The Lock Inn, Hackney Wick, E15

A conversion of a retail unit at Here East ,someone here is making an effort to recreate a pub vibe.Although the Lee Navigation passes nearby,there is a large grass verge and you dont feel canalside.The unit has a traditional looking frontage and pic nic benches outside under the building overhang.The interior extends a long way back but on entering as the only natural light comes in via the modest sized windows ,it feels gloomy.However there is a darts board to the left,two serving bars down this side while opposite the bar is a brown bench seat which extends the full length of that side and has trad tables and chairs. A rank of high tables occupy the centre of the room. There are pictures ,morrors and some signs along the long wall,and shaded lamps,there is a drop down screen for televised sport although none was advertised so this may just be terrestrial coverage. Food is burgers,pizze and bar snack and the muzak was not too loud nor a dirge.Although real ale was described outside,the single handpump has a clip reversed.The printed beer menu indicated 8 keg taps as regulars,one a sparkling cider.There are guest kegs as well making a choice from 10 and my Verdant Light Bulb (£6) was decent,not too cold or over carbonated. There is a Sunday quiz,live Irish folk music on the last Friday of the month and I liked the collection of beer trays pinned to the outside of the bar counter.I dare say Hammers fans will use it on match days,but someone here is trying to create a pub atmosphere,not easy in a modern unit. Had real ale been available I would have scored higher.

A single roomed bar set in a row of canalside units, nothing particularly alluring about the place though the standard of craft offerings was much better than the nearby Four Quarters bar, I settled for a Kernel Amarillo and Wakatu Pale from the choice of several beers. The beer was good as you would expet from that particular brewer but there was nothing else thst would make me want to take the walk up here again.

Official site of The Lock Inn - www.thelockinnhackney.uk

Official site of The Lock Inn - www.thelockinnhackney.uk