The Hungerford Arms — Restaurant in London

I currently live in Tallinn, Estonia and spend a great deal of time in Helsinki as well - trust me, I know a thing or two about drinking, and I'm especially attracted by bars and pubs with a genuine character and a warm atmosphere when I decide to stop for a pint.

These days, wherever I happen to be in the world, it's getting harder and harder to find establishments with a personality and local crowd that strike a chord, especially in big cities.

The Hungerford Arms was a fantastic surprise for me last night, and it made me forget I had been awake for almost 72 hours following a short and mildly insane trip to Liverpool (that's another story though).

Entered the place by complete chance while heading home, attracted by the proper British exteriors. Thought I'd have a quick drink but stayed for a few pints until closing time instead.

The pleasantly loud music, the chatty local customers watching cricket and horse racing on TV, ordering beer from a very respectable selection (at prices that are surprisingly competitive in this day and age: a decent pint for less than 4.5 euro is hard if not impossible to find anywhere else in London; in Tallinn and Helsinki, to go back to the cities mentioned above, I'd pay no less than 5 and 8 euro respectively for the same, and I'm being conservative) or playing at the pool table, the very characteristic interiors rich in wood panels, UK flags and countless little details will make you fall in love with this pub instantly.

Speaking of love, not sure if Amy or Emily or how exactly she is called, the barmaid for the night was absolutely gorgeous, unique and refreshing in her looks, oozing personality and emanating a beautiful aura that attracted everyone in there - not to mention that she could properly serve a refreshing Guinness. If I'm not coming back to tell you in person before you read this, just know that you're amazing!

All in all, a splendid pub with an atmosphere that somehow transported me out of the glass city and into a very real community of authentic people, perhaps closer to the London of old. It may even play a tiny part if I ever decide to move to the big metropolis, because I know there will always be a place where I can feel welcome as more than just a...

🚇 Shadwell 🍺 £3.80 Fosters ❤️ A no frills down to earth locals boozer. . The Hungerford Arms is located on busy Commercial Road in Shadwell. Getting here is easy, Shadwell overground and Shadwell DLR are close by. . This pub was built in 1851 by the Watney Combe Reid brewery, even though a little battered, the pub still retains its Watney sign at the front of the pub. . This is a small, compact and cosy pub with one long thin bar. The servery runs down the right hand side with low level tables and chairs opposite. At the far end of the bar is a pool table, fruity and a TV that had the horse racing on when I visited. . The beer line up is simple and was geared up to suit the locals. I had a pint of Fosters, the Amber Nectar was a decent pint and cost less than four quid. The pub doesn’t serve food but there were bar snacks available. . I arrived around 4.30pm on a Saturday afternoon and the pub was busy with a local crowd in attendance. The one thing community pubs really struggle with is succession, luckily here there were a few younger lads in frequenting the pub who hopefully are part of the pub’s future. The backdrop was created by the fairly loud jukebox, Uptown Top Ranking came on by Anthea & Donna which put a big smile on my face. . The East End of London’s pub landscape has been decimated over the last twenty years. The majority of pubs that have closed are wet led community pubs, cultural and lifestyle shifts plus the recent cost of living crisis have meant that pubs like this are vulnerable due to the fact that the next wave of punters are simply not there unless gentrification ensues. Support your local, use it or lose it. . ℹ️ Info correct on...

This is an old skool London boozer. For some people it will be intimidating; groups of working class white blokes in their 40s / 50s stand outside smoking cigarettes.. you have to push through to get inside.

Trust me, don't be afraid, go inside and order a drink at the bar and make friends.

The locals are lovely: lots of characters and some salty language etc.. but that's what pubs always used to be about.. if you go inside and are polite and friendly you'll have a great time..

I only had a couple of drinks at lunch as needed to kill an hour, but if I lived nearby I'd make it my local.

...but you got to be aware of your surroundings, don't go in and ask for the latest craft beer or a coffee with organic milk, it ain't that sort of gaff..!

Also a definite shout out to the bar ladies: they knew all the regulars, had lots of banter but also welcomed me (a stranger)

...don't think...