Buy the RPF book "Capital Boozing"
All the reviews in one convenient package

979 pubs online
880 reviews

Plaistow pubs

An East London district with its fare share of inner city problems. The highlight for drinkers is The Black Lion which has links to Dick Turpin and was the regular haunt of legendary West Ham players in the 1960s.


The Black Lion, 59-61 High Street, Plaistow, E13 0AD
The Black Lion, 59-61 High Street, Plaistow
This is a true East End family run pub with a very friendly atmosphere. Look around and you see the customers are as varied as the beers. The pub itself has a lot of character, not a straight wall or square corner anywhere, the original crooked house. There is a massive beer garden for the long summer days where a nice cold pint or two can be enjoyed. Being a free house a good selection of ales always seems to be available. Good pub grub is served lunchtime and early evenings, the portion size is large and the price is very reasonable.

For the weekend afternoons horse racing and football are the flavour and dominate the TVs, there's a smaller lounge bar without the TV for quiet drinkers. The jukebox has both new hits and golden oldies on it with most in between; if you're in there long enough you'll hear it all. It can get very busy around West Ham home games. Being less than a mile to the ground it's used by both home and away supporters before and after the game.
Reviewed by Kitbag, Jan 2007
Low-ceilinged, smoky, noisy and convivial. This pub has indefinable magic, some secret ingredient that is all too rare. It possesses a television, a Juke box, a dartboard, the most dubious dance floor ever (totally unused) and a back room that can only be reached by walking behind the bar. One of the truly great London pubs.
Reviewed by Fred Flange
Telephone: 020 8472 2351
Nearest station: Plaistow, Zone 3 (190 metres)
The Greyhound, 136 West Ham Lane, E15 4PT
The Greyhound, 136 West Ham Lane
Apparently, the Greyhound is the second oldest pub in the area, after the Black Lion in Plaistow (which has been around for 500 years). Set just off from a square that features a suitably medieval-looking church, this is a superior boozer that oozes good hostelry. Despite its unremarkable appearance and iffy, slapdash interior, and boasting nothing more than the usual range of beers, a pool table and a TV, it's a down-to-earth, friendly place with a nice, relaxed vibe and a culturally diverse bunch of punters. A good location for a heavy session.
Reviewed by Fred Flange, Apr 2005
Telephone: 020 8534 2132
Nearby pubs: King Edward VII, 47 Broadway, Stratford (440 metres), The Princess of Wales, 25 West Ham Lane (260 metres)
Nearest station: Stratford, Zone 3 (800 metres)

All content © Random Pub Finder 2001-2012, website development by Doogal