Hackney chitter-chatter &tc

[alsoknownas]

Went to the Star - enjoyed it. Atmospheric lighting, friendly staff, had some interesting conversations with randoms (sign of a good pub in my books). Had a really splendid ale (forgot the name ).

Popped my head in Winsor Castle. Didn't fancy it. Vast and not very personal. But to be honest we didn't give it a proper chance, so I'll probably try it again sometime. Went Biddles instead (was bloody fab).

I remember when Biddle Brothers seemed just a little bit pretentious and arty, but now, compared to the new places, it feels positively down-to-earth and normal, even slightly divey (in a good way) .

 

[marty21]

Went to the Star - enjoyed it. Atmospheric lighting, friendly staff, had some interesting conversations with randoms (sign of a good pub in my books). Had a really splendid ale (forgot the name ).

Popped my head in Winsor Castle. Didn't fancy it. Vast and not very personal. But to be honest we didn't give it a proper chance, so I'll probably try it again sometime. Went Biddles instead (was bloody fab).

I remember when Biddle Brothers seemed just a little bit pretentious and arty, but now, compared to the new places, it feels positively down-to-earth and normal, even slightly divey (in a good way) .

I will try the Star next week, must admit I am a fan of all these ale pubs opening up in Clapton - but I'd like some of the old style pubs to remain as well - still drink in the Crooked Billet every now and again - that needs to stay - and seems popular with the locals still

 

[alsoknownas]

I will try the Star next week, must admit I am a fan of all these ale pubs opening up in Clapton - but I'd like some of the old style pubs to remain as well - still drink in the Crooked Billet every now and again - that needs to stay - and seems popular with the locals still

I agree about keeping the old pubs (I feel sorry for the Windsor Castle regulars, who seemed like an interesting bunch - can't see a single one of them feeling welcome or comfortable in the new place).

However (and I might be about to be a bit of a snob ), I wouldn't hold up the Billet as a decent example. I frickin hate it in there. Miserable buggers mostly. Filthy bogs. Football-first atmosphere. Slight edge of menace (but still strangely devoid of atmosphere).

For your genuine decent old-skool boozer I reckon the Anchor & Hope wins hands down. They'd be a riot if they tried to gentrify that.

 

[marty21]

I agree about keeping the old pubs (I feel sorry for the Windsor Castle regulars, who seemed like an interesting bunch - can't see a single one of them feeling welcome or comfortable in the new place).

However (and I might be about to be a bit of a snob ), I wouldn't hold up the Billet as a decent example. I frickin hate it in there. Miserable buggers mostly. Filthy bogs. Football-first atmosphere. Slight edge of menace (but still strangely devoid of atmosphere).

For your genuine decent old-skool boozer I reckon the Anchor & Hope wins hands down. They'd be a riot if they tried to gentrify that.

they are fairly miserable in the billet tbf- It is my closest pub, so I go there out of habit, and as I'm fairly regular - the regulars are ok with me - haven't been much of late though - the hart is almost as close - and has a lovely selection of ales - the Billet has John Smiths

 

[rutabowa]

£4 a pint of ale in the Star, pah.
the new Cock on mare street is actually great though, a perfect reopening where they kept all the good bits of the old place and kept it cheap but just added good beer and a good jukebox and stripped back all the decor.

 

[Sue]

£4 a pint of ale in the Star, pah.
the new Cock on mare street is actually great though, a perfect reopening where they kept all the good bits of the old place and kept it cheap but just added good beer and a good jukebox and stripped back all the decor.

Mmm, was in the Cock last week for the first time since its refurbishment. Tried a few of the beers (four between us) but wasn't overly impressed -- they were all very perfumy tasting which I'm not a fan of and quite a few of the others were really strong (5.5+%) so wasn't up for trying those. Maybe I was unlucky with what they had on at the time but not sure I'll be rushing back.

 

[marty21]

£4 a pint of ale in the Star, pah.
the new Cock on mare street is actually great though, a perfect reopening where they kept all the good bits of the old place and kept it cheap but just added good beer and a good jukebox and stripped back all the decor.

They only had 1 ale on when I was there yesterday - food wise - it seems to be variations on hotdogs and nothing else - presumably they will start doing more food - it didn't look that different tbh - same layout as far as I could remember - new flooring - and painted, and I'm sure there used to be a pool table in there - now gone

 

[marty21]

Mmm, was in the Cock last week for the first time since its refurbishment. Tried a few of the beers (four between us) but wasn't overly impressed -- they were all very perfumy tasting which I'm not a fan of and quite a few of the others were really strong (5.5+%) so wasn't up for trying those. Maybe I was unlucky with what they had on at the time but not sure I'll be rushing back.

quite like the perfumy tasting ones myself

 

[Sue]

quite like the perfumy tasting ones myself

Weirdo...

 

[Stigmata]

Call me lazy but I like to sit down with a drink, and there's not much chance of that in the Cock. I still rate the Pembury above it.

 

[rutabowa]

Call me lazy but I like to sit down with a drink, and there's not much chance of that in the Cock. I still rate the Pembury above it.

i've only ever been in Cock in the afternoon so i've aways got a seat. yeah i wouldn't want to have to stand really. i still go for the pembury in general though i dislike the new painted walls.

 

[marty21]

http://www.refinery29.com/clapton-london

The Ultimate Guide To London's Hottest Hipster 'Hood

When it comes to hip and happening places in London, one might not immediately think of the district formally known as "murder mile." But, just like its fellow Hackney hipster hot spots, Shoreditch and Dalston, Clapton has reinvented itself.

That’s right, the artists have moved further east — northeast, to be exact — and with them, Clapton has inherited a host of quirky cafes, a night vintage market, and even a curiosity shop to satisfy even the most enthusiastic taxidermy fancier. Let us show you around.

OMG, I am a hipster stretches the borders of Clapton a little bit, some of the places I have never heard of tbh

 

[rutabowa]

http://www.refinery29.com/clapton-london





OMG, I am a hipster stretches the borders of Clapton a little bit, some of the places I have never heard of tbh

I don't think the people who wrote it have ever been to the places either, they say that Mess cafe is in a converted warehouse on an industrial estate. It is actually just on a shopping street with lots of other cafes.

 

[Stash]

I don't think the people who wrote it have ever been to the places either, they say that Mess cafe is in a converted warehouse on an industrial estate. It is actually just on a shopping street with lots of other cafes.

And that picture's years old & all; it's had a complete refit since then.

 

[Pickman's model]

http://www.refinery29.com/clapton-london





OMG, I am a hipster stretches the borders of Clapton a little bit, some of the places I have never heard of tbh

do you have the short tight trousers and facial hair of the hipster poseur?

 

[marty21]

do you have the short tight trousers and facial hair of the hipster poseur?

no to both - the facial hair is street drinker chic

 

[Pickman's model]

no to both - the facial hair is street drinker chic

laziness

 

[Stash]

http://www.refinery29.com/clapton-london





OMG, I am a hipster stretches the borders of Clapton a little bit, some of the places I have never heard of tbh

(((hipsters))) It's not their fault; they need somewhere to go now Company magazine is all over Dalston (although their definition of Dalston seems to include London Fields, Haggerston, Stoke Newington and Mare Street). Travel section, FFS.

 

[alsoknownas]

Went t'ut Cock. Flamin' marvelous. One of my favourite destination boozers is the Southampton Arms in Tufnell Park. This is by the same bods, with the same emphasis on real beers and ciders, and sparse settings. Veggie scotch eggs? What's not to like?

I also had a luverly tour of their downstairs microbrewery, and learned all about enzymes, and hops and that.

 

[Sue]

God, when did that Foxtons open on Mare St?

 

[marty21]

OMG ! Tesco express has opened in Upper Clapton, opposite Petrol Station, we can no longer claim to be a non chain shopping destination

 

[eoin_k]

God, when did that Foxtons open on Mare St?

I was going to get indignant about that, but then just ended up wondering what took them so long. Its not like they are going to contribute much to the pace of gentrification.

 

[Sue]

I was going to get indignant about that, but then just ended up wondering what took them so long. Its not like they are going to contribute much to the pace of gentrification.

True, must've opened really recently -- walk past there a lot and sure I would've noticed it, given it's probably visible from space.

 

[rutabowa]

it is definitely recent, i noticed it last time i walked down there instantly. but it does fit in right there.

 

[marty21]

it is definitely recent, i noticed it last time i walked down there instantly. but it does fit in right there.

haven't been down that way for a few months but yep - it probably does fit in there - I can't imagine them opening one on Upper Clapton Road though

 

[eoin_k]

Anyone know why the police are searching the west side of London Fields with a fine tooth comb?

 

[Sue]

Just walked along past the lido and didn't see anything, Where exactly?

 

[alsoknownas]

They're de-nitting it.

 

[marty21]

shocking news!

We are getting reports of exciting changes happening at the Crooked Billet on Upper Clapton Road. The pub is due to reopen in early July and will be serving up East London, By The Horns, Sambrooks, Hackney and Crate beers. There will also be a micro-brewery and the largest beer garden in East London. Food will be simple and authentic (sausage roll sold by the inch!) and entertainment will comprise a weekly quiz. More details as and when they emerge. You heard it here first.

from East London and City CAMRA !

Very surprised at this - seemed popular with the regulars (I count myself as one, although my visits have tailed off since the Hart opened)

 

[marty21]

I did notice it was closed when I went past this evening - car park closed with loads of builder's vans.

Thinking about it - even though I will go there as it is my closest pub - It is a pity it has closed - all of the old style pubs in the area have closed down or been renovated - The Swan - no longer a pub - The Windsor Castle - gone all gastro - Fitzgerald's - closed for refurbishment into flats/commercial unit - The Princess of Wales - has been done up - more gastro - The one next door - the Gone Aground? now being converted into a temple I think - there was one by the lea bridge roundabout - The Old King's Head which is now a closed down restaurant (that closed about 15 years ago tbf) I think the Wishing Well is still old style (although I haven't been there for a while) and there is a pub in Stamford Hill which is old style - seems unfair on old style Clapton drinkers tbh