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Chat about:
Disappointment of the week with Pubsignman
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Image posted by Bucking Fastard
Submitted on Friday, 22nd August 2014
With picture contributions to 1482 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Galvanisers Union, Bromley-By-Bow, E3
E3
E3 3LL
Served areas
Galvanisers Union
Oh hey, fancy meeting you here
12:08 PM Mar 23rd 2023 from Twitter for iPhone
Reviews of The Galvanisers Union (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Galvanisers Union
Just a short distance from Bromley-by-Bow tube station, this is an old estate pub built into the ground floor of a block of flats, but now given a contemporary makeover by the Antic pub chain. The pub was previously known as the Duke of Wellington and this becomes partly evident on arrival, with doorways signed for the Wellington Lounge and Saloon Bar. Only the latter door seemed to be in operation, so I made my way inside to find a large, bare concrete floored room with a nice curved bar counter to the left. The usual mix of Antic recycled furniture was very much on show here, with armchairs under the front windows, sofas in the mid section, standard tables and chairs further back and some unmissable lime green banquettes on the back wall underneath some equally unlovable floral wallpaper. The room's centrepiece is an incredibly long and well used workbench complete with old vice clamps and a lifetime's stains and gouges. High stools line this bench and there was a TV screen above showing live coverage from the final day of the Olympic Games, whilst elsewhere a few enamel advertisements and paintings were displayed, but the usual Antic excesses had been reigned in a bit on this front. A door to the right leads out to a small gravel garden to the side of the pub which offered some picnic benches and views of the busy roads around the building. The Wellington Lounge is accessed by passing the far end of the bar, where a connecting passage leads you through to a sizeable space with plenty more seating, an open kitchen and a table football game. Music played quietly in the background and was accompanied by a yappy and highly energetic puppy tied to one of the tables. Hot food is available from the usual selective Antic menu, but of more appeal were the sausage rolls on the end of the bar counter.
An early Saturday afternoon visit saw Fallen New World Odyssey and Animal Brewing Pukelo available alongside two real ciders and a turned clip for Volden Pale. Keg beers from Beavertown, Lagunitas and a few other interesting breweries rounded out the selection. I enjoyed an excellent pint of the Pukelo (£3.80) but was a bit miffed when the barman took my four pound coins, put them in the till and then vanished without giving me my change. A genuine mistake I'm sure, but not a great first impression.
I've found that by and large, Antic do a pretty good job when it comes to this sort of pub recovery operation and this place was no exception. I liked the feel of the main bar and was impressed with the quality of my pint, which probably tastes all the better when you consider the lack of good beer in the neighbourhood. The pub also makes a good, crowd-free meet up venue for football fans visiting West Ham's new ground, which is a pleasant 20 minute canal side stroll away.
On 8th September 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Galvanisers Union
Rather unobtrusively housed under a dull housing block, this pub was re-opened earlier in 2014 by Antic London. It features a 'L'-shaped saloon bar and the separate Wellington Lounge which is now a dining area. Partly refurbished in a 'distressed' style, with a few wooden benches out front. Nice relaxed atmosphere. Five of six handpumps working on this visit, with the regular Doom Bar supplemented by Adnams Lighthouse, Truman's Bold as Brass (in good form) and two ciders. Also has various craft keg offerings and a decent selection of bottled beers. Well worth seeking out.
On 21st December 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Galvanisers Union
There were four ales on here – Adnam’s Mosaic, Sharp’s Doom Bar and Cornish Coaster (on special offer at £3 a pint) and South Town (£1.95 a half) which is an Adnam’s and Camden Brewery collaboration. The kitchen’s not in operation yet, but I’m sure soon will be, and in the meantime it’s Scotch eggs or pork pies at £2.50 a pop.
This used to be The Duke of Wellington, but is now the latest addition to Antic’s ever changing portfolio of London pubs. Being an Antic pub it’s very much work in progress. Most pubcos opening a new venture would paint it from top to bottom, re-furnish it throughout, paint the outside including some signage and then open for business. But not Antic – they get in some old second hand furniture and bizarre knick knacks, put some beer on and – hey presto – open for business. I guess it works though. This one’s got no signage as yet and much of the interior is in need of some care and attention – but with Antic you never know when they’ll regard it as a finished job. The most unusual feature in here has to be the 12’ long solid workbench doing duty as a massive table that has clearly seen a lot of use over the years. I wouldn’t have wanted to be one of the poor sods who had to hump that thing into the pub. It now has little sprigs of flowers on it, which look a bit incongruous on a battle scarred workbench.
Despite the fact that you never know how long their pubs are going to last, I reckon that Antic are something of a breath of fresh air on the London pub scene. If I lived around this area I would definitely give this pub my custom.
On 19th April 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
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- Official site of The Galvanisers Union - www.galvanisersunion.com
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- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Galvanisers Union - whatpub.com
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 08 September 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 08 September 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 08 September 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Car Park : No last updated 08 September 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 08 September 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 08 September 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Live Music : Yes last updated 08 September 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 08 September 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Micropub : No last updated 08 September 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Quiz Night : Yes last updated 08 September 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 19 April 2014 by Rex Rattus
- WiFi : Yes last updated 08 September 2016 by Pub SignMan
