Smashed
Last night, I got smashed. Myself and Wee Rossie met for a slow, easy pint of Freedom Dark Lager in the civilised surroundings of The Duke of Cambridge in Islington. Perversely, we decided to continue our evening by creeping along a canal towpath under cover of darkness, venturing fearlessly into a scary council estate, before slipping into The Wenlock Arms.
The Wenlock could do with a good clean (I don't think all the sanitation in the world could do anything for the regulars, however). Back in the days when I was a hirsute, chubby chappie, sadly afflicted with beer mania, I professed to love the place (just check out this rather embarrassing write-up - sick bags at the ready). Nowadays, I'm not so sure. In fact, I'm certain it isn't my kind of place at all. But if the continuing success of The Wenlock proves anything, it's that there's room for all sorts. And that's a good job for those who choose to linger there - they're an odd bunch, to say the least. They'd be eyed warily if they took up residence in most other pubs.
We sat at the bar and took in the atmosphere. A stereo that even a luddite like myself could identify as antique blared out, while pint after pint was dispensed by a bearded gent who constantly paced in circles behind the island bar. Getting served was a bit like those sushi restaurants with the conveyor belt: if you waited for him come round to you, beer would soon fill you glass.
There were seven real ales on offer. One of them took my fancy: Pitfield 1824 Mild. I remember having it from a bottle a few years ago, after visiting the (now closed) Pitfield Beer Shop in Hoxton for the first and only time. I'd thought it was out of production, so was rather keen to try it again. So I did. And then I tried it again, in quick succession, four times. It was lovely (if a little flat). But it was 6.0% abv. So that's how I got smashed.
After my second pint, I stopped caring that the toilets were a little grotty, the locale grim and the company frankly weird (I'm not talking about you, Ross). You see, there's room for all sorts of pubs in this city.
18 comments:
Only ever been once but it left a mark, the ultimate scuff pub but oh the beer and salt-beef sarnies were impressive.
Ah back to the Wenlock Arms
:)
Pitfield other mild is great, are there beer available in other pubs in London?
I last went to the Wenlock on my stag do a few years ago. I don't recommend the pickled eggs to anyone, and I like pickled eggs. You can't argue with the selection of beers though.
A 6.0% mild....forgot to say crikey.
the Wenlock is ok when it's busier, been there a few times over the years and quite enjoyed it as a pub.
however, i went earlier this year a couple of hours before the Wenstock mini-festival on St George's day was due to start and there was a definite unpleasant atmosphere (funny looks and muttering) - place was pretty empty, only a few lager-drinking locals (they don't seem to care about the 8 hand pumps) - and the person i was with felt very uncomfortable immediately with being the only non-white and non-male person in there that we just walked out again and got the bus to the much friendlier surroundings of the Pembury Tavern.
on the way out, passed the barman chatting to someone in the street, and being rude about the music events later - there definitely seems to be an awkward mix at the Wenlock of locals, beer fans, and people for the music events...
There are definitely some menacing characters in The Wenlock from time to time, but that's true of most "community locals".
Oblivious, at least two and usually three Pitfield beers are always available on cask at The Duke of Cambridge in Islington, the other pub I mentioned in my post. The DofC couldn't be further removed from The Wenlock in atmosphere - it's just about the most middle class pub I've been too!
I have been to the Wenlock once and found it to be a total dump. I don't care what London beer geeks say. I would be embarrassed to recommend it to a beer fanatic from overseas. The place needs a DEEP clean cos it resembles Steptoes yard.
Who really needs 8 hand pumps unless you are a ticker?
Still never made it to The Wenlock... My little brother informed me that "it's proper dodgy". I really should go in, otherwise it'll look like I was following his advice.
Tim: The Sloaney Pony's got 15 pumps.
Jason - I'm not that big a fan of the White Horse. More for the fact that it attracts both weirdos and posh social climbing wannabes than teh number of handpumps though.
Thank God they pulled up that carpet!!
Krista, I love the way they've made no effort to replace the floor covering, so there's just bare, cracked concrete down there...
Is the Wenlock one of those things in life that's so bad it's good?
I'm not that fussy, but I thought it a real dump last time I was there which was last November.
Is that strange sour smell still there?
Jeff - I don't think that old piece of yours about the Wenlock is gushing or embarrassing at all. Perhaps you glossed over the negatives (i.e. that the place is a shithole and some of the regulars/locals are mental/starey/tramp's mates) and focused on the positives (beer selection).
I used to live about 10 minutes walk from there. Only ever went there twice. Much preferred more civilised places, despite the beers on offer.
The only time I went there I was helping out at GBBF with my Dad, we stopped for a really good lunchtime pint or 2 (no food though) afterwards we wandered down to the canal via a council flat estate - a local council warden / community patrol guy asked us what we were doing & advised us to get the hell out of dodge-y Hoxton!
I agree the Wenlock is in need of a deep clean but seriously you'd think it was in the middle of the scariest ghetto in the world according to the comments on here. I've been many times, when busy and when quiet and the locals, although they do seem a bit scary on first sight, are actually all decent chaps/ladies. If you speak to them they're actually quite approachable, however if you go in there looking down your nose at them (As I've seen some Hoxtonesque types do) don't expect to be warmly welcomed - its a local pub you're visiting after all. As for the area its like the rest of the less glamourous parts of London - a little bit dodgy but hardly worth grown men crapping their pants over - I'm a girl and I've walked round there myself without worry.
Glad you liked the beer. The owners are unlikely to make many changes while the pub remains popular.
We took about £3000 last Saturday night, so must be doing something right!
I've been drinking at the Wenlock for about two years and I lived at the second closest house to the pub for a year. The staff are knowledgeable about beer which is a rarity. Sure the pub looks a little run down but I like it that way. The Wenlock will always have a place in my heart. Talking of dodgy the pub was actually under siege last week hence why there is a boarded up window... Ahhh kids will be kids.
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