The Galvaniser’s Union

A rare bit of good news in a borough that’s haemorrhaging boozers at an alarming rate, this Tower Hamlets social hub is the latest offer from a funky group that also includes The Tooting Tram & Social, Farr’s School of Dancing and Effra Social. Occupying what was the dismal, defeated Duke of Wellington, The Galvaniser’s Union combines distressed decor and a bar straight out of an Andy Capp cartoon with flea-market finds and 60s paisley-pattern wallpaper. It’s a shabby-chic backdrop for beers that might include Dark Star Hop Head, Sharp’s Doom Bar, Krusovice, Cork-brewed Shandon dry stout… and Carling lager (postmodern irony, perhaps). Wines start at an eye-poppingly cheap £2.45 for Spanish house plonk, while £38 buys a bottle of Jean-Noël Haton Champagne. Also expect DJs, live music, board games and traditional British grub.