide to London - Pembury Tavern entry

A cavernous echoing barn but a superb selection of beer for the discerning drinker. A rare London outlet for Cambridge's Milton brewery, serving seven of them yesterday, most tasted, perhaps all actually, and on very good form. Also available were two from Great Oakley, Delapre Dark, and Welland Valley Mild plus Tydd Steam Swedish Blonde, Black Friars Spring Tide and Gwatkin real cider. A tremendous selection. A pool table(with purple baize) and also a bar billiards table add to the attraction. Lots of old pump clips from the guests. Board games available. Very impressive all round.

I find the Pembury a bit of an enigma, so many plus points but, as has been pointed out before, it is partly let down by a rather uninspiring interior and at times, rather sedate and hollow atmosphere. It is easy to pass by the Pembury without actually realising it is open, such is the rather unappealing entrance (although there are apparently plans to put in glazed doors and make things look a bit more welcoming from the outside). The interior will hardly have designers foaming at the mouth; basically a shelled, knocked through old pub, a bit cavernous and with décor that can at best be described as monotonously plain. If it were not for the 1890's photo that appears in the pub and London Drinker adverts, you could be forgiven for thinking that it is a converted Bank or Building Society rather than a long standing Victorian pub. Little, if anything, remains of any original internal features although to be fair, the pub was the victim of a major fire in the late 90's. Modern art prints mix it up with old local black and white photos but there is not enough at the moment to cover the vast expanses of bare painted wall (the pub is openly requesting any old photos that people may have to add to their collection). An ever increasing collection of pump clips is beginning to wind its way around the ceiling beams and above the bar, the pub name is picked out in letters that resemble a junior school playgroup project. The tables are well spaced out but there is a distinct lack of small tables that means if there are just 2 of you, you will inevitably end up sitting at a table big enough for 6 or 8. Where the Pembury excels is, of course, the beers. 16 hand pumps and even on the quietest evening there will be 8 or 9 in use. The majority of Ales come from the Miltons range and I have tried several different pints on my 2 recent visits and have no issue over quality or price (most are in the £2.80/£2.90 range). Also, it is worth noting that they serve in oversized glasses so don't try and shout about short measures as I nearly did! There is usually a mild and real cider available as well as good selection of bottled beers, whisky and wines. Everything is listed above the bar including the forthcoming beers. Regular beer festivals are also a feature. The pub does have a wonderful approach to pub traditions with classic board games available over the bar, unobtrusive pool table and bar billiards, knowledgeable and approachable staff and a surprising mix of customers of both sexes. The atmosphere may be a bit subdued in off peak times with no music or TV's but this is not necessarily a bad thing and it can be a pleasure to drink in a place that is non threatening and amongst people who are in the pub for the right reasons, quality beer and social interaction. There is an ongoing programme of improvements which I am sure will address some of the negative aspects in due course but, as things stand, it is still a pub well worth seeking out.

This is definitely one for the real ale fans as Fosters swigging football fans need not apply. There is a pool table and bar billiards, but this place is basically a large sparsely decorated room with no TVs, but eight or so well kept bitters and a couple of premium lagers. This is more ‘ale hall' than pub and it is good for a few beers, but I wouldn't want to stay all evening.