Bars & Pubs

This was once a right naughty little boozer deep in East End gangsterland. It was bought by the Kray twins in 1967 for their dear old mum, Violet. Used as a safe spot for a swift half, it was here that Ronnie tanked up on dutch courage before murdering Jack 'The Hat' McVitie. In short, it wasn't the sort of pub where you'd want to spill someone's pint. Today, the coffin-lid bar top, supposedly installed by the Krays, may have gone but the chunky tables, swathes of dark wood and historic windows make for a cosy place in which to hunker down with a pint to plan a bank job. There's also an intimate back room (with an incongruous picture of shrink-wrapped toilet roll) and a heated back garden. Tap talent includes four Dorothy Goodbody ales from Hereford's wonderful Wye Valley Brewery and a pair of Adnams bitters on draught. They pour alongside Germany's Licher Weizen and Früli fruit beer. Fridge-dwelling gems include Schneider Weiss, Paulaner, Duvel, a trio of Chimays and stout from the Brooklyn Brewery in New York. The kitchen will be open by summer 2008. These days, the regulars are more Thompson Twins than Kray Twins: Hoxtonites, fashionistas, the odd ironic moustache and a few ambitious hats.

Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008/9