please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
there is a beer festival with up to 10 real ales going on the pumps over the course of the day on Sat July 25th.
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I have been using this Pub for over 6 years and the beer , music and management has been consistently excellent - well done and the recent award is well deserved .
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Just voted SPBW pub of the year. Great community pub with top class staff and beer.
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Must be the best pub in E3. Frankie the most genial of mine hosts, great repartee from the regulars at the bar but all (decent) new faces made welcome. A genuine community pub with really well kept beers.
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I moved to the area over 3 years ago and decided after a few months to wander in to the Eleanor Arms.
It was a bit nerve racking to start but I was pleasantly surprised when the all locals made me feel welcome straight away and, I'd like to think now that I'm a local, I'd do the same.
The El has such a great vibe and with Frankie's extensive knowledge of music, his "Minestrone of Sound" gig on Saturday nights, really gets everyone singing and now with The Old Ford Jazz Club happening every Sunday, there's never a dull moment.
While I'm not a beer drinker, the regulars love the ales they have on, with Kents Best being a popular choice. They also have a regular selection of guest ales, which always hit the spot. If you prefer wine, they have a great list and all well priced. The house red is a smooth Merlot & the white a really great Sav Blanc.
The hidden beer garden is a gem in summer & is just a hive of banter and laughter and with nice cold cider on tap, makes for a great sunny Sunday afternoon hang out with your mates. Winter brings out the collection of games including my favourite, Shut The Box that is very addictive.
If you just want to chill out & read a book or have a fun night out, The El is your place. The hospitality is one in a million and I'm proud to call this pub my local. Do yourself a favour and head on down to The El.
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The Eleanor has just added to it's range of traditional games.Bar Skittles
Also known as Indoor Skittles or Bar Skittles, this is one of the most popular indoor pub games. Just like full alley skittles, each player has three attempts to knock down the skittles but in this space-saving version, the ball is swung around a pole toppling the skittles upon its return. A game of great skill for serious pub competition or just good old fashioned fun.
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The Eleanor Arms will be closed for a private party from 3pm on February 16th.
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I was a little disappointed by the Eleanor Arms. I've always seen it rated quite highly on here and it regularly has advertisements in the London Drinker. Make no mistakes, this is a nice little pub. But it didn't quite live up to its reputation. Inside is basically 2 rooms with a narrower area to the side of the bar separating the 2 areas. Most people were crowded into the rear area during our visit, where the Wimbledon final was being shown. Beers on were Shepherd Neame Kents Best & Canterbury Jack, plus Batemans Summer Swallow. Thatchers Heritage was the cider.
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Excellent community pub, a real asset. Very welcoming to a stranger like me, good atmosphere and well decorated. Plenty of seating areas and garden. 3 Shepherd Neame beers and real cider. My Spitfire was in very good nick; nice to see it being properly pulled through (I was first in on a miserably damp lunchtime)
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Good company, great beer and a warm welcome.
This truly is a very special little pub.
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There will be a special ale from Shepherd Neame on sale for St. Georges Day ~ Dragonfir.
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The Eleanor Arms will be stocking the entire range of Shepherd Neame Cak Ales from next week. In rotation that is!
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The Eleanor Arms will be closed to the general public on Saturday 30th from 5pm due to a ticket only event taking place.
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Mini beer festival starting next weekend, 3 guests supplied by Sheps. Hook Norton Gold, Hogs Back Tea & Hydes Original.
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nice boozer but why is it whenever i go in there there is never more than 3 people in it-how can they make money?
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nice decent civilised boozer
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My first visit to this pub today, and it didn't disappoint. Lovely place with a guv'nor who knows what he's talking about. We discussed beer and whisky, on which subjects he was clearly an enthusiast, and he had a good chat with my good buddy Otto about punk, even taking the time to look up stuff on his lap-top. OK, it was a quiet afternoon, but even so it shows a level of friendliness I need to experience more often. The decor was great too: shows how estate pubs weren't necessarily as soulless as the name implies. Very clean and well looked after. I shall in future make a point of dividing my drinking time between the Sun and the Eleanor.
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bowhammer is full of... something bitter. Probably down to having been booted out of the pub at one point or another. One of the reasons this pub is good is they have the common sense to keep out the riff raff, unlike other local pubs who have soon after come to a timely demise. The Eleanor Arms is one of the best pubs in Bow and as a local and regular it is my pub of choice. I am soon to be moving out of the area but am sure I will still pop over the river to frequent these premises.
It's good points:
Friendly staff, stash of games, friendly locals, cosy fire, good baguettes, nice range of decent drinks, chocolate at the bar, animal friendly (within reason), bike friendly, fun quiz, pool table, next to the park.
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I am intrigued by the idiot who seems to have a problem with this pub. I am sure you've been rightly thrown out for your abuse and stupidity. This is a pub for cool local people and cool people generally. I first moved to East London 3 years ago and having no glasses, I went to the closest pub. The landlord and landlady kindly helped me out and ever since then, they have always gone the extra mile to help out!
The music is amazing and cool little concerts take place in this gem of a pub. When I walk in, the staff know my name and know I'd like a delicious Asahi on tap ! The crowd varies a lot and you meet all sort of interesting people: English or not ! For example, I am a frog and had the best time on St George's day there which shows how open-minded and welcoming this pub is. And did I mention the ales ? !
To reply to Bow-hammer : the reason why so many people posted positive reviews on this site after your bad comments is because people actually care about this pub. And it's not 9 punters, it's an entire community you're insulting. In a way, I am glad you don't like the Eleanor's: it means I will never have to meet you there.
So for all of you outhere: you like good beer/ale, you like jazz or want to (re-)discover the greatest classic/less classic rock tunes of the 60's-70's right up to our day and age? You just want a quiet beer in a charming pub? : you can have all this at the Eleanor! I might meet you there !
The Eastend Frog.
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The Eleanor also holds the following records.
Most dogs sleeping under tables (12).
Most flies on one window (371)
Roughest toilet paper (Daily mail)
Biggest slant on pool table(3ins)
Longest log (17ins)
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I moved onto Old Ford Road 18 months ago, and wandered into the Elly for a thirst quencher on the day I moved in, since then that pub has become the place I am proud to call my local. It feels like a proper pub, where the ales are good, the staff remember you and you are treated well. Other plus points include Asahi on tap, the eclectic music, and the fact that the landlord always has a good story to tell.
This pub really is something special in my opinion and I have brought many friends here all of whom have been surprised at this gem of a place.
I'm not one for getting into slanging matches online but I'd like to thank bowhammer for pointing out that since their poor review the customers of the Elly have made the effort to support their beloved pub after being told of what was posted. The regulars are such a mixed bunch of people that to me, the fact that some of them have made the effort to come and refute your claims is testament to the quality of the pub and the staff.
I would like to finish this off by pointing out that everyone is entitled to their view and if you don't like the place you're welcome to choose to go somewhere else... it just leaves more of the tasty ale and comfy sofa for the rest of us!!
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Goes to show what a fictitious load of shite this pub is, prior to my last review the were 3 reviews in as many months, I post a bad review and all of a sudden 9 people randomly decide reviews, one after the other.
Do you think people are stupid? You'd have been lucky to have had 9 customers in the last week. It goes to show your good reviews are not genuine and the score is bogus. Aswell as your pub being shit
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Congratulations Eleanor on your recent awards.
Most slops served in one hour (Seven trays)
Ugliest barmaid (Agnes two-heads)
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Without a doubt the friendliest pub in London and I have been in quite a few. Great beer, great music and most importantly great hosts. When I lived in Bow this was my local, and there is a reason I now travel a long way across London simply to drink there - because you don't find atmosphere like this in many places. It truly is a special place.
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The Eleanor Arms is everything a good pub should be, welcoming and hospitable, and a difficult place to leave once you've entered, so good is the atmosphere, friendly the staff, and uplifting the music.
Possibly my favourite pub in London
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Whenever I am in Bow this is the pub for me. Love the music, love the atmosphere just love the Ministrone of Sound - great place to unwind on a Friday night.
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My favourite pub in London. Been drinking here now for 3 or 4 years.. There s not many east end pubs left where you can enjoy a perfectly served beer in good company. Its got character, charm and warmth and thats just the landlord Frankie ;-).
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Went in on a cold winter night and the music made the night. I had never before heard a Graham Parker and the Rumour, Duffy, and Count Basie spun by the same DJ. It is little things like this that bring me back.
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The Eleanor Arms is THE BEST! A great selection of beers, excellent sandwiches, and amazing hospitality.
You will always feel welcome.
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A great pub, i have visited a number of times and have always been warmly welcomed by all the staff,
The real ale is always in tip top shape which is something hard to find these days!
The atmosphere is very comfortable.
Im looking forward for my next visit
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not only the best east end pub (innit), the eleanor is the best london pub. warmth greets as you walk in. the music always shines. welcome greetings abound. a short walk from victoria park, vitually under the rim of the olympic stadium and with a spacious beer garden warm weather will draw one to this friendly environ.
a great beer selection, a tasty and affordable sandwich menu and heart felt hospitality proves the great british pub is not dead, but thriving in the east end. visit and enjoy.
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something seems strange regarding this pub, and that is how it seems to get such rave reviews on this sight.
I have been in there at 3 times in the last 6 or 7 months. Every time it was dull, drab and boring. The most people I've seen in a visit was 6 customers.
The pub its self is a tatty 1930's estate pub complete with a fried chicken shop attached. Inside there is a nice beer garden and pool table.
The beer is out of this world, well the price is. A standard larger is �2.80 in the cardigan, a similar amount in the Lord Morpeth and slightly more in the Albert. However in here the price is closer to the �4 mark. Maybe this is why they have no customers.
the management remind me of Noel Endmunds on Deal or No Deal, slithering around the pub striking up unnecessary small talk, even if you having a private conversation. No thanks mate leave me alone.
If your down the Old Ford Road try the Morpeth, it has a better interior and exterior, better punters and live entertainment.
This is the worst pub in the area, I went to the ministrone of sound and listened to a mix of horrible b sides, one minuet there was jazz, the next acid techno. It was like the puib, a mess
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Not particularly welcoming from the exterior however please don't let this put you off as a welcome is what you'll get as soon as you walk in the door.
A great landlord and real ales on tap. Everything a British pub should be.
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best pub in e3 now-not such a great feat as most of them have closed down.
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Really good pub on the old ford road, the kind of place you wouldn't mind to have as your local. Decent shepherd neame beers and a friendly landlord
Excellent.
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Out of the beaten track in Old Ford Road, this pub is a gem and a rarity. Tidy bar with lovely ales, Guinness poured properly and a range of interesting alternatives if the mood takes you.
Most importantly, the landlords are a graceful and warm presence. Kind, funny, well travelled and Bobz can be seen behind the decks on Fridays for the Minestrone of Sound. Great music, great atmosphere, open mindedness that are contagious with the punters and make great sessions.
Always looking forward to the next visit.
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A proper, real pub in London�s East End, serving Shepherd Neame ales in first class condition. A great atmosphere and very friendly staff and clientele. The Canterbury Jack ale was sold at just �2.75 per pint. Mainly jazz/blues background music, with some occasional live sessions. Regular quizzes. Smallish beer garden to rear.
An interesting range of baguettes are available, I enjoyed the Red Leicester & Pickle whilst another in our group devoured a Brie & Salami variety.
The landlord is very friendly and made a point of visiting all groups of drinkers for a chat at their table, a rather nice touch in my view. Most certainly worth a visit, even if only to see the remarkably well-preserved interior!
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Hospitable, well kept beer and excellent quality well priced food ! Not had such a pleasant afternoon in a pub for ages, in a word it's everything a pub should be......hang on that's six words - but it's true so we'll leave it at that....
Do yourself a favour and pop in.........
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Just enjoyed a session in the Eleanor - guvnor + wife and daughter were really friendly and welcoming and the draught beers were very well kept. A real traditional local in the best sense, very highly recommended.
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I must stop repeating myself
anonymous - 11 Sep 2010 12:22 |
cheers ratty ,you dont seem such a bad chap after all.
anonymous - 11 Sep 2010 12:21 |
cheers ratty ,you dont seem such a bad chap after all.
anonymous - 11 Sep 2010 12:20 |
Southlondonrat put your claws away its not a good look.
anonymous - 11 Sep 2010 11:48 |
Southlondonlion are you a pRAT. Try a pint there its a good boozer. 7/10
anonymous - 11 Sep 2010 09:48 |
Superb pub; great beer, well-priced, and the warmest welcome you'll find in the whole of London. Despite only visiting once a month or so (for the wonderful quiz), Frank greets us like regulars. We'd be there more often if it was on our doorstep; it really is a (hopefully not too) hidden gem.
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OH ,WHAT A JOY THIS PUB WAS TO FIND...!!!!
IN THE SHADOW OF THE NEW OLYMPIC STADIUM DOWN THE ROAD IT IS EVERYTHING A PUB SHOULD BE.
A PROPER BOOZER WITH A BRILLIANT,CHATTY LANDLORD AND EXCELLENT SHEPHERD NEME BEER AND A BRILLIANT FEELING WELCOMING TO BOTH LOCALS AND STRANGERS(LIKE MYSELF).
IF YOUR IN THE AREA,DROP IN...ITS WELL WORTH A VISIT.
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Superb, friendly local, no food but great beer, and warm welcome.
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excellent pub--positive minded landlady-decent and interesting clientele-god selection of real ales and a nice atmosphere=possibly one of the top three pubs in tower hamlets now.
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Friendly and welcoming Sheps pub close to Victoria Park and the canal. A rather forbidding and uninspiring exterior leads into a traditional wood pannelled single bar with an adjoining area at the back with a dartboard and pool table.
Outside a blackboard greets us with the message " Welcome to the 2010 Good Beer Guide Listed Olde Pubbe 1879", although I suspect that the current interior dates back to the inter war period. A splendid large Watney Combe Reid mirror by the fireplace is indicative of former ownership. It's a comfortable carpeted friendly pub decorated with film posters and old adverts.
On my recent Sunday lunchtime visit, beers on were Canterbury Jack, Kents Best, Christmas Ale and, notably Hook Norton's Old Hookey. The enthusiastic and engaging landlord told me that Kents Best was their top seller - Spitfire was not stocked any more as it didn't sell. Both the Canterbury Jack and the Kents Best - � 2.60p and � 2.95p respectively - were in excellent form.
The pub has recently made the CAMRA GBG for the first time ( 2010 edition ) and advertises regularly in London Drinker where it describes itself as " The Eleanor Arms brings a nice taste of East End charm back to Bow".
I quite liked this pub - a nice old fashioned community local. It's a bit out of the way, not particularly close to any Underground Station, but it's worth making the effort to find.
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Great beer and a very warm welcome form Frank, Lesley and Keely. A very reasonable range of moderately priced wines . Frank has turned away the clientele that once gave the pub a bad name and now its a boozer for the new locals. No SKY, no cooked food, just well kept beer, great music and interesting conversation.
cjpf2 - 29 Nov 2009 20:27 |
I love this pub, I was made to feel so welcome. There is always something happening and a new drink to try, and its a rare pub where I want to swap records with the landlord! A neighbourhood gem.
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A welcoming pub with a good selection of real ales.
Rowdy element kept away by a good Governor.
Very good music.
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the best pub I have ever been! Friendly and very welcome staff, outstanding beers, nice people hanging around. excellent music every day. they have good taste! I highly recommend this place.
ariam - 17 Nov 2009 08:28 |
An oasis of calm in the East End. Pool table, great beer, beer garden and friendly staff.
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One of our favorite pubs! Great ales, fun & friendly staff/owners....just a great, comfortable pub where you always feel welcome and at home!
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The Eleanor Arms is that all too rare a thing in London - a genuine "local". Having lived in London for 7 years, I had yet to encounter such a friendly, welcoming pub as the Eleanor Arms, complete with an excellent selection of reasonably priced ales and lagers. The landlord and lady are lovely too, even accomodating our cricket team weekly and serving us complimentary teas!
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This pub is far too close to my home for comfort! Excellent ale and excellent company. Beware the next tune the landlord plays will make you stay for the next pint.
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Great Pub, but it's not in Bethnal Green. IT'S IN BOW!
In less than two years it has been turned round from a tip you would not want to be seen dead in to a fine GBG pub, with staff that welcome regulars and new-comers alike, and women feel as comfortable as men.
You'll find the best conditioned Sherherd Neam's anywhere, with regular offerings from its microbrewery. Visitors travel from afar because of the reputation of its beer. But there's also a good wine list and a selection of fine malt whiskys.
Downside: if you live locally it's a bit tempting to call in too often.
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A very good find, They serve excellent real ale, all 4 was in tip top condition. Very friendly staff with good knowledge of what they are serving. A good size wine list is also on offer of both red and white. i shall definitely be revisiting!
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My husband dragged me into this pub so he could sample their real ales, which we had heard so many good things about, he was very happy and so was I as they had a nice selection of soft drinks, tea and coffee (I am tea total).
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Great place for a good beer and you're always made to feel welcome. Get yourself a drink, plonk yourself at the bar and have a good chat with the staff and regulars. Get down there on a Friday for the Minestrone of Sound and if you ask nicely you might get a photo with Frank the Landlord at his soon to be legendary decks!
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I must agree with the recent comments. From the outside and to an outsider perhaps passing through the area on the #8 bus, you could get the impression this is a rough pub. Well it isn't. Friendly owners and staff, and by friendly I don't mean the standard "friendly" that some east end boozers band around, meaning if you're not already known you have to work on your welcome. This place they serve with a cheer, and they have a good selection of ales and lagers. It's a "drink like the old days" kind of place, in keeping with the decor.
Recommended
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They are celebrating down at The Eleanor, the pub has just got listed in the 2010 Good Beer Guide for the first time in it's history.
An amazing transformation and success in less than 2 years.
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This is a Shepherd Neame pub; they had on Whitstable Bay, Canterbury Jack and a seasonal special called July 4th. They don�t do Master Brew, but they usually have on Kent�s Best which happened to be off during my visit. I had the July 4th which was, predictably, a well-hopped US style IPA. I really enjoyed � at �3.20 a pint not cheap, but you expect to pay a bit more for a specialist beer. I had a chat with the landlord, who was about to head off with a bunch of chums to the Greenwich Jazz & Beer Festival. He told me that Shepherd Neame had inherited a micro brewery that they had moved to their main brewery and is used for producing smaller volume specialist brews � hence the July 4th.
Anyway, this is a comfortably furnished (i.e. normal tables and chairs) pub with friendly and welcoming service. The only negative side is that they don�t do food. Notwithstanding that, it gets my recommendation as a pub worth seeking out if you�re in the area.
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Wow! What a find. A great, good old fashioned pub, with well kept ales and a thoroughly charming lady behind the bar, sadly I didn't get her name, although I think it may be Leslie.
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Well off my manor, this pub, seen in the London Drinker too, was reached after a nice walk up Regent's Canal and through Victoria Park. From the outside it doesn't look too promising, but once you get through the front door it's great!
Brilliant decor: old adverts, film posters and prints; fresh flowers in vases; magazines and newspapers at the bar and an eclectic mix of books to read and borrow.
The pub is spick and span, the welcome friendly, and on a warm Saturday afternoon, the Shep ales were in great nick, as was the Ashai lager.
There is a small yard at the rear for a quiet smoke.
Hope to get back sometime!
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Saw advert in 'London Drinker', otherwise would have never stumbled in by accident. A very good find indeed.
Called in between Christmas and New Year. Very impressed with the quality of the beer and the warm welcome from the staff. There is obviously a lot of hard work taking place here to ceate an excellent local. A sure fire entry for the GBG this year.
mally - 18 Jan 2009 10:43 |
Has 3 Sheps beers currently and the Kents best was in superb nick . Some interesting posters and pictures on the walls. Some investment on decore has resulted in this pub becoming a decent place to visit again
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What a great little boozer. Fantastic Manager and his charming wife. Well worth a visit.
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Called into the Eleanor after walking along the canal by the old Gun Wharfe. What a hidden gem. Friendly staff ,landlord took over pub in Jan 08 and he knows his way around good beer. Most weeks there is a special beer.Pub has a relaxed feel nice fires no loud tvs blaring away.Will definately call in again handy for walks in Victoria park.
Nice touches are the fresh flowers and book shelf where you can borrow and exchange books.
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The address is wrong ...Bow not Bethnal Green.
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Well I popped here yesterday and I think its a great pub. The Landlord and Landlady are wonderful people. I came across this pub as it is the setting of a Music video for The Twang (a band from Bimingham, if you have never heard of them!) being filmed that day, and I was in it.
Thanks for a great day guys, plenty of choice for lagers and spirts. Very friendly, warm welcome and tasteful. See you again soon!
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visited this pub while on hoiday,the beer was first class especially the Oranjeboom lager, also had a good range of liquers and the barstaff were really friendly, they even put on the celtic game for me.I will definately go back next time in london.
anonymous
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been in this pub a few times they have just had real ales put in went in friday to try it good beer if you like ales try these the girls behind the bar were very friendly will be going back!!!!!
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I am from the area and i am not made to feel welcome in this pub!
anonymous - 6 Mar 2007 11:49 |
This was full of locals when I popped in, but I was made to feel welcome having a chat with the landlady. Certainly more chirpy than some of the other nearby pubs. However, it has quite an odd-shaped bar with a narrow corridor to get to the loos and decor looked a bit tired.
Worth popping in just to try the 'Oranjeboom' beer, which I hadn't heard of before.
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Been to this pub a few times as friends like on the estate behind it. Definately one for locals only, I would strongly recommend to be avoided on a Friday night if you are not from the area.
TommyN - 18 Oct 2004 10:58 |
