Eight photos of east London pubs by Jan Klos

What's the weirdest or most memorable moment in the pub?
Richard Battye, owner at the George & Dragon: 'Can I have the whole summer of 2003 as my memorable moment? The first summer at The George & Dragon. Radio Egypt parties were in full swing on Sunday nights with Jonny Woo at the helm. The Lovely Jonjo, simply sublime on a Friday night and Prince Nelly delivered The Retro Chart Rundown, both fresh and stale in perfect measures, every Monday. The George was still new and people were all getting to know each other and there was something near magical in the air. It was a boiling hot summer and seemed to last for ever. Of course, we were all deliciously drunk, so truly there are only fragments, odd moments, that I can properly remember!' 

What does east London mean to you?
Jonny Woo, co-founder: 'I think east London is still attractive to people because it's a place where you can find your own identity. I think this still exists even though people say otherwise.'

What's the weirdest or most memorable moment in the pub?
Zoe Argiros, co-founder: 'Our opening night was a really proud moment for me. We had a massive queue outside and it was full of everyone we knew. We were about two hours late but this queue of people we'd known for years and years just stayed and waited outside for us to open. That was a really special moment.'

What does east London means to you?
Rob Star, owner: 'East London means home to me, having lived here for the last 12 years, and put on hundreds of parties, opened three pubs in the area and done my fair share of "going out", I know I don't have to walk too far to see a familiar face. It's almost village like feel even though millions of people live here.'

What's the weirdest or most memorable moment in the pub?
'The most memorable moment in the pub for me were the first Batty Bass parties put on by Hannah Holland. The crowd was a real mix of people - straight, gay, fashionistas and local East Enders, with Hannah playing a mix of electro, house and jungle. The party went off every time! This was followed closely by a gig from Chas and Dave and an early appearance from Metronomy.'

What's the weirdest or most memorable moment in the pub?
Pauline Forster, owner: 'One of the strangest and most memorable events at The George was an evening called "The Moth Ball" in 2009. Guests were asked to dress in moth-eaten clothes and John Cooper Clarke, The Maggots and I put on a series of metamorphic performances. Dressed as a maggot I played the timpani drums and sang "There's Maggots in the Closet" breaking out of a cocoon amongst a mass of webs on stage.'

Do you have any famous punters?
'We have heaps of famous customers and fans including Kate Moss, Grace Jones, Nick Cave, Paloma Faith, Sir Ian McKellen, Ricky Wison.'

What does east London mean to you?
'We are in the middle of a massive shift in east London with developers swooping in for the kill with no regard for the area's culture and its people. We must fight to preserve our community and its important heritage. We are campaigning to preserve out future as a live music venue - click here to find out how you can help.'

What's the weirdest or most memorable moment in the pub?
Naomi Rogers, manager: 'There are loads of weird and memorable moments, but one that sticks out is when, on a busy Sunday, gorgeous local transvestite Le Gateau Chocolat, sitting at the corner of our packed bar, suddenly broke out in incredible operatic song, bringing in people from the bustling flower market outside and those dining upstairs. It gave me shivers - it was so wonderfully powerful. It felt like the whole building and street applauded when he finished.'

What does east London mean to you?
'Fascinating history, unkempt, creative, social, like-minded, my home away from home.'

What's the weirdest or most memorable moment in the pub?
Egil Johansen, owner: 'One of the most memorable moments at The Kenton for me was when a choir of 20 women from Norway came and sang Beatles songs! Just another example of the diversity of the East End and all it has to offer!'

What does east London mean to you?
'I was really proud to be accepted in the community. Here, I was an outsider from Norway opening a pub in east London. I was even more proud when I won best newcomer at the Great British Pub Awards.' 

What does east London mean to you?
Charlotte Anderton, bar manager: 'East London has a real mix of everything. It's got the young, fashionable and creative people, but also has some crazy characters and down-to-earth Cockneys. It's brilliant!'