The Carpenter's Arms

A gift bought by the infamous Kray twins for their mother, Violet, the pocket-sized Carpenter’s Arms, off Brick Lane, belongs on the East End gangster heritage trail (if such a thing exists). But a dubious past isn’t all that this smartly restored wood-panelled boozer has going for it. A bigger selling point is the roster of ales: often interesting choices & always beautifully kept. Purity’s UBU, Fuller’s Honey Dew & Timothy Taylor Landlord are home-grown options on the pumps, while the likes of Brooklyn Chocolate Stout or Germany’s Köstritzer Schwarzbier in bottles have travelled rather further. The thoughtfully assembled wine selection lists a dozen bottles (half white, half red), all under £26. A part-bistro, part-pub menu (burgers, escargots & cottage pie sit happily together) will keep you occupied while you drink.