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25-03-2012, 12:30
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http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBMvetTgdEs/TwrwGrvEhwI/AAAAAAAAAIg/K186I75oH60/s320/6145349270_5a5b57f46c.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBMvetTgdEs/TwrwGrvEhwI/AAAAAAAAAIg/K186I75oH60/s1600/6145349270_5a5b57f46c.jpg)


Photo from Ewan Munro's (http://www.flickr.com/photos/55935853@N00/6145349270/in/set-72157625279764242) excellent Flickr account.


Somepubs just have something about them. It’s a feeling of coming home, of comfort.It makes you feel relaxed, like you could go any time with anyone and stillhave that feeling, and it makes you happy to be there. Not many pubs make me feelthat way, but jumping on the Central Line to Leytonstone there’s one whichdoes.


TheRed Lion (https://twitter.com/#!/red_lion_e11) is part of Antic (http://www.antic-ltd.com/) pub company who have 25 venues around London,mostly in those up-and-coming areas, all the way from N16 to SE27 via E11 andSW17. They share a similar simple worn-cool design and a considered food anddrink offer. Before taking the Red Lion over it was called Zulus, a late-nightvenue, but it dates back to the 18th century as a pub.


http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpln66ITrU1qcr2xo.jpg (http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpln66ITrU1qcr2xo.jpg)


Photo from here (http://blogandduck.tumblr.com/post/8638030795/the-red-lion-leytonstone-e11).


LeavingLeytonstone tube station, it’s a two-minute walk to find the imposing pub on the cornerof the High Road. Outside the huge windows front it in a frame of columns; frominside the windows are even more impressive, giving light and openness. The ceiling is high, thefloors are wooden, the tables are unmatched and spread around with some fordining and some for drinking. There’s sofas, board games, bookcases and lots of little details to keep you looking for more.


Forbeer, the first T-bar is given to lagers, mostly big brands, but step furtheralong and it gets more interesting. The cask soldiers all line up with beersfrom across the UK - Dark Star, Brentwood, Red Squirrel, Thornbridge, Otley andmore, then comes another T-bar but this one is of cool craft kegged beer – PunkIPA, Schlenkerla, Odell IPA and more, plus a fridge filled with good worldbeer. The food looks great, too, mostly simple grub done well. The best thingis the atmosphere. It’s lively but light, fun and open, friendly with familiesmixing with groups of young guys and girls. The music is excellent, thelighting just right. Everything just works.


Inmany ways, I think this is a template for any new pub. It’s a modern local, thesort that works for those nearby but also pulls people from further away. It’sa nice place to be, the food is simple but well done, the staff are great, there’svery good beer and a good selection of ciders, wines and spirits. There’s alsoa concession to the less adventurous beer drinkers, but as many pubs have twoT-bars, why should they both serve the same branded lagers? Why not dedicateone to better, more interesting beer. That’s the first step in a gooddirection.


Ilike the Red Lion a lot. Of all the pubs in London, I’d put it in my top 3.


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