Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Random news of the day with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Tris C
Submitted on Wednesday, 22nd May 2013
With picture contributions to 2293 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (23 more images)
Detail Pages
The Virgin Queen, E2
E2
E2 8QY
Served areas
Reviews of The Virgin Queen (Average Rating: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Virgin Queen
One room with bar to the right rear. Also enclosed patio for diners. Just two weak real ales on offer - the rest keg.
On 19th September 2018
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Virgin Queen
Originally the Duke of Sussex, this pub was built in mock Tudorbethan style for West’s in the 1920s, a stone’s throw from their Three Crowns Brewery, long demolished and now the site of Hackney City Farm. There was once a West’s sign to the corner splay, but whether it’s still there, covered up, or gone for good, I don’t know.
As this is no longer a sports bar, we felt it safe to enter after so many passes over the years, on the pilgrimage to the Mecca of all things hipster: Broadway Market. The first thing which sets the alarm bells ringing are the Tudor rose etchings to some of the front window panes – surely this isn’t a Sam Smith’s pub? Rest assured, no. This is part of the consistently good Remarkable Pubs chain and whether you like it or not, the interior is remarkable and certainly original.
On entering, look up to the low, fibrous plasterwork moulded ceiling painted Royal blue, embellished with gold stars – it would look more at home in Hampton Court Palace or something designed in the 19th century by A. W. N. Pugin for St. Pancras Chambers. The walls are clad in dark field panelled wood with sconce lights. The floor is dark, modern and substantially covered in a sumptuous rug. Furniture is suitably Tudorbethan, with mock period embroidered upholstery; settles display Tudor rose motifs to their wings. However, it’s the bar front, back and real working grand fireplace that surprise. They look like they may have come from an old church or period rectory, with faces of people like saints at prayer. What’s not so remarkable is that they were specially commissioned for the pub – at huge expense – but what is remarkable is that they are fashioned from genuine reclaimed Elizabethan wood! Where once this pub had a garden, there’s a swanky glass conservatory. The main bar’s not that large, but there’s a sizeable dining room to the rear. Down some steps and there’s a subterranean function room, again with Tudorbethan fireplace – perhaps this is where unruly customers are shown the rack. Muted music comes courtesy not from a minstrel playing a lute, but is delivered by jukebox; there are no TVs.
A very friendly barmaid was serving up Fuller’s London Pride and Southern Star as well as Darkstar’s Hophead at a fairly pricey £2.30 a half, though on good form.
Plus points for the Darkstar, but The Virgin Queen needs a more adventurous ale choice than the Fuller’s offerings, though at least there was no Doom Bar. This is a must-visit if in Hackney and I’ll certainly return, not least because I have no wish to be executed on the grounds of recusancy.
On 3rd May 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Virgin Queen
An interesting pub, any football connections are now no longer evident, the interior walls are all covered in ornate wooden carvings as is the bar. The pub has gone down the gastro route but is still comfortable for drinkers as well. Three ales on, Pride, Gypsy Hill Anorak and Howling Hops Pale which was excellent. Quite a charming little pub complete with real fire,it is just the glass conservatory stuck on the side of the building was at odds with the rest of the pub and not particularly alluring, nice place all the same.
On 17th December 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
View more reviews of The Virgin Queen (8)
Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
- Official site of The Virgin Queen - www.thevirginqueenpub.co.uk
- Randomness Guide to London - Albion entry
- Facebook - The Virgin Queen
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Virgin Queen - whatpub.com
Hoxton, 0.65 miles, 12 min walk (show)
Haggerston, 0.82 miles, 15 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 17 November 2013 by Aqualung .
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 17 November 2013 by Aqualung .
- Beer Garden : No last updated 02 May 2018 by Tris C
- Car Park : No last updated 17 November 2013 by Aqualung .
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 17 November 2013 by Aqualung .
- Darts : Yes last updated 15 February 2023 by Tris C
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 17 November 2013 by Aqualung .
- Function Room : Yes last updated 02 May 2018 by Tris C
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 02 May 2018 by Tris C
- Jukebox : Yes last updated 02 May 2018 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No last updated 02 May 2018 by Tris C
- Live Music : No last updated 02 May 2018 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 02 May 2018 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 02 May 2018 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 02 May 2018 by Tris C
- Pool Table : Yes last updated 15 February 2023 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
- Real Cider : No last updated 17 November 2013 by Aqualung .
- Wheelchair Access : No - WCs downstairs. - last updated 02 May 2018 by Tris C
- WiFi : Yes last updated 02 May 2018 by Tris C
