The Bow Bells — Restaurant in London

This must be one of the last few remaining 'Cockney' East End London pubs, for here the Bow Bells Inn, 116, Bow Road, Bow E3 stands proudly. A local landmark and bastion which has served the local community since the 1800s, the pub itself built around 1860 (?). A true traditional East London pub in all its established glory be it its architecture, interior furnishings and furniture, and a fine historic collection of photographic memorabilia hanging on the interior walls. One photo I recall shows when it was hit during the London Blitz W.W.2. But most importantly a clean and decorative pub too! Here are a Disabled entrance, cosy comfortable seating, and toilets ( disabled too) for those in need. My reckoning going by visual evidence quite possibly a regular haunt for West Ham United F.C ( Football Club) fans ' The Irons or Hammers' which may call in here for a 'PIGS EAR' (Cockney rhyming translation wording for BEER)... or two on home matchday fixtures. The local heroes W.H.U.F.C.are played out at their LONDON STADIUM 🏟 ⚽️⚒🏆🎖🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 nearby in QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPIC PARK STRATFORD E20. Indeed, there is a fine portrait of the late Sir Bobby Moore OBE of West Ham United F.C and England, which hangs significantly by the bar. He of course captained the famous winning World Cup England squad A.D.1966 and many memorable days gaining trophies 🏆🏆🏆 along the way with his club too. I visited briefly the Bow Bells pub around 1400pm, and introduced myself to a fine young gentleman (bar staff) on entry. I enjoyed the very interesting conversation we had, my 'hats off' to him the most warm, welcoming hospitality. Thank you Sir ( I didn't catch your name forgive me.....) and also for allowing me to take 📷 photos inside the pub. We were the only two present, but even when it was quite I could sense the 'invisible' vibes of a true authentic East End Cockney atmosphere. I could imagine a party 'get together played out here to 'good ole Cockney knees up' or 'Hip - Hop' garage style' music to 'the sound of Bow Bells' at Christmas or New Years Eve. I understand opening times 12 noon midday to 12 midnight ( Thursday to Saturday). I noticed a fine large selection of beers, Craft beer, ales, spirits served here on pump and warm comfort food if required. Any overseas tourists, especially from the U.S.A, or other... who want to see the real London deal, then I recommend.....if time allows you, head towards the Bow Bells 🔔 . The pub situated 4.6 miles from the centre of the capital, and easily reached by the DLR ( Docklands light railway) Bow Church 🚉 station, almost next door to the pub! Regular TFL bus services just outside in Bow Road at stops A (eastbound) or B (westbound) Nos.25, 205,425, connect. I thoroughly enjoyed my brief stay and chat, and my pint of LONDON PRIDE at (£4.50). Cheers, all the very best to everyone at the BOW BELLS, from Chris, a Woolwich (SE18) born lad and lifelong supporter of 'THE ADDICKS', CHARLTON ATHLETIC F.C. at THE VALLEY. SE7, since 1965. ⚽️🗡🏆🎖🏟🍺🍻🥃👍 ps.Hope to revisit some day in the future with wife and family, and for a...

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CONTEXT I was actually there to record a podcast! Its out now. It was a Wednesday afternoon, we were there from 3pm - 5/6pm.

ATMOSPHERE I didn't realise it was near a studenty area, so was please to see it with a good amount of people in there at 3:30, both students drinking lemonade (healthy buggers these days) and locals having a pint, of which i was only to happy to join in with. They were playing lo volume music (90s garage, which was great fun) and the bar staff were lively and chatty and more than accommodating.

SERVICE As mentioned above, great service, they were prompt, friendly, chatty with a good amount of energy for Wedendsday afternoon.

STYLE You may be mistaken by the BRIGHT ORANGE front, but this is a clasicc East End 'boozer' with a modern twist. They have some great beers on tap, pool table, show live sports and have drag act bingo, kareoke and more. Its not easy to cater for locals who have grown up in the area AND students from all over the world, but from what i can see they do this with ease and aplom. Lots of pictures from the pub in the 'olden days' as well as family and friends from the same eara. The Landlord talked of the ghost in the womens toilet as well as some classic cockney rhyming slang scattered around the pub, giving it lots of character.

TOILET Well, sadly i didn't get to experience the ghost as they were only in the womens toilet (check out podcast for more). The mens were a classic toilet, no frills, but smelt lovely (until a customer seemingly dropped off ALL THE KIDS in there for a bit, but thats another story).

PRICE Its East London, but not the 'trendy part', but still London all the same. Pint of Brixton craft pale ale was £6.40, fairly common price these days. Didn't have a pizza, but they seemed priced well.

FOOD & DRINK As mentioned great selection of both keg and cask beers, as well as bottled cocktails (we tried the bloody mary on the podcast) and other various wines and spirits. They serve pizza in the evening only, from a local kitchen that is a residency in there and they...

🚇 Bow Road 🍺 £5.70 Cruzcampo

The Bow Bells is located close to Bow Church on busy Bow Road in London’s East End. The nearest Tube is Bow Road.

This brightly decorated pub was built in 1866 and is named after the famous bells of The Church of St Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside, City of London.

This is a traditionally decorated one bar pub that has a proper oldschool feel. The bar is set out in an ‘L’ with the servery located front right. In front of the servery is a cosy seating area with a lovely piece of furniture and a burgundy banquette. The main bar area is a good size and stretches down to a pool table and a projector screen at the far end. The decor consists of Damask wallpaper, gold cornicing, dark wood wainscoting and a proper pub carpet.

The beer selection offers a line up mainstream keg brands and one cask ale. I decided on a Cruzcampo, my pint was most agreeable, price point was below average. The food option is new with @deadpedros taking up residency serving up Mexican street food.

I arrived just after 3pm on a drizzly Saturday afternoon in February. The pub was fairly quiet to start but filled up quickly and was buzzing in no time at all. The Rugby was on mute on the screens around the bar whilst a soulful soundtrack played in the background. The service was great, the team on duty were down to earth and friendly.

I met up with Jamie from @tour_de_sarnie for a couple of pints and spoke about, yes you guessed it, London Pubs and London’s best Sarnies places. His Insta is one of my favourite accounts, a must follow if want to know where London’s best handheld eats are.

I have visited this pub a number of times over the years and never got around to doing an actual post about it. This is a lovely oldschool boozer that offers a warm and friendly local pub experience. Next time you’re over in Bow, be sure to check out @thisisthebowbells

📅 15th February 2025

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