Once under the rule of East End gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray (and apparently run by their old mum), the Carpenter’s Arms is now a friendly local. Middle-aged men with loosened ties drink alongside trendy fellas in Breton stripes and girls in retro dresses.
That doesn’t mean the place has lost its heritage though. The decor is traditional: wooden panelling meets a cream paint job. A painting of the bad-boys-with-hearts-of-gold sits on the wall at the back-end of the pub, and two huge chalkboards list the place’s extensive beer selection. There are 55 bottled beers and 10 draughts available, sourced both locally and from across the globe. There are also around a dozen wines and small menu of classic British pub fare. On a weeknight, it’s busy enough to enjoy a drink in a buzzy atmosphere, but quiet enough to bag a bar stool or table within 15 minutes.