Still & Star, Aldgate, E1

Small long pub opposite Aldgate tube. Not much room to sit down but this is a fine traditional ale house, beams, wood floor. All very nice and a good choice of well kept ales despite the Fullers signage. Basic menu includes sandwiches and burgers from £3.80.

I’ve visited this pub a few times over the years, and in that time it’s remained pretty much unchanged. I’ve little to add to the previous reviewer’s description. The Charington signage is still present on one of the outside walls, and even if it wasn’t, the trademark green banded leaded windows would have left no doubt as to its brewery provenance. It claims to be a traditional pub in the City, and I reckon it just about lives up to that claim. It’s possibly the most traditional pub in the City, although to be honest there aren’t many other candidates. I was in there at around 2.45 PM on a weekday, and there were quite a lot of City types still in there apparently enjoying a late lunch. All four handpumps on the counter were in use, dispensing London Pride, Young’s Bitter, Adnam’s Lighthouse, and Stones Nice Try. A chalkboard behind the bar advertised some basic pub grub – pasties at £1.65, and sarnies around the £3 mark. I quite like this pub, even though it could do with a bit more comfortable seating, although to be fair there’s not a lot a room inside for them do very much with the available space. I’ve visited this pub several times before, and will probably visit again.

I’ve always liked this place, it’s an honest boozer where the beer is usually good. The selection wasn’t particularly inspiring on my last visit but the Flankers Tackle was in good nick.