CityStack is a membership that aims to support independent pubs and to discover new venues. Members purchase a pack for 25.00 pounds, and they can visit ten pubs out of a list of more than seventy pubs across London and get ten pounds off when they spend twenty pounds. This means that visiting three pubs will pay for the membership itself. I received this gift at an event a little over a year ago and used it last year. I had two packets to use. This packet specified that visitors must trade or stamp a coaster for the pub discount, and I visited all ten pubs, even the three of them that were very much out of my way.
The Dog and Bell - Deptford
This pub is a bit out of the way. I spent more than 40.00 here in order to use two vouchers, and I had a glass of wine, two gin and tonics, a delicious Sunday roast, and a lemon tart dessert. The pub is large with a lot of seating inside and out, and it is pleasant inside with a quirky traditional pub decor. The pub hosts events throughout the year, such as a pickle festival. I went in late September on a Sunday and enjoyed the roast chicken, vegetables, and a rather large Yorkshire pudding. I would return here.
Skehan's - Nunhead
Skehan's is a family-owned and run Irish pub; the owners are from Ireland and Thailand respectfully, and both cultures thrive with the food and drink. The pub serves delicious Thai cuisine. I spent over fourty pounds here on a couple of gin and tonics and a bottle of white wine. The food had to be paid for separately and not with the voucher. I also enjoyed seeing a local cat that seems to be a regular at the pub, and the pub is situated on a hill with views over London's skyline. I would return for the delicious food.
Princess of Wales - Primrose Hill
Another gem is the Princess of Wales in Primrose Hill, which I visited last August. The pub has a wonderful gin selection, so I had a couple of gin and tonics, spicy margarita, chicken kebab, and brownie. I spent over fourty pounds here and enjoyed the gin especially. The pub has a lower level with street art in a "garden". I would return for the delicious gin selection.
Highbury Barn - Highbury and Islington
This pub is near where I first lived and worked when I moved to London, although I never actually walked up this direction to my knowledge. I spent over fourty pounds here on a passionfruit martini, glass of wine, chicken burger, and sticky toffee pudding. I visited the pub in October last year.
Horn of Plenty - Stepney Green
This east London pub seems to be popular with locals and students and hosts pub quizzes. I visited in early October and spent fourty pounds on drinks - cocktails, wine, and gin and tonics. The pub did not serve its own food when I visited, but I was able to have a pizza delivered (cost not included with the voucher).
Crown and Shuttle - Shoreditch
I have visited this pub before with colleagues when I used to work in the area. Apparently, it used to be a gentleman's club before it became a pub, and the pub serves a lot of different beers and always had a "hipster" vibe common with most venues in the area. I spent fourty pounds here on wine and gin and tonic and a cocktail as well as a vegetarian sandwich (panini) and chips.
The Gladstone Arms - Borough
This family-owned and run pub is popular for its Anglo-Indian food, and the food really is delicious. Live music and quizzes are hosted here, and the pub seems to have built its own community. I spent fourty pounds here on a curry pie (the English pie with an Indian twist), and it was delicious. I would return here for the delicious food.
Hansom Cab - Kensington
This west London pub was once owned by Piers Morgan and is owned by two brothers. The pub is known for its beer selection; it's a shame I dislike beer. I spent over fourty pounds on cocktails and food. There is a nice cocktail list here, and the food was tasty. I had a chicken burger and chips. I would visit again.
The Bow Bells - Bow / Mile End
This east London pub is family-owned and a typical example of an east end pub and has large televisions broadcasting sports. The decor is "homely" with old photographs on the walls, and with the bright orange frontag, the pub is not easy to miss. This pub seems to be popular with the locals. I visited it in late August last year and spent over fourty pounds on gin and tonic and food. I had the chicken burger and chips. I found the pub to be a pleasant space, although I did have to wait awhile for the food.
Hawke - Hackney
The pub is located very near to Victoria Park and seems to be popular with the community. Service was friendly, and I was shown a lot of different and unique gins, which I tried. I spent one voucher here and also ordered the food - basically a chicken schnitzel.
I enjoyed trying these pubs and found a few gems. I also purchased another couple of voucher packs to explore more pubs or to return to some of the ones I liked. The new vouchers allow you to visit any pubs in the list of independent participating pubs across London. I visited all of these pubs in this post last year.
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