The Clapton Hart, Clapton, E5

A pub I have driven past on a number of occasions and always thought it looked a little shabby, as indeed it is, but by design and it works very well.As described by Malden Man, I too noted with some concern the dodgy ceiling although not the reason for our enforced exodus to the garden,this was due to wayward electrics and alarms going off.What I saw of the pub I liked and my beer of choice , Volden Pale Ale was a decent start to the day,I would be more than happy to call in again.

Once the White Hart as evidenced by the ornate inscription on the pediment gable on one corner, now renamed and under the unusual care of the Antic group. A deliberately shabby and distressed interior with a worryingly looking cracked ceiling, enormous inside with a rambling collection of rooms. A couple of areas looked to be mainly for those dining with serried ranks of tables and old school style chairs, no one was but we were in first thing so probably too early. I noticed a few old pianos here and there, one with a sign saying to not try and play it, one room had a long glass case full of all sorts including a number of old film spool canisters. We were for reasons unknown directed to drink outside in the rear garden which on an unseasonably warm day was rather pleasant. This allowed views of a crumbling structure at roof level and a sheeted over section of the roof itself, whether this is another quirky Antic feature or not I'm unsure. You get some decent beer in these places, Saturday offered Alechemy Ritual Pale Ale, ELB Nightwatchman, Dark Star Hophead, Hammerton Life on Mars, two from Volden, Session Ale and Pale Ale and a cider, Turner;s Elderflower. A very good start for our group's jaunt around the area, enjoyed it here.

My first encounter with an Antic pub and this one could be accused of settling firmly on the shabby side of shabby chic. I felt that the faded grandeur effect came off very well though and liked it here. The service was very friendly and the governor amiable and clearly committed to decent beer. Eight handpumps displayed: Hammerton Life on Mars, Volden Pale Ale and Session Ale, Thornbridge Jaipur IPA and New River Lost River along with two ciders. Everything we tried was in good shape and the place really deserved a longer stop than our relatively brief visit. A gem in Clapton.

This is a very fine building with an attractive exterior and a totally quirky interior,typical of the Antic chain.It's also very large inside with high ceilings and a rear dining room,two wings either side of the modest sized bar and distressed walls ,with a fine fireplace to the right.The furniture is comfortable antique,the wooden lamps stands most attractive ,yet with a table football machine in the centre of the main room.An upright piano has been converted to a seating bench.It's a bit like being on the set of Steptoe & Son,I thought it looked great. At the bar there are six handpumps with an eclectic range of mainly London base microbrewery output ,which seems to rotate so you should get some interesting brews here.My New River Lost River was very fresh and tasty. I thought this was the best pub in Clapton and really should get a visit if you are in the area,quirky but in a good way with a friendly and chatty young serving crew.