skip nav  
 


Rose and Crown, Walthamstow

back to pub details

user reviews of the Rose and Crown, Walthamstow

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

A lovely traditional boozer, which my mate Simon, who knows the area, took me to. No poncy food, just good beer. I had an excellent pint of Eton and Windsor Guardsman, followed by a pint of Woodforde Wherry. Both pints were excellently kept. The pub features bands and, in the room upstairs, comedians. Sadly, this type of boozer is dying out: Blame the smoking ban, cheap supermarket booze and the preponderance of non-drinking Muslims in the area.
HornchurchJohn - 24 May 2018 16:32
Almost 6 years after my only previous visit to the Olde Rose & Crown, I returned yesterday evening, after a visit to the nearby Mirth, Marvel & Maud, which I will request to be added to the site. As is often the case, the Olde Rose & Crown wasn't quite as good as I remembered. The 6 ales were Daleside Monkey Wrench, Otter Ale, Moles Rucking Mole, Purity Ubu, Wantsum Dynamo & Shiny 4Wood. The solitary cider was Seacider Rhubarb. Although they do also have Addlestones on a handpump. There was a mobile truck outside the front door selling food, possibly crepes. Good pub and I'm sure I will be back. I'll keep my score as 8/10 for now.
blue_scrumpy - 14 May 2018 19:13
Excellent boozer. Loads of beer, plenty of space with ample tables and chairs even on a Friday night. Traditional interior but with a fresh, lively atmosphere and great music. I notice numerous CAMRA accolades and community events are held here so this pub is truly a local hub. I would have no problem spending the rest of my life locked in this pub.
Richard_ReadingFC - 13 Sep 2016 13:37
A cavernous joint that has hallmarks of a good community pub and mixes some of the old and new Walthamstow. A beer festival was on for our visit and was surprisingly thinly attended - really enjoyed my pint of the mighty Kelham from Sheffield.
BoehmBawerk - 31 Jan 2016 19:35
Decent beer - I had a good Acorn Brewery Porter - and new beers coming on tap during the course of a fairly quiet Wednesday evening.

The reason for the comparative low rating is that there were two guys - occupying the space immediately in front of the handpumps and who were determined not to move in spite of the obvious efforts of my friend and me to see what was available. The pub was comparatively empty and it's a long bar so they didn't need to stand there. Not sure if they were locals but it was offputting enough to make me buy my beer in the Nag's Head or King William IV next time I'm in Walthamstow.
wgandy - 19 Oct 2013 21:40
My first visit to this pub was at 10pm on a Wednesday evening.

I walked in and was immediately greeted by the sound of a live band playing I was both surprised and pleased, I didn't catch the bands name but they were good, playing a mix of old and new songs. Whether it was because of the band or just groups of friends meeting on Wednesday night the pub was very busy, the clientele is mixed but there's a great atmosphere.

6 pumps on that were dispensing Kelham Island, Atomic Blonde; Elland Brewery, Moonbeam Rider; Green Jack, Orange Wheat; Ilkley, Mary Jane IPA; Rooster, YPA and Streathavan, Midnight walk.

My 3 beers were Moonbeam Rider, YPA and Midnight Walk...all of them extremely well kept and excellent.

Outside the front is an Italian Pizza place with a full oven and chef cooking up delicious looking pizza's. There's were going down a storm (nearly everyone in the pub had one!) and is a fantastic idea for a pub that doesn't have food for sale.

A really good pub that is now on my "radar"...get yourself here I cannot praise this pub enough.
lezford - 4 Oct 2013 14:06
Oh dear, Buster1955, someone had clearly rattled your cage on 17 Oct! About as inaccurate a review of a pub as I've ever read, bearing no discernible relation to reality. Best pub in Walthamstow, and for several miles around. A real community local, and much more besides.
E17Bee - 4 Nov 2012 15:50
Terrible place frequented by all the tree hugging McGuffins who run their specialised events there and campaign HQ for saving the derelict cinema up the road. Almost impossible to win the Quiz as they only let a fellow McGuffin win.

Beer is generally OK except personally I do not rate the watery Brodies (sounds like a promotion for TV series Homeland) Too many lefty idiots with stupid looking glasses for my liking. Much better pubs around Hackney of which these are trying to emulate.
Buster1955 - 17 Oct 2012 10:46
After a brief stop at the ever-reliable Pembury Tavern in Hackney, I caught a train to Walthamstow to visit the Olde Rose & Crown. There's always one pub that catches me by surprise on any crawl I do and yesterday this was the one that easily surpassed my expectations. The pub has several CAMRA pub of the year awards for the East London area and I can see why. 6 ales were on - Kent Cobnut, Titanic Plum Porter, Hammerpot Red Hunter & Madgwick Gold, Summer Dream Elderflower Ale & Palmers Tally Ho. There were also 3 ciders - Thatchers Heritage, Millwhites Rum Cask and a new one for me - Pennypot Cider. The bar staff were friendly and professional. The interior is fairly large and it was reasonably busy with an obviously loyal clientele. Very impressed and I'm sure I'll be making a return visit. Easily the best pub in Walthamstow and I can't think of any better in East London, even the aforementioned Pembury.
blue_scrumpy - 9 Jul 2012 20:35
i went in this pub before it was taken over by the current landlord.Its been a major transformation pulling in the punters most nights with the live music & a range of ever changing ales. all good!
however what remains of the old days still needs to be rectified ie the toilets and the seat covers. My other comment would be someone to wipe the tables off on a regular basis.
All in all a nice pub i would happily recommend to anybody
stowman1889 - 8 May 2012 21:56
I was not impressed by the fact the staff had forgotten that we had booked a room for our function last Thursday 8/3/2012, so that when I enquired we were misdirected, and left waiting 30 mins before we found out where the function room was that we booked. In addition the room was cold and unfacilitated. On top of which the pub is proud of its Korean cooking yet was unable to offer any vegetarian options other than its �3.50 chips (at that rate I would expect to use them at the nearest casino). When I got served a pint, it tasted of detergent, so either the glass had not been rinsed or the pipes had not.
preeminent - 11 Mar 2012 12:04
Not been here since it became 'Ye Olde' but went yesterday because there was a beer festival on. Pleasant pub with pleasant staff and pleasant customers. will definitely return on a normal night to see how it is.
TiaMariaJim - 18 Sep 2011 14:07
Errrrr.....hang on, oftenscore6 - you can be a finalist without actually winning the final (that's how the Cup Final works, for example). Thus with the Rose in the years in question. So I don't quite see what your grouse is.
E17Bee - 5 Sep 2011 21:37
Bar staff were good, as was quality, though expensive. There were 5 beers on, though I can't believe it's the best range in London, particularly as there were 3 Northern blonde beers on at the same time, plus Hogs Back TEA and West End Bitter - nothing dark at all. What I didn't like is the misleading advertising outside this pub which implies that it was a finalist in the CAMRA pub of the year 2009 and 2010. They clearly know it wasn't as they make the point that they won the 2011 East London pub of the year - in fact they appear just to have been a losing finalist in that competition the 2 years before, a far cry from the national acclaim they purport to.
oftenscore6 - 21 Aug 2011 20:35
Well, I've been drinking in the Rose several times a week for over three years, and godson's waspish description is by no means an accurate reflection of what the place is really like. Compare his comments with the others on this site, consider the clutch of awards the place has picked up since the present regime took over (most recently East London CAMRA Pub of the Year) and draw your own conclusions.
E17Bee - 7 Jul 2011 12:29
The bar staff look down at you in this pub. Parents bought the pub for daughter, and she swans round like she is the Queen. Was in their over the winter, a disabled guy left so their friends held the door open. regulars and barstaff then proceeded to shout and scream at them for keeping the door open and being slow!

Expensive drink, walls, carpets, tables, not been cleaned since they bought the place.

Might now serve a selection of ales and attract the pretentious village crowd, but its still one to avoid, unless you like a pretentious crowd who pretend thye are not from walhamstow...
godson - 29 Jun 2011 21:43
The Rose and Crown serves the community extremely well these days. I think the Coppermill Tavern does too but that's another story.
The Rose management regularly serve a unique range of well kept real ales, unlike any other pub in London I've visited (and I've visited a few if you check my BITE entries). Maybe Brewer's Gold is a bit too main stream for these guys (nothing wrong with BG of course see Pride of Spitalfields E1, the Dove E8, Wenlock N1)
The Rose clientele puts me in mind of the Samuel Pepys, Mare Street in the late nineties. This pub is not cool, it's not upmarket but it is GOOD.
If I had to criticise it would be that the lighting in the main seems to make the place feel rather cold and drab.
Heading up there later.
danrkelly - 20 Jan 2011 17:44
This is possibly the best pub in Walthamstow. A caring attempt to be part of the community, reral ale,real people and real good.
captaincarrot - 8 Jan 2011 21:21
Dear ericthered

Thank you for you review as they are always helpful, we had already been aware of the temperature issue, as there was a problem with the cooler, which we have now resolved.

We have a number of regular ales (which include Adnams) Sharps Doom Bar, London Pride, Woodfordes Wherry. You will generally see these ales on but rotated every week.

We do hope that you are able to visit us again, at some point.

Thank you

Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Pub
YeOldeRoseandCrown - 27 Dec 2010 13:01
Trouble with this place is they keep the beer too cold, killing the taste of the ale. They could also do with having a decent regular beer rather than the insipid Adnams. That said, at least they are trying to provide a reasonable, if expensive place to drink in E17 so good luck to them.
ericthered - 21 Dec 2010 16:44
Easily the best pub in Walthamstow. Plenty of ales on in a spacious old style layout with a mixed clientelle. Worth the short stroll up from the station.
anonymous - 29 Aug 2010 10:22
Popped into this pub yesterday around 1pm for the first time in years and what a transformation! All the pointless clutter has been cleared away and what's left is a rather pleasant old pub with some proper ales on tap.

I was the only customer but as it's away up the hill from the station and the market I can believe that weekday early afternoons aren't their busiest time. Might pop back here one evening, see if it livens up at all but it was nice to be able to wander around and check out the decor.
blondini - 12 Jun 2010 08:56
A much better range of real ales on tap than on my previous visit, and reasonable prices too, but the gents toilet was well stinky!
DarkLordOfBarnet - 3 May 2010 16:42
Don't be put off by the cheesy 'Ye Olde Rose and Crown' signage.

We spent a nice Sunday afternoon here, tasting some of the beers they had on as part of the recent national Cask Ale week. (Current licensee has a Cask Marque, beer was well kept.)
jrguk - 29 Apr 2010 19:09
I believe the production of 'Sweeney Todd' in the theatre upstairs is sold out for it's entire run. Always friendly service, intriguing selection of ales and a pleasant reminder of the diverse pub seen of Hackney in 90's.
danrkelly - 22 Mar 2010 10:37
A friendly pub with very good beer quality what more can you ask for?
nutsaboutbeer - 23 Feb 2010 19:42
Enjoyed my first visit here tonight, to a Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign meeting. Brewers Gold made it a home from home.

PS The map locations shown on this page are misplaced. The pub is actually a little further north, next to Richards Place, opposite Greenleaf Road. Maybe someone can fix this.
trevorparsons - 11 Feb 2010 01:01
I'm staggered. I'd not set foot in the Rose and Crown for years until this evening. I honest can't think a time when I've seen such a transformation as dramatic, and for the better. Excellent choice of really good proper beer, friendly staff and customers, nice place to be - a really top notch honest local - nothing fancy and all the better for it. My new local for sure.
martingreaves - 8 Oct 2009 23:46
Nice pub with friendly staff and good beer. Friendly atmosphere and they make an effort with their jazz evenings, etc. A huge turnaround since I first visited about three years ago.
andy_E17 - 23 Aug 2009 19:20
On my first visit this past Tuesday we were treated to several pints of Brodie's IPA from the Sweet William Brewery at Baker's Arms. How much more local do you want your produce? There was also a little live jazz from some seniors, good service at the bar and I enjoyed both sitting outside and in the raised area by the windows. I shall return.
danrkelly - 16 Jul 2009 12:26
Has been totally turned around by the current management team. To go from a standing start to winning Cask Marque accreditation and East London/City Pub of the Year runners-up in 15 months is a remarkable achievement by anyone's standards. Best pub in the area.
E17Bee - 20 Jun 2009 13:47
Great range of beers and friendly customers and staff.
Glad to see the licensees are taking a bit of pride in the place, and particularly that they are monitoring what's said here and replying openly to criticism.
I think the decor needs warming up a bit - there are too many bare walls - and the whiteboard must go! It's not an office meeting room! Get a blackboard, for God's sake!
Support this pub - and check out their interesting range of live entertainment, quizzes, etc.
davidb - 13 Jun 2009 20:08
This is a nice friendly pub. The ale is well chosen and well priced and the bar staff friendly. Has a nice mix of people from all walks of life. Drink there!
walthamlab - 11 Feb 2009 21:13
This is a friendly pub with an excellent range of real ales. Particularly liked the stout they had recently. Even went back the next day for it but it was sold out. At last I have a decent alternative to walking to the Nags Head or the Plough Inn.
E17 - 2 Jan 2009 18:05
At last we have a local that's not full of meatheads (the Bell) or surly staff (Nags Head). We don't go to the pub very often, but it's nice to have somewhere nearby that's worth a visit now and again.

Now, if they'd ditch the San Miguel and replace with Peroni I'd be there more often.
pocketcalculator - 15 Dec 2008 11:16
We would like to apologise for the fact that we did not have real ale when you and others visited from mid-afternoon on Sunday. This was due to the fact a �Trade Union festival� that went through more ale than we anticipated.
We also had a delivery failure of ale which left us short.
Real ale is a live product and we cannot store a backlog or go out and purchase when we are short.
We do not stock Newcastle Brown Ale as there is not a demand for it, we do stock Whitbread Pale Ale.
We will have all three ale pumps on by Wednesday allowing for the ale to settle and undertake the second fermentation.
We do hope that you �DarkLordOfBarnet� find the time to pop in our pub again as we would like to show that this was just an unfortunate situation that will not be happening again.

Sorry for any disappointment we have caused to any of our customers we hope to see you all soon.

From Us at
Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub

YeOldeRoseandCrown - 13 Oct 2008 12:29
I was looking forward to sampling the real ales as advertised, but arrived to find they had none left. Not impressed. So I asked for a bottle of the old standby Newcastle Brown - they didn't have any of that either. I was reduced to having a couple of pints of keg John Smiths. It wasn't very nice and two pints was more than enough - it left a nasty taste in my mouth all the way home. It's a nice fairly traditional looking pub, but they didn't have any beer that I actually enjoyed drinking. I'm in no hurry to go back.
DarkLordOfBarnet - 12 Oct 2008 19:13
This pub is improving all the time as the new owners progressively sort it out. Beer quality is now consistently good, and the guest ale range changes all the time - reasonable prices too. More events and gigs etc are planned. At last Central W/stow has a really good pub - hurrah!
E17Bee - 27 Aug 2008 16:35
This is a much improved pub. Was astonished to find Crouch Vale Brewers Gold in a pub in Walthamstow. And it tasted like nectar!

I'm intrigued to see how far this pub can go and the theatre idea would add a bit of much needed culture to the area.

Watch out Nags Head!
mobygrape - 13 Jul 2008 22:29
Nice pub, if in the area well worth popping in. Cottage was the guest beer on when I went in recently and the staff were very pleasant.
Chunkyetti - 11 Jul 2008 11:17
A rapidly improving pub, since the new managers took over a couple of months ago. Decor has significantly improved and the loud televisions removed. An upstairs theatre has only just opened (I haven't visited yet). Beer is well kept, real ale and lager - which wasn't always the case under the previous incumbents. The new owners also talk of having other plans for a variety of entertainments. All-in-all a very promising prospect that anyone who knew it in the bad old days should revisit.
pjge - 2 Jun 2008 13:17
Thing's are going in the right direction if a little slowly. All the bric-a-brac that used to be a 'feature' has thankfully been consigned to the bin, or the cellar I believe. This has allowed the new landlords to clean off the 20+ years of dust that had accumulated and to give the place a coat of paint which is still ongoing. The place retains a rather odd smell which I assume is from the remaining furniture and carpets - reminds one of a rather stale museum. I gather that certainly the furniture will be sorted soon.

Gone are the TV screens - bringing an end to the football night madness that used to go on in the place and gone also at the moment is the sound system which means there's no more Kiss FM/MTV forced upon you at intolerable volumes either. I will miss neither.

I do hope this shift in format will bring enough custom to make the place a success because it's much more pleasant for someone who wants to enjoy a drink and a conversation without some of the intrusions and the 'characters' that used to frequent the place. The owners/bar staff seem very friendly and not the usual sullen crowd that seem to flit between this pub and the Bell.

Beer seems ok and not too expensive.


E17drinker - 23 May 2008 00:02
This pub continues to improve; good beer at very reasonable prices (�2 55 for Pride or Adnams!), very friendly staff and lots of plans in the pipeline. If I want to pop out for a quick one, I now drop in here rather than heading for the bus stop and going further afield.
E17Bee - 22 May 2008 21:49
Had a terrible pint of IPA in here. Tasted odd and was wrong temp. This pub has been going up and down more than Kerry Katona's knickers over the years. I doubt if it will take off again. The area has had a change of population over the years and a lot of the locals do not drink or cannot afford to. Good luck anyhow as I think you will need it!
offthewagon07 - 16 Apr 2008 21:07
Dropped in last night and was most encouraged. The horrible fake olde worlde decor has almost all gone, as has the incessant TV footie, and Adnams and Greene King IPA were on handpump in good nick at very reasonable prices. Friendly service, and the new owners obviously have major plans. Whisper it softly, but all the signs are that Central Walthamstow could at last be getting the really good pub it has lacked for so long.
E17Bee - 14 Apr 2008 16:42
Dear friends are now new part-owners, and if I know Viv & Bun (and Joanna in the pub theatre), things are really going to be humming! Well, we're going to be there for the official opening in late May, so I'll post again. But the latest comments are promising.
johnmorr - 7 Apr 2008 22:46
I hope you're right. I live 5 mins walk away and would happily drink in here regularly if it had consistently available & decent real ale. As it doesn't, I walk past it, get a bus from the bus stn and drink in the William IV in Leyton. Central W/stow badly needs a decent pub, and this could be it if the owners want it.
E17Bee - 2 Apr 2008 21:22
This pub has finally been taken over by someone who seems to have plans put a bit of care back in to the place. Most of the dusty, dirty tired decorations have been ripped out, they're about to decorate, the outside has already been started. They plan to bring in a theatre upstairs and the sports screens are gone.
And for the first time in ages .... a couple of hand pulled real ales were available. (They'd had these from time to time befoire but always seemed to be sold out).
Fingers crossed, it'd be good to have a decent pub this side of Walthamstow.
Kizzy161 - 30 Mar 2008 08:52
Visited the pub last weekend. It's a very big establishment, with nice people and a friendly atmosphere. You can enjoy a quiet drink, play pool, watch live sports or have a good time with various live entertainment.
DJJP48 - 25 Feb 2008 23:42
I don't know what all these other comments are about but when I went in this place the other day I could'nt work out who was who! Staff or customers. There was a lady behind the bar worse for wear for sure but I don't know if she was the Manager as if she was she did not correct the horrible service I received when I asked about the real ales on offer. I was asked 'what do you mean?' There was'nt any so I had Guiness which was ok. I tried to enjoy my pint but had a crossfire of banter between people from behind the bar and around the public area. Swearing and drunking nonsensical purile exchanges. What a horrible place this is. Big place without atmosphere. What is it about these London Pubs? There are loads in this area and there never seems to be any leadership in them. When I left after my pint, not a word of thanks or goodbye, even though I did say this to them. No wonder the place was practically empty. I will not be going there again in a hurry!
offthewagon07 - 16 Nov 2007 10:26
My my �Anonymous 8th August 2007� you do seem to have a �bee in your bonnet� about the Landlady!

How about this for a novel idea? If you don�t like her then don�t go in the Rose & Crown?

Maybe that would help you get over whatever grudge you have against her?



I couldn�t possibly comment on this lady�s alleged behaviour in the past, however I can comment on what I have seen in the past few months and that is the landlady appears to possess a bubbly, welcoming personality which is obviously drawing in a nice varied clientele to this establishment!!



To the landlady of the Rose & Crown I bid you good luck in your venture and �don�t let the bugger�s get you down�!


Kiara - 12 Nov 2007 18:26
Hello,

Whoever is the annoymous person who keeps leaving comments on The Bell & The Rose & Crown can they own up please as my name has been dragged into this.

Thank You!
Ash1979 - 15 Aug 2007 13:12
well what can I say i hope the manager does a better job here than she did at the bell with her outrageous drunken behaviour!! she drove people out of the bell to the rose I only wonder if she will do the same drive them back to the bell!!! will say it is alot cleaner lets hope the attitude is alot cleaner now!! shame about the outdoor seating!!
anonymous - 8 Aug 2007 15:11
Real Ale can hardly be compared to bread in a bakery. Get a grip ! Pubs sell alcohol! The world doesn't revolve around real ale !I quite liked this place. It looks a lot cleaner. It is a bit quite but I think they only reopened it a couple of weeks ago. It has real potential to be a great place. I hope it works out.
anonymous - 4 Aug 2007 13:48
Went in the other night and found all the real ales off. On enquiry was told they'd be on in a fortnight. A FORTNIGHT? Would you open a bakers and tell your punters there'd be no bread for two weeks? I don't think so. No excuse.
E17Bee - 3 Aug 2007 21:12
Hmmh rather interesting comments from 'anonymous'??
Must say I was also there on the 21st July (when the pub re-opened) and I was a bit dubious about what to expect of the Rose & Crown but I must say I was rather impressed to see that some effort had been put into the place a long last!!

It was apparant that a well desreved clean up of the interior had taken place! (however it is also apparant that like some other landmark pubs in the area it does require a refurb!!)
I found the bar staff were pleasent and on the whole the atmosphere was pleasent and relaxed. Its early days for the Rose & Crown so if your in the area maybe you should pop in to see what you think for yourself?

Oh and response to 'anonymous's comments just out of curiosity are you the same person who posted the reviews about the Bell in Walthamstow on the 16th June 2006 & 16th July 2007?
Kiara - 29 Jul 2007 15:05
Oh god just went in last night and discovered that this institution of walthamstow has now been taken over by the ex landlady of the Bell, just up the road. She had a real reputation for insulting her customers there while hanging off the end of the bar drunk most nights with an array of here friends that seemed to only hang around her for the free drinks she seemed to dish out to them.

Oh well whats happening to Walthamstow??? Won't be going back to the Rose for some time now, will stick to the Bell... at least I won't get insulted and won't have to feel sorry for the people that get insulted and those poor sods that have to carry her out every night.
anonymous - 22 Jul 2007 16:47
The Mcguffins Film Quiz here( on the first Saturday of every month)is an absolute institution.The pub itself just seems to get shabbier, and the only real beer last weekend was an undistinguished London Pride.
georgekaplan - 8 Jun 2007 09:17
I agree with the other comments, this has the potential to be a really decent little drinking establishment if someone is willing to put the time and money into it. And crikey does Walthamstow need it!
boozykat - 13 May 2007 21:22
I noticed this has a 'Business To Let' sign outside it now so if you're an aspiring landlord/lady with a bit of good taste then please, for Walthamstow's sake, have a look at this place - it's a local landmark, smack bang in the middle of Hoe St. Blinding potential. Just rip out the god-awful interior, get a good menu going (i assume they have an adequate kitchen as they used to offer Thai, Italian and English fare), tart it up a bit and with a bit of savvy this place could give every other pub in E17 a run for it's money.
adeybaby2001 - 19 Mar 2007 16:21
Walthamstows premier Wars of the Roses themed pub. Beer can be hit and miss but its pretty good. Not sure whats going on with the opening hours though.
WalthamstowBlade - 27 Feb 2007 16:28
I ventured down here yesterday to watch the cup final (Arsenal and Chelsea) only to find it closed with a note on the door saying something about a 'technical problem' - what's all that about?? It's a pub, how technical does it get? This is my local. All i wanted was a short stroll, a few pints of Guiness and a bit of footie on a Sunday afternoon but oh no - Walthamstow's answer to the tower of london has gone all glithcy. Thanks.
I ended up in The Queen's Head surrounded by Chelsea gobshites.
adeybaby2001 - 26 Feb 2007 18:47
I know; the apparent change of policy lasted about a week. Seems to be linked with the Bell in some way, as the R&C opened on New Year's Eve till 7, then the Bell opened 7 till late. Why oh why can't we have one really decent pub in Central W/stow, instead of having to get a bus down to Leyton?
E17Bee - 24 Jan 2007 17:40
WOW! What a transformation!! This place looks great with new tasteful decor, loads of comfy seating and nice fixtures - not to mention the new wide range of beers and food selection.............not really, it's still the same old tacky tower-of-london-themed cess-pit it always was. Shame really because it's a really nice building from the outside.
Sort it out!!
adeybaby2001 - 8 Jan 2007 23:17
Reopened just before Christmas, though still has "To Let" signs up. New management advertised Christmas Eve as traditional family night with mulled wine & no loud DJs, and real ale is back on (Adnams & London Pride) so they seem to be making an effort. I hope they succeed; Hoe St & central W/stow need an alternative to footie pubs with blaring TVs and loud music. Nothing wrong with that in itself, but sometimes you fancy a change.
E17Bee - 27 Dec 2006 19:42
Currently closed for no known reason. This morning, looked like squatters had moved in.
E17Bee - 29 Nov 2006 20:07
Very unusual boozer, possibly one of the only medievil themed pubs in the country, which clearly was done some time ago. The place is grotty, the beer was poor, although the service wasnt. I went on a Saturday night and it was dead, so dont go here if you want atmosphere. Like patrickjsm says, pop in have a look, leave.
trickydisco - 13 Oct 2006 16:03
Staff are bad, beer is bad and the last time I went the whole place stank of urine. The only redeeming feature were the crossbows on the wall. Pop in for a look by all means, but buy nothing and hold your nose.
patrickjsm - 6 Sep 2006 04:46
Dont be scared to go in this pub. Looks pretty dodgy from the outside but is actually pretty good and very friendly. Does Thai food, typically, which is actually very good. Selection of ale is very poor, although it is pretty cheap so cant complain too much
Banner - 2 Aug 2006 14:26
Good Thai food, and not expensive either. Couple of pool tables, a few screens for the football. Not a bad place.
jamie_f - 26 May 2006 17:17
The beer is average but the pub is dirty and the service slow. We only go here for the folk club but haven't even been there for that since it changed to Sundays.
anonymous - 14 Mar 2006 17:21
Beer OK (usually London Pride & Adnams). Folk club upstairs Sundays, but arcane council rules mean you have to register as a member 48 hrs before you want to go. Never encountered bad country music; more usually bad rap/dance music playing obtrusively loud. One of worst Gents toilets I've ever encountered. Two cubicles, neither with a toilet seat, and one without a door. Door of other one doesn't bolt. No excuse for such disgusting facilities in this day & age.
E17Bee - 29 Dec 2005 16:41
Crap pub. Play really bad country music as soon as the football is finished. Can anyone in that pub pour a Guiness.........don't bother as they have no idea.
Although the bar is big they only serve on one side and have no idea when it is busy.

Would not go out of my way to go to this pub. Best walking down the road to The Bell.
anonymous - 27 Nov 2005 16:22
mingey pub this one,crap food very average beer and non too friendly natives except for the ginger copper reeling around,nice to see a copper when you need one, cute too
nigel kelly - 11 Oct 2004 16:39
As per the previous comments the food in here really is bad. I had to eat a whole rack of scampi fries just to get the taste out of my mouth. This may explain why I am having no luck with the sexy barman.
Kathy Molloy - 7 Oct 2004 12:34
That barman is sexy and he pulls a good pint of fosters cold. Good choice of beers here but the food is pretty bad. Nice picture of Thomas More on the wall.
John Mannion - 6 Oct 2004 16:53
Nice sexy barman. The cold Fosters is a must , but I have to lay off it know as the baby's due. See you in six months.
Kathy - 6 Oct 2004 08:20
Apart from the tall one who sits in the corner looking like old bill, not bad place.
Food is awful, but then, I am from Queensland!
Steve - 28 Sep 2004 20:14

got anything to say about this pub?

Please read our reviews policy before posting.
Only registered users can post reviews. Please log in. If you don't have an account yet, register here.