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Chat about:
Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Gun, E14
E14
E14 9NS
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Gun
Dating in some form from the early 18th century, this was originally the King & Queen, the current name arriving in 1771.
It’s a bit of a walk from Canary Wharf tube, now nestled in an enclave of Wendy House-style homes, where once it would have been a dockers’ pub overlooking the Thames. The interior is contemporary, with bare boarded floor, white and smoky blue colour scheme. Furniture is traditional or tall, with tables laid for dining to the left, then an attractive rear snug. The main focal point is the carved wood bar array (see photo) with polychromatic inlaid tiles, décor on display in the form of old firearms, pewterware and photos of the area from yesteryear. Customers were young professional types who probably work locally; either that or they are students from the University of Greenwich.
A predictable Fuller’s ale lineup amounted to ESB, Pride, Hophead and Dark Star’s APA at a very steep £6.10 a pint and on fine form, served by a friendly barman.
As mentioned by Moby, this is a very foodie place which manages to offer a decent pub experience alongside, which is not the case at Fuller’s tiresome Pilot, almost visible across the water in SE10.
On 14th November 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Moby Duck left this review about The Gun
A nice looking riverside pub that now leans toward the gastro side of things but still works well as a drinking pub also. A Fullers pub with the normal range of beers plus a couple of guests including a Tiny Rebel Stout.
Certainly worth the walk from the Canary Wharf tube for a pint or two.
On 1st May 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Gun
A historic Fullers tied house,Nelson lived closeby and carried on with Emma Hamilton upstairs.There is a large plate glass window at the front with on the right side a series of copper topped tables,the bar and through a side corridor a rear snug with it's own bar access.To the left side is a restaurant section with all tables laid with white linen table clothes.The menu is expensive with mains starting at £14 and rising to £27 with steaks extra.I didn't eat so wont comment further.
There is a beer garden on some decking with river views,and the reference to the pub being involved in smuggling in the past seems believable.
The bar supports 6 handpumps offering Fullers London Pride,Olivers Island,a seasonal rugby special and Dark Star American Pale Ale on my trip.
A pleasant and interesting spot ,there are few traditional pubs in this area,but perhaps not a place for a long session,more a one pint peruse.
On 29th February 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Gun
Historic riverside pub associated with Lord Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton, almost destroyed by fire in 2001 but thankfully reopened a few years later after a sensitive restoration. Retains a traditional-looking bar, but most of the front part operates as an upmarket restaurant with the tables set aside for dining. The rear room is comfortably furnished, with doors leading to the famous part-covered terrace overlooking the Thames. Also features several upstairs rooms (not visited). Four real ales on handpump, with three from Fuller's - Pride, Oliver's Island and Front Row - plus Zinzan's Drop from Windsor & Eton as a guest on this visit.
On 11th March 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Gun
I paid my first visit to this pub for a couple of years, and found it essentially unchanged. There is a sign on the main road pointing to a “riverside pub”, but that it is a bit deceptive as the main business of this pub looks to be the restaurant. As you enter you are in the main restaurant area with all the tables on the left reserved for diners, and with just a couple of tables on the right that can be used by those just wanting a drink. But a door to the right of the bar counter leads to another small room, which in turn leads on to yet another room with a sort of gentleman’s club feel to it. There is an outside terrace at the back overlooking the river and over to the O2 arena. So, although the main room is effectively a restaurant, there is more seating for drinkers tucked away at the back.
I didn’t get to see the main restaurant menu, but the bar food menu gave me a clue as to what to expect, featuring Colchester rock oysters at £36 for 18. I saw a sign by the window advertising a free taxi service from Canary Wharf, which is a clear indicator of the market they are aiming for. However they do offer e reasonable ale selection, with Sambrook Junction (£2 for a half), Adnam’s Southwold Bitter, and Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted on. There was also a reversed clip for Otter Amber on a fourth pump. The ale selection is pretty good, even if at London gastropub prices.
What I do like about this pub is the decor and features in the main restaurant area. The impressive bar back and bar counter look like original features, and the numerous nautically themed paintings are also impressive features. I also spotted an old black and white photograph of two naval gunners operating their artillery piece – the photograph I recognised as the one used in the tile picture at one time in The Clarence Arms, Woolwich. Long gone now, of course. This looks like a good place to eat if you’re in the mood for splashing out on a meal, but although it has some interesting nooks for drinkers, it’s not really “pubby” enough for me to want to spend an evening in. But that’s just my opinion – I am sure that others will love it.
On 2nd September 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Gun
Takes a bit of finding, located at the corner of a narrow cobbled street lined with Victorian houses that have survived the Luftwaffe and redevelopment. The exterior looks nice, with a large hanging cannon acting as the pub sign. The interior I clean and smart; the bar is straight in front of you as you enter, though it becomes swiftly apparent that things are heavily slanted towards eating (overpriced Portuguese gubbins seems to be a speciality), with the drinking area further back (check out the large old whiskey barrels on the way) leading onto the Big Selling Point, the rear patio garden which overlooks the Thames and has great views of the Dome and nascent Olympic area. Three ales, Adnams Bitter, Broadside and London Pride available at an eye-watering £3.60pp. The staff were a bit cloth-eared, as my order of a half got turned into a pint. Mind you, the quality of the beer was good, so no complaints there and the pub has been GBG listed in past. Clientele were boorish wannabe City types who ticked many a stereotype box.
It certainly has selling points but isn’t one I’d say was worth the special effort to sample.
On 30th October 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Gun
Excellent pub over the water from 02, and there are great views from the terrace over the river.
Theres a bit of history given outside, referring to a pub being here for a long time but having to be redesigned after a fire a few years ago. Its kind of between Canary Wharf and Limehouse and East India, but its well hidden down a street of new flats, but well worth the find.
Bare boards, light and airy, you expect the bar staff to be wearing aprons, there is a large bar as you walk in & its that bare wood feel throughout. Its probably a little trendy and the food is expensive, but it has a very nice feel to it.
beer quality is ok, it serves 3-4 Adnams ales.
On 15th June 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]