The Blind Beggar
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The Blind Beggar. Part one. The ' Krays ' This Famous Pub is best known for being one of the haunts of the Kray Twins, ( Ronnie and Reggie ). One dark night a member of the Richardsons gang, George Cornell a local career criminal was disrepecting the Krays after one pint too many in the blind beggar. The strange part of this story was that George went to school with the Krays. He joined the Watney streeters gang, after leaving school before going back to his friends, the Krays. He then switched sides by joining the Richardsons. True rival gangs. News quickly got back to the brothers, who were not pleased. He was on his last warning !!!... On hearing that George was yet again drunk and slagging off Ronnie, something this time changed. He has gone too far !!!... The Krays rushed to the blind beggar, only to find George, in a state, he even answered back !!!.... This was too much, much to Reggies amazement Ronnie had a gun in his pocket. With his hackles up, he pushed George against the wall and pulled the trigger. To this day the bullet hole can still be seen preserved behind glass. My family had a genuine connection to the Kray family, This was a different era, but was it really worse ?. My opinion though, is more of a question, should it matterthat whilst the people I met at an early age were perfectly normal. I was friends with drivers and yes met the Brothers, I was young, I like people for the way they present themselves, not on monetary value at all. These were misunderstood people and today, without doubt would have been reformed. I met friends from days long past. Great friends !. When you visit, don't be an arrogant person, just talk and be friendly. Everybody there are really friendly. The salt of the earth !!, diamonds. On our visit, this was a pleasant pub with very friendly people. Food is served and the odd pint or two drunk. I would highly recommend that you visit this establishment, if just for the ambience and historical value. How did this place get its name ???.. I will leave that to you to discover or follow us for we will tell you later. As a pub, Highly recommended !!!!!. Don't forget your hotdogs and play with the famous cats !!!...
Grahame TearleGrahame Tearle
30
🚇Whitechapel 🍺 £6.80 Madri ❤️ The East End’s most famous or infamous boozer. . Due to its location close to Whitechapel Station, the pub is generally described as being in Whitechapel; it is however located just on the Bethnal Green side of the historic boundary between Bethnal Green and Whitechapel. . Built in 1894, the pub takes its name from the ballad and legend The Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green. The pub is notorious for its connection to The Kray twins, in 1966, Ronnie Kray shot and murdered George Cornell of rival gang the Richardsons. On a lighter note, The Blind Beggar is where William Booth held his first sermon when he started The Salvation Army. . This is a medium sized one bar pub which is traditionally decorated. There is a dark wood panelled servery which is centrally located, at the rear of the bar is a pool table which is a rare find in this neck of the woods. There is loads of seating, at the side of the pub is a large beer garden for the summer months. . The beer lineup was all keg mainstream brands including Guinness. I decided on a pint of Madri which was served in an Aspall’s glass. My pint was decent enough but £6.80! for Madri is way off and not justifiable considering the surrounding pubs prices. . I visited just after midday on a Saturday and there were a few punters in attendance. As I arrived a group of lads were drinking up, I presume they were pub crawling the area. There was a mix of young and old plus a couple of wide boys trumping each others exploits. The atmosphere was calm with a chill house soundtrack in the background. . I’m still not sure what to make of it. On this visit I left here thinking “tourist trap” due to the price point and this pub is playing on its Kray connection which I must admit was the reason for my first ever visit. This pub is definitely worth a visit to see for yourself but be prepared to pay protection money prices. . ℹ️ Info correct on visiting 04.03.23
London Pub MapLondon Pub Map
30
This visit, was for the Tour, which Starts here and gives you a Great insight into the London Gangster Scene, and the Exploits of The Kray Twins, who were Well known in this area, The Blind Beggar, Situated, about 2 Minutes Walk from Whitechapel Underground station, its Situated right on the Edge of Bethnal Green side of the Boundary, the Pub takes its Name from a Ballad, and is Reputed to be Built on the site of the Beggar....its where the Shooting( by Ronnie Kray) of George Cornell ( Heavily Witnessed) took place, on the 9th March 1966.... Frequented by the Famous including Harry Redknapp,and once owned by Bobby Moore.... Today's Stars were undoubtedly Vas Blackwood, who is More Famously remembered as Lennox,(aka) Sha- ad -ow... Fools and Horses ( a Classic Episode) he Walks you around this Famous Area, and really gives you the Feeling of those Days, and the area around where these 2 infamous Gangster Brothers Grew up.... in Addition there's 2 Beautiful Puddy Cats, Edward and Henry who are Of Equal Fame in the pub... We were introduced to both, by Lovely Staff... Great Tour, Atmosphere, And Vas is Absolutely Brilliant 👏🏼....Thank you 😎🐈🐈 Russell ❤ Angela xx
Russell NicholsonRussell Nicholson
20
Decent Busy London Boozer, great selection of draught ales and beers with some fruity alternative type beverages also available. Decor is a tad rough and ready BUT let's be honest here I didn't attend to pick holes with the fact it could do with a real good clean and a lick of paint or that the colour of the chosen led lamps in the old chandelier fittings were not correct. BUT more to have a good few drinks with some old friends. The queue at the bar was a little problematic at first, as some millennial entitled types seemed to think that they owned the full 10 feet of it. luckily the bar staff started shouting the odds and leveled the field by serving in turn, an understanding was reached and normal service was resumed. Something that also amused was the pub cat, that appears to have free run of the place and as with all cats did not give 2 ducks about anyone or anything. The outdoor covered seating area was great and although some of the heating wasn't working it was still a great space to sit round a table and sink a few beers, and perhaps also a few too many Honey Tequila. Oh and apparently someone got shot here at some point in the past 🤷♂️
Nick ReesNick Rees
00
A decent enough pub with a very interesting history, even pre the 60s. But it felt a little confused. The inside felt like a nice old school boozer but the beer garden was decorated with a mix of modern styles that all seemed to clash; not just with the interior of the pub but amongst themselves as well. The outside felt like one of these new gastropubs. I half expected to turn round and see someone having a vape and a smash burger. For a Saturday evening when I visited it was very quiet. I wonder if a part of that is from the confused decor outside. That said they do have a great selection of beer on tap, the more I drank the less I cared about the decorations so I can't complain there. I'd come back again to give it a second chance, but it just felt like there was something lacking for me to give the place 5 stars.
Sam WansburySam Wansbury
10
The Blind Beggar is a London institution that demands a visit, and I'm glad I finally ticked it off my list. Steeped in history, this iconic pub oozes character. I only had one drink, but the atmosphere was captivating enough to make it a memorable experience. The friendly pub cat added a charming touch, and the unexpected find of Blue Moon on tap was a delightful surprise. Though its infamous past casts a long shadow, the Blind Beggar has evolved into a welcoming local, offering a glimpse into London's gritty history while providing a comfortable space to enjoy a pint.
Max ArtheyMax Arthey
00
Nearby Attractions Of The Blind Beggar
East London Mosque
Young V&A
Escape London
Hampton by Hilton London City
Altab Ali Park
Wilde Aparthotels, London, Aldgate Tower Bridge
The Royal London Hospital
Watney Market
Whitechapel Market
Spitalfields City Farm
East London Mosque
4.9
(2.7K)Click for details
Young V&A
4.4
(2.3K)Click for details
Escape London
4.9
(981)Click for details
Hampton by Hilton London City
4.8
(904)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of The Blind Beggar
Tayyabs
Dilpasand Restaurant
Grounded London
Kolapata
Efes Restaurant (Whitechapel)
The Half Moon - JD Wetherspoon
The Urban Chocolatier Whitechapel
E Pellicci
SUSHINOEN
Needoo Grill
Tayyabs
3.9
(3.9K)Click for details
Dilpasand Restaurant
4.6
(2.5K)Click for details
Grounded London
4.5
(1.6K)Click for details
Kolapata
4.6
(1.6K)Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
337 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1BU, United Kingdom
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Website
theblindbeggar.com
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Reviews
Overview
4.2
(1.1K reviews)
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Description
Victorian East End pub infamous as site where 1960s gangster Ronnie Kray shot and killed a rival.
attractions: East London Mosque, Young V&A, Escape London, Hampton by Hilton London City, Altab Ali Park, Wilde Aparthotels, London, Aldgate Tower Bridge, The Royal London Hospital, Watney Market, Whitechapel Market, Spitalfields City Farm, restaurants: Tayyabs, Dilpasand Restaurant, Grounded London, Kolapata, Efes Restaurant (Whitechapel), The Half Moon - JD Wetherspoon, The Urban Chocolatier Whitechapel, E Pellicci, SUSHINOEN, Needoo Grill
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