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Detail Pages
The Approach Tavern, E2
E2
E2 9LY
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Approach Tavern
Date Visited 20th October 2020:
A first in here the other night - an interesting-looking pub which dates from 1860 but was seemingly restored after World War II, having been Fritz cracker'd during the Blitz, located on the corner of a rather attractive gentrified street in eastern Bethnal Green.
As evidenced by lettering to the windows, this was a Fuller's house, but it's now under the stewardship of the consistently good Remarkable Pubs Co., though judging by the lettering to the main entrance, this was probably once a Courage house. The first thing you notice on entering is the rather regal neo-Classical mahogany bar back, a clock at centre, with some etched mirrors, carved fluted columns and ionic capitals with a parapet that supports a marble bust and two glass cases containing a stuffed fish and two stuffed pheasants. The bar itself is quite buxom with field panelling and a brass foot rail. The interior is very commanding with a high cream coloured Anaglypta clad ceiling which sadly exhibits ugly air conditioning vents, though it does have an unusual coved cornice, beneath which are white walls. Lighting comes in the main from hanging glass and brass lanterns with tea lights in half pint dimple glasses on large tables which may once have graced a school classroom. Chairs are scrubbed wood, are eclectic though most of the seating comes from t 'n' g pews arranged in L-shapes to form a sort of booth; it works very well. The floor is rough bare boarded but what is one of the pub's most striking features is the lovely marble fireplace with inlaid polychromatic tiles and blissfully, a real coal fire, above which is a large gilded mirror. There isn't a great deal of décor, save for some old local prints, one showing the pub's bomb damage. The picture windows are large, flanked by dark velvet swag curtains. A TV was spotted, off and music played at an agreeable level. There's food, but it seems to revolve around 'posh' burgers and fish 'n' chips. The lavs are to the rear and let the side down a bit in that they could really do with having some money spent on them. Customers were few in number but were generally younger incomers.
Staff were very friendly and efficient, bringing my pint of Tiny Rebel's Cwtch (£5.28!) to my table. Also available were Doom and Pride, along with Moor Brewing Co.'s Extra Special English Bitter at 5.3%.
I liked this pub a lot - it goes to show that along with the Florists and Camel, there really are some great pubs in E2 that should be included in a crawl, which I'd happily repeat.
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A return the other night, only to find the staff masked, protecting this vaccinated drinker, yet receiving no protection from me with no mask. This isn't company policy as the Shakespeare's staff weren't masked two days earlier.
The lavs have been done up over the last 11 months and the ale choice is now improved, still Pride and Cwtch though no Doom, but now also Landlord and Three Sods Vapour Trail at a reasonable £4.80 and lovely it was too.
This is still one of the best pubs in Tower Hamlets.
On 25th September 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1982 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about Approach Tavern
Corner pub with bar to the right rear. Long room to the right with a piano at the back. Five hand pumps, not of any great strength, but one strong cider. Not a bad pub.
On 17th September 2018
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Approach Tavern
A large Victorian pub with a central bar ,bare boarded floors and authentic wooden settles which breaks up the interior into informal booths,and a seating area which extends around both sides of the bar.There is also a large fireplace and photos on the walls of the pub over the years including when it suffered bomb damage in WW II.Fullers tie with London Pride,ESB,Discovery,Chiswick Bitter,"Gales" HSB,and a guest of Adnams Bitter.Ale quality was adequate but the focus here is the food which is surprisingly expensive given the area with many mains over £12 ,and only a few cheaper snack alternatives.The attractive interior is complemented by a large outside seating area under awnings in the front.On the first floor there is an occasional art gallery.More gastro than pub,but fine for a few pints and not far from the canal that runs along the boundary of Victoria Park.
On 16th September 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about Approach Tavern
Fairly large bare boarded pub.Single bar with a side seating area.Friendly staff.5 real ales on,mostly from Fuller's.Outside covered and heated drinking area.15 minutes from Bethnal Green tube station.
On 28th January 2007
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]