Guest Post by Voice of Reason & Chicken Run Boy
Conducted on Saturday 23rd July 2016 by the Voice of Reason and Chicken Run Boy
Having sampled a couple of pubs near to Stratford station a couple of weeks ago in the company of Barney, Original Russ and Safehands, with the intention of finding a convenient watering hole near the new stadium, we decided to move areas and start at Hackney Wick station which, incidentally, is closer to the stadium than Stratford station (16 minute walk v. 18 minutes – and that’s before they put the Stratford diversions in place).
Now, for those who are unaware, Hackney Wick has become Hipster Central which, having been born in Hackney, I can’t really grasp – and I certainly don’t understand.
It would appear that the characteristics of Hipsterism are:
• Large beard (I have a small one but could get planning permission to extend, I’m sure)
• No socks (I never wear them at night)
• Talking bol**cks (I am highly qualified)Where I appear to fail is my inability to graffiti any vertical surface to enhance the verbal bol**cks with some visual ones. Chicken Run Boy also failed in this respect once I had thrown his aerosols into a convenient bin.
Anyway, we met outside Hackney Wick station well aware that we could find some drinking establishments that were not really ideal for several hundred West Ham fans but we travelled in hope and expectation.
Here’s what we found:
1. Crate Brewery & Pizzeria, Queens Yard, off White Post Lane
4 minutes from the station, 13 minutes from the stadium.
Craft beers, excellent pizzas (we sampled them) and, on a warm day which it was, great to sit outside by the river / canal (even Liddy doesn’t know which it is). Appeared to be very much a destination location with beards and bare ankles coming from every direction.
I’m not sure how well lots of football fans would go down here and the outside seating would become superfluous during the winter months.
Verdict: Hipster.
2. Howling Hops featuring Billy Smokes BBQ
Same address as Crate, above and the same distance from the stadium.
We didn’t actually go in this one and only noticed it as we were leaving Queens Yard.
Stuck our heads inside to see a large room with a bar at the end and long tables laid out very much like a 1930s Munich Beer Cellar.
Pretty empty apart from a goosestepping bloke at the back with a comedy moustache
Verdict: Hipster with fascist overtones.
3. The Lighthouse
421 Wick Lane
14 minutes from the station, 12 minutes from the stadium but that’s all pretty irrelevant because…..
it was closed and doesn’t open, according to the sign on the door, on either Saturdays or Sundays and when they do decide to give it a go they close at 9pm.
We heard later that it might have closed down altogether but this is unconfirmed.
Verdict: Neither Hipster or Herbert, or anything else for that matter.
4. Eleanor Arms
460 Old Ford Road
19 minutes from the station, 17 minutes from the stadium.
A proper, community-type pub which was open. Hallelujah, a drink at last! Well, two or three actually as it was a hot day and we had walked a long way.
Not a sports pub at all, no TVs, but pleasant enough.
Verdict: Herbert
5. The Builders Arms
302 Stratford High Street
25 minutes from Hackney Wick station but only 7 minutes from Stratford station. Directly opposite Stratford High Street DLR station. 15 minutes to the stadium.
Sizeable pub, sport shown on several TVs, some outside seating and the beer appeared to be cheap. We had a few here so can’t actually remember the prices.
Verdict: Herbert
We decided to call it a day after this one. Well it was a difficult task but we didn’t mind taking one for the team. What is becoming fairly evident is that there are not that many pubs conveniently situated for the Olympic Stadium which will no doubt please the bean counters at the club as it increases the chances of fans drinking at the venue itself.
In terms of travelling to the stadium, I think that going to Hackney Wick station will make it easier to get to the Stadium than Stratford where the majority of the crowd, including visiting fans, will surely go. Other options, depending where people are coming from, are DLR stations at Pudding Lane and Stratford High Street.
You’re welcome.