Duke of Wellington, Spitalfields, E1

This pub dates back to at least 1851 and a first in here for me. From the out, the reviews below no longer apply as this is now a very trendy hipster pub close to Spitalfields and the Ten Bells, probably the most famous pub on the Jack the Ripper trail. Death could still loom large as the pub had absolutely no Track and Trace whatsoever and somewhat puzzlingly, I was asked to wear a mask as I was led across the floor to a table where I sat four feet from a group of strangers. Walls' manifestations are a mix of pale grey, smoky blue (yawn) and some bare brick to the rear with an ugly red neon sign. The floor is bare boarded and very rough, there's a bar with matchboard front which may be original, above which hang around five lamps with copper shades. Thereafter, lighting comes from wall mounted lamps. Furniture is fairly conventional and décor comes in the form of a few eclectic prints to the walls and potted palms to the window sills. The crowd here is young and trendy with some being rather mouthy, made all the worse due to the pub's poor acoustics. My discomfort was amplified by the temperature; despite being warmly dressed, I was rather cold due to the doors being open and the slightly inclement weather - a taste of things to come. Staff seemed a little rushed and English wasn't their strong point, made all the worse for wearing masks. Ales: there was a chrome battery of three 12-fount dispensers for craft stuff and two pumps dispensing Gloom Bore and Landlord at a wincing £5.50 a pint, a total [Jack the] rip-off, though at least it was in good nick. This place isn't for me so I'll not be back.

Official site of Duke of Wellington - www.duke.london

Official site of Duke of Wellington - www.duke.london

Old-school side-street boozer near Petticoat Lane market. Retains two rooms: the main bar and a smaller corner room with a dartboard. Very traditionally, if plainly, furnished and decorated. Three handpumps on the main counter, offering Adnams Southwold and Twickenham Grandstand (£3.70) plus a cider.