Still & Star, Aldgate, E1

I’d heard lots of good things about this traditional pub, set down an alleyway close to Aldgate station, and was further encouraged when, on approaching the pub, I passed a large group of CAMRA types who had seen fit to include the pub on their Friday night crawl. The pub certainly boasts a classic traditional London interior, comprising a single, narrow room, bare boarded throughout and with a dark wood panelled bar counter down the left hand side under a canopy covered with promotional material and with a rather unimpressive mirrored bar back. There are leaded windows with Charringtons style green bands and to one side there is a modern fireplace with an exposed brick chimney breast. Plenty of old brewery mirrors have been put on display throughout and there are lots of darts trophies on show, with dartboards located at either end of the room, which you don’t see all that often nowadays in Central London. A signed, framed Michael van Gerwen shirt hangs near the entrance, further enhancing the pub’s darting reputation whilst other photos of a sporting nature, mainly rugby based, can be seen in the front part of the pub. Seating is mainly in the form of high stools either around the occasional high table or along the bar, although there were a few chairs and low stools as well. Music played quietly and there were a couple of TV screens showing muted international football. I had been led to believe that the pub had a reputation for good ale, so was a little disappointed to see just three mainstream beers on the six handpulls. These were Adnams Lighthouse, Fullers London Pride and Youngs Ordinary. The Lighthouse was in fairly good shape but I found the selection very run of the mill and wondered whether I had timed my visit badly, as an interesting guest ale might have made all the difference. I found this pub looked a little run down but still had a fair bit of charm about it. The ale options were a bit of a let down, and with the nearby Hoop and Grapes doing a roaring trade, you wonder if they are missing a trick here. Worth adding to a crawl of the area, but not one I’ll be racing to return to.

Being across the road from Aldgate LU Station the Still and Star was the first pub that I visited on a crawl of the area two days (Wednesday) before Christmas. It is located behind another building that shields it from the main drag, but a well-placed sign informed me of its location which was easily pinpointed. The interior of the pub is long and thin with the bar up one end and seating the other. At both ends of the pub are a dartboard and a plasma screen. Both of the plasma screens were showing rolling news that was muted in favour of some Christmas classics that were playing in the background. The décor is traditional London boozer so I felt right at home as soon as I entered. Alongside some usual keg suspects the bar supports four hand pumps that were drawing Fullers London Pride, Adnams Lighthouse, Youngs Ordinary and Harvey’s IPA. Food is available from 11:00 until 15:00, but because my visit was just after 16:00 I didn’t see any menus. This is a solid boozer that I would gladly visit again.

Unpretentious, old-fashioned boozer handily located for Aldgate tube and bus stations. Narrow bar with a small lounge area at the back near the dartboard. Silent racing on the TV. Basic, traditional decor. Also has some wooden picnic benches out front, with a few small metal tables along the side of the building. Four of the six handpumps in operation on this visit, offering the regular Pride, Youngs Ordinary, Adnams Lighthouse and Harveys IPA (£3.70). Overall, worth a visit if in the area.

Quite a basic long narrow pub that has installed its own brewery in the basement.No OWN BREWED BEER ON.Six hand pumps with 3 regular beers on and Harveys ipa (not to my taste).Friendly old style boozer.

John advises, below, that the pub opens Saturdays, but was closed yesterday at 14:00. A bit odd that that should be the case when large banners were declaring 'Live Rugby Shown Here'.