Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 2 and Version 1 of King William IV, E10 6AE

Version 2 Version 1
== Line 2 == == Line 2 ==
For all its outward Victorian gin palace style, the strength of this place is in its unflashiness. There are two extensive rooms with no shortage of tables, and banquette seating along one long wall, with bars serving both (though on our late evening visit, only the front was being serviced). Large TV screens hang up above each room, one showing sport, though the sound isn't too loud. Some of the Victorian fittings have been retained, with the old Ind Coope branding still visible on the ornate mirrored bar backs.
For all its outward Victorian gin palace style, the strength of this place is in its unflashiness. There are two extensive rooms with no shortage of tables, and banquette seating along one long wall, with bars serving both (though on our late evening visit, only the front was being serviced). Large TV screens hang up above each room, one showing sport, though the sound isn't too loud. The old Victorian fittings have been retained, with the old Ind Coope branding on the ornate mirrored bar back.
== Line 20 == == Line 20 ==
edit_type='Minor tidying'
edit_type='Normal edit'
== Line 28 == == Line 28 ==
major_change='0'
major_change='1'

A large and imposing Victorian building which houses a very respectable brewpub, near the Bakers' Arms intersection in Leyton. The rather unusual name refers to the pub's own on-site microbrewery, the Sweet William.

For all its outward Victorian gin palace style, the strength of this place is in its unflashiness. There are two extensive rooms with no shortage of tables, and banquette seating along one long wall, with bars serving both (though on our late evening visit, only the front was being serviced). Large TV screens hang up above each room, one showing sport, though the sound isn't too loud. The old Victorian fittings have been retained, with the old Ind Coope branding on the ornate mirrored bar back.

Beyond the rear bar is a small beer garden area, attractively laid out with plants, and fenced off from the street, open to the sky for smokers, but with a bit of covered bench seating. Inside, there's an open fire which may be used during the winter. In short, it's a comfortable well-kept pub with plenty of seating, a diverse clientele, friendly staff and a great range of beer.

In fact, it's the beer that provides the key to the place's success. Their own ale, Brodie's, is on the majority of the eleven handpulls on the main bar (there's another five on the rear bar, but these appear to not be in use), and available for the very favourable price of £1.99 a pint. This itself would be some recompense if the beer were disappointing, but it's certainly not that, and covers a good range of styles. Being summer on our June 2009 visit, the ales available on handpull were lighter golden ones, such as the Amarilla (the pick of the ones we tried, with a fruity tang), English, and Red. However, plenty of others are available bottled, and seasonal brews such as a Mild and a Porter are also sometimes available.

Apart from the house brew, Crouch Vale's Crouch Best, Fuller's ESB, and Dabinett cider were also on handpull, with a chalkboard listing some upcoming ales. In addition, draught taps dispense Guinness and lagers, including San Miguel and other usual suspects.

There's a short food menu on a chalkboard, and comments on the web suggest they offer decent Thai food in the evening, though as Ewan and Kake visited after 10pm, we couldn't confirm.

See also:

Last visited by Ewan and Kake, 8 June 2009.

List all versions