King William IV

King William IV

This pub was editorially chosen for inclusion by Londonist.

William was among the dullest of monarchs, reigning for just seven years and sandwiched between the much more noteworthy George IV and Victoria. His namesake pub couldn't be more different, full of character, characters and, which is more, a staggering amount of beer.

Brodie's runs the show and dominates the draught pumps, with eight or nine of their own concoctions brewed on site. The current crop take their names from trendy areas of town, including the Old Street (hoppy and light), Bethnal Green bitter (a murkier tipple) and a Hackney red IPA. Everything we sampled was superb, as was the barman — the double of Tom Hardy. To cap it all, the prices are from another decade, all coming in below the £3 mark. Food is also exceptionally good value.

The pub itself is a real charmer — decidedly old-school with a carpet, bar billiards, hanging baskets and roaring fire (in May!), and effortlessly welcoming to one and all. It deserves more custom than it was getting mid-afternoon on a Saturday. Incidentally, this pub ticks more of our 'features' boxes than anything else in the database. Just see the list of attributes in the blue boxes below.

Quiz night is Sunday.

Last updated May 2015.

A roaring fire in May.
A roaring fire in May.
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Ye olde menu.
Ye olde menu.
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Could this be the perfect pub?
Could this be the perfect pub?

Address: 816 High Road Leyton London E10 6AE

Phone: 020 8556 2460

Website:
/pubs/king-william-iv

Monday: 11am-midnight

Tuesday: 11am-midnight

Wednesday: 11am-midnight

Thursday: 11am-midnight

Friday: 11am-1am

Saturday: 11am-1am

Sunday: noon-midnight

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