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Detail Pages
The Elderfield, E5
E5
E5 0LF
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Elderfield
The Priory Tavern until 2007, this is situated in a rather gentrified part of Clapton, and is quite a plain-looking mid-19th century corner pub featuring a large Charrington’s Toby plaque. However, inside it has an absolutely fabulous semi-Art Deco refit dating from 1935, listed on CAMRA’s inventory of interiors of Regional Interest, and can be best appreciated on the pub’s website’s gallery.
The floor by the bar is either herringbone or crisscross ‘finger’ parquet with a ceramic bar apron. The bar itself has a red lino top with front panels and a seductive curve into the lounge bar with a parapet that’s somewhat Art Deco. The colour scheme is best described as ‘wasabi’ with subtle white Artex above the panelling and ceiling. The lounge has a fine recessed circular light feature which wouldn’t look out of place in a ballroom. However, the most striking feature is the ridged three-quarter-height wood panelling, looking like a 1930s’ take on linenfold (though sadly painted in the saloon bar), with radiators that have wood lattice covers to disguise them (see photo); it looks fantastic as do the veneered doors to the lavatories, which have genders listed above in raised metal Art Deco lettering. There’s a fireplace in the lounge which has an Art Deco mantelpiece and azure tiled surround. Illumination comes from some loosely Art Deco ‘shell’ uplighters above the panelling along with tassel shaded table lamps to windowsills and similar standard lamps. Furniture comes in the form of some old school tables as well as normal chairs and a sofa with coffee table. There’s little décor aside from some potted palms and 1930s’ mirrors.
Segregated behind ugly and unnecessary Perspex screens which made ordering like a trip to the bank, efficient bar staff were dishing out either Gloom Bore, Harvey’s Sussex Best and TT Landlord at the extraordinary price of £4.45 which in these times is cheap; it was on great form too.
This is a totally cracking pub, the interior being an absolute breath of fresh air. I would have no trouble spending an evening in here as it’s one of the nicest places to spend time in the borough of Hackney, let alone Clapton.
On 27th August 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Elderfield
This pub is on CAMRA's London Inventory of pubs with historic interiors. It’s nowhere near as magnificently appointed as many other pubs on the Inventory, but the most unusual vertical wood panelling on the walls in the room on the right is an attractive, almost art deco, feature. There is another room reached via and archway to the left of the room mentioned above. This is a much plainer, and larger, room than the other, but is similarly furnished with normal tables and chairs and, perhaps more importantly, is where the handpumps are located.
The ales on when I was in last week were London Pride, Doom Bar, Adnam’s Broadside, Timothy Taylor Landlord, and Harvey’s Sussex Best. This is hardly an inspiring selection, bearing in mind that this pub is located in an area chock-a-block with microbreweries producing some excellent ales, but it is a functional selection nonetheless, although the beers are all in the same style. There was also a draught cider, but I failed to make a note of what it was. I didn’t notice any food (this was my tenth pub of the day so maybe I wasn’t concentrating), but I would be surprised if they didn’t do any.
This pub had a fairly young, apparently well-heeled, crowd in. The ale selection is “OK”, and I liked this place as a pub. I would visit again.
On 21st April 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about Priory Tavern
This pub changed its name to The Eclipse but because of a problem it is going to change its name again, but at the moment it is not known what to
On 17th July 2007
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]