October 2024. Smithfield. London.
New Guide entry No. 2 (of 2) in the City of London,
only 5 minutes from the Bishop’s Finger but with a millennium of history on the way.
How inviting does Beppe’s look ?
I noted the absence of City suits in the Bishop, but there were plenty outside the Viaduct, with courts towering behind.
Inside, a much more casual crowd, as is the way post-Covid.
Blimey, a CAMRA 3 star pub interior; how has this gin palace marvel evaded my (and GBG) attention for so long ?
You know, I’m not sure that’s not a genuine Bass mirror…
No Bass in a Fullers pub, where I ask the question “What would Simon do ?“.
No doubt Paul (either of them) will be horrified to hear it’s £6.55, but your pint of Pride ESB is drinking well, NBSS 4 in fact.
Worth a fiver to sit by the window and just take in the view, I reckon.
And even Paul Mudge’s scratchings (from the packet) couldn’t ruin that head.
A cracker.
retiredmartin 
Coincidently I’ve just found a receipt from three days ago for a pint of Nicholsons Pale Ale at £6.05 ( actually £4.05 with a 33% discount ) so conclude that over £6 a pint in London is only to be expected nowadays.
I last noticed that splendid Bass mirror in March 2020.
Contrary to what I suggested recently I’ve now realised that ‘Draught Bass’, rather than just ‘Bass’, was the proper name for the beer before my time. That’s not only from the decades old illuminated “DRAUGHT BASS” signage on the Empress Tavern but also from about three quarters of an hour into the 1962 film “The Boys” where the Three Aces has a small “DRAUGHT BASS” pumpclip alongside one for Wenlock Bitter from the brewery closed that year, both behind a “Bass Blue Triangle” ashtray and a “Wothington Green Shield” beermat.
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In Chichester the Fuller’s beers were among the best beer we drank. Sadly, no ESB.
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I’m staying in the Premier Inn up the road in late December. A lot of pubs in the area will be closed, but the Viaduct is always open.
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Historically this was an Allied Breweries pub, branded IIRC in the early 80s in Friary Meux livery.
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Yes, as one of 2300 pubs listed in the 1981 “Real Ale in London” book it had Friary Meux Bitter and Ind Coope Burton Ale. Two beers was ( and is ) plenty.
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They were the only 2 you could have as a managed house. Depending on the branding in the South East , it would be Friary/ Benskins/ Taylor Walker/ Ind Coope bitter and Burton Ale if turnover justified it.
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Yes, but I thought we were content with a choice of two cask beers back then. Few pubs had more and quality was better.
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And an excellent two beers at that.
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My wife (who works across the road in the building with the lady on top!) informs me that if you ask the bar staff nicely, they’ll take you downstairs to show you the cells from the old Newgate prison that are still there!
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Blimey.
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Not only city suits but also city quarter-zips and gilets.
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I stopped working and living in London back in April, but my Thursday treat to myself was a sausage, egg and bacon bap from Beppe’s. It’s inviting alright!
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Their menu is worth a look !
My Dad used to deliver flowers and veg to the London markets 50 years ago and I remember him stopping in a cafe like that the times I was allowed to go with him.
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Lovely piece on Beppe’s from the excellent Spitalfields Life blog: https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/01/31/at-beppes-cafe/
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Great read, thanks !
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