The Archers Bricklane

A traditional pub on the outskirts of Brick Lane, The Archers doesn’t quite have the character or quirkiness some might be after in this hip end of east London, but it does have a good selection of beers and a welcoming atmosphere.

The Venue:

Just around the corner from Aldgate East station, The Archers pub sits at the end of Osborn Street just before it becomes Brick Lane. No surprise, then, that it’s surrounded by nothing but Indian restaurants. This probably explains why The Archers doesn’t offer food – why would you bother ordering a cheese sandwich or steak and ale pie when you can smell curry wafting through the door?

The Archers is small inside, with only five tables, so you’ll usually find at least a couple of people sitting at the bar. The décor is fairly traditional and there’s something almost church-like about it thanks to the faux-stained glass windows, church pews and the sign on the wall declaring ‘A barrel of ale works more miracles than a church full of saints’. The furniture feels a little moth-eaten, but they get away with it, since the rest of the pub is clean and cosy. Tables are divided into nooks by a wooden panel so there’s plenty of privacy.

The Atmosphere:

It starts getting busy here from around 4pm onwards and you can expect to see local construction workers and tourists as well as office types filing in after work. Background rock music gives an upbeat atmosphere but really this is a chilled pub meant for a relatively quiet, laid-back drink rather than a full-on night out. That said, The Archers has been hosting karaoke on a Friday night for years, so presumably things get a bit more lively then.

The Drink:

On draught, The Archers offers John Smith’s, Guinness, Foster’s, Stella, Kronenbourg and Strongbow. Between 11am and 7pm all beers are on offer at two pints for £6.

The Last Word:

A couple of steps from Brick Lane, The Archers doesn’t quite have that cool east London vibe that guarantees its neighbours are packed to the rafters. But it’s comfortable and friendly and far closer to a tube home than the likes of The Big Chill, so it’s definitely worth a visit if you want a quiet drink without the hassle.