December 2023. Stratford. London.
Pubbing in London is brilliant, and I can honestly say both the beer quality have the friendliness have got better since Covid.
And as I jumped back on the overground at Hackney Central I rejoiced in the knowledge my next tick was only 20 minutes away. Such riches !
The only downside about a pub in Stratford is the time it takes to get out of the station, almost as long as it takes to get out of West Ham’s ground.
And the rolling stock itself could do with some investment;
but the drone view shows the scale of the transformation of E15/E20 this millennium.
On the left you’ll see the home ground of the team whose supporters sing “Champions of Europe” without irony*, and good on the Hammers.
And on the right a sea of flashy high rise to match Manchester. Never mind Borough or Bethnal Green, you haven’t really seen London unless you’ve been to Stratford (and particularly Westfield).
But the new Guide entry the Olde Black Bull is a reminder of the East End past,
and of King Bobby,
and flat caps and beers you’ve heard of.
EVERY review on Google mentioned the Tribute, so I had to have that,
and it was rich and cool and smooth (NBSS 3.5) but I should have had a pint. Why didn’t I ?
Everyone (including) me seemed to be a middle-aged local in a black jacket,
but after 10 minutes the gals joined the geezers from the shops;
I couldn’t really say they softened the feel of the place as it had no edge to start with. Just a classically simple, comfortable, East End pub.
Which someone will be along in a minute to tell me is also a heritage classic.
*possibly
retiredmartin 