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Dirty Dicks, Bishopsgate, EC2
EC2
EC2M 4NR
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
BobOs . left this review about Dirty Dicks
I've often thought about venturing into Dirty Dick's during the past 40 years while waiting at the bus stop opposite but the infrequency of London Transport's offerings have always got the better of me - I daren't miss another bus! Anyway this week I ventured in mid-afternoon and my illusions were, well, shattered. The ground floor interior is, in fact, also an illusion - my grandchildren are older than most of this pastiche of 'olden days'. The beers were OK, the service cavalier and slow (considering it was almost empty) and it was damned expensive. Thank goodness for Woodin's Shades on the opposite corner.
On 5th October 2012
- rating: 3
[User has posted 370 recommendations about 355 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Dirty Dicks
This Young's house has a prime location opposite Liverpool Street station and an interesting back story as detailed in some of the reviews below. Unfortunately it doesn't really capitalise on these attributes and as such it comes across as fairly uninteresting place. The dark wood interior has been filled with typical pub accessories such as some casks mounted on a high beam and all manner of bottles and pots. Brick and glass partitioning along the left hand wall create a couple of booth like areas with the rest of the room served by high tables and stools or drinking shelves around support pillars. The bar lines the right hand wall and at the rear of the room there is a door which gives access to the upstairs bar and restaurant which appeared to be closed on my weekend visit. There are a fair number of slot machines in the main bar and a TV screen mounted above the entrance was on, showing a muted Western movie whilst a decent music soundtrack played over a terrible, sludgy sound system.
Beers were Young's Ordinary and Special (£3.60), Wells Bombardier and Courage Best with Young's Waggledance off. My pint of Special wasn't in great condition (it seemed to be very watery) and certainly didn't merit the high price. The barmaid was prompt enough if not exactly the friendliest.
I was hoping that the pub would make a bit more of its history, but there was very little to hint at the pub's past, which strikes me as a bit of a missed opportunity. I didn't really warm to this place and will most likely try one of the other nearby pubs the next time I'm passing through Liverpool Street.
On 30th July 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about Dirty Dicks
Situated in Bishopsgate, across the road from Liverpool Street Station, is Dirty Dicks, a well known watering hole that came into the Young's portfolio in 1991 following their acquisition of the Finch's pub group.
"Dirty Dick" was, as all the pub guides tell us, one Nathaniel Bentley, an 18th Century warehouse owner who stopped washing and cleaning up following the sudden death of his fiancé. The pub was formerly called The Old Jerusalem, but took on the Dirty Dicks name from the former dirty warehouse because of the notoriety it had acquired. The present pub dates back to 1804, although the upper part of the building has since been rebuilt.
Nowadays, it's a reasonably attractive city pub spread over three floors. The main bar - at ground level - features low ceilings, much exposed brickwork, oak beams and, despite excessively loud "background" music on my recent late evening visit, a pleasant atmosphere with a wide customer mix, not just restricted to "suits". The upstairs bar houses Hobsons restaurant, but still with a bar and a drinking area. The downstairs vaults - to where I didn't venture - offers regular Stand Up Comedy, Karaoke and other forms of so called entertainment.
On my recent visit, the usual Young's range of beers was on, plus Butcombe Bitter as a guest. The London Gold - at a whopping £ 3.55p - was reasonable. Young's Special and Ordinary were priced at £ 3.40p and £ 3.20p respectively.
This is a pretty reasonable pub, but the nearby Lord Aberconway, on which I have just posted, is preferable in my book, on the grounds of beer range, quality and price.
On 7th October 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Dirty Dicks
I only visited the street level bar on my visit last Tuesday evening, but there is also a cellar bar (Vaults) where live music and comedy nights are regularly held and another bar and a dining room is located upstairs. This is a Young’s house which had Ordinary, Special, Waggle Dance and Bombardier available alongside a limited draught selection. I found the guy behind the bar to be very polite, but the Guinness was a bit pricey rocking in at £2.00 for a half. There was some background music playing and the plasma screen above the entrance was off and I didn’t spot any sport advertisements.
The aforementioned cellar and upstairs bar/dining area are both available for hire and food is served all day, although I didn’t see anyone eating.
This is an old historical London boozer and the exposed brick and aged wooden interior is great, but I didn’t find the seating arrangement to be the most comfortable. I’m not sure that I would make a point of visiting here again.
On 23rd July 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5233 recommendations about 5201 pubs]