The Prince Regent, Limehouse, E14

Proper East End boozer with plenty of lively banter between the regulars. The tiled pub name on each façade is the main feature of interest on the exterior, which is otherwise a bit odd with a single-storey frontage projecting beyond the main three-floor block. Once through one of the doors, you find a surprisingly tidy retro interior with the decor of the old-fashioned country pub variety. Various spaces around the bar area but limited seating apart from bar stools. Separate rear room. Plenty of large-screen TVs showing the racing. No real ale, and not even John Smiths or any other keg bitter, so had an unaccustomed but leisurely pint of Carlsberg (£3.40) rather than rushing a half since this place is quite appealing in its own way.

The signage for this pub is quite unusual, being spelt out in glazed tiling, possibly faience, on both sides of the building. Inside we have black painted false beams everywhere on the walls and ceiling, some bearing horses brasses, and with one ceiling beam having a black painted cartwheel hanging from it. There are also copper jugs hanging from one of the beams, as well as Delft style and other plates decorating the beams and walls. It looks as if someone was aiming to give it a country pub feel, but actually it felt more 60s or 70s to me. Nothing wrong with that of course. The floor has a good quality green carpet, and furnishings are green plastic upholstered banquettes, small round stools, and marble topped metal framed tables. The TVs were on, showing the racing. For the first time in some years I saw an ashtray on the bar counter - but obviously I am not saying that I saw any illegal activity taking place here. This is a surprisingly nice little pub - other than the fact that they don't do real ale. I didn't see any sign of food either. It was quite comfortable in here, and I would have rated it much higher had there been a decent ale available.