Chesham Arms in Hackney

Sadly this lovely original old pub refuses to accept cash as form of payment... Having visited for birthday drinks with a group of friends, it was a disappointment to discover that the company refuses to accept cash (legal tender) as payment for items sold in the pub. So we were unable to stay here due to lack of accepted ways to pay. So disappointing that a pub would behave like this. Especially when the locals - myself included - campaigned and fought to keep the pub open - against the ideas gentrification developers.

Lovely building. Shame about the awful attitude of the staff, the worst bar service I have ever experienced. First round of drinks fine, no issues. Went to order a second round. One of the beers was flat. Went back to the bar and was told “it’s supposed to taste that way”. After insisting was given a different drink. Went back to my seat and 5 minutes later the bar staff turned up at the table with the card machine insisting I pay for replacement beer, as I should have “tried the beer first”. Incredibly rude way to treat customers. So many great pubs to choose from nearby why bother when the staff give you attitude like this

I love this pub and have been using it for many years. Until today. I realise that times are difficult for pubs at the moment and I'm happy to comply with any restrictions they may have to adhere to. Today, I arrived with no reservation, just to see if I could get in. I was cordially greeted and told that I could have a table, as long as I vacated that table at a certain time because it was booked. I agreed and was led to the table. Half an hour later I was told by the same person that I no longer needed to vacate the table and I could stay as long as I wanted. Very nice guy. I ordered another drink and about 30 minutes later, a different member of staff came up to my table and just stood and looked at me. He then tapped on the table with his pen. Odd, I thought. So, I said, "What?" He said, "You know you should only have this table till a certain time." I explained to him that I'd been told differently. He demanded to know by whom. And then left. He didn't return to tell me it was ok, or not. Now, I don't want to be here. On my way out, I asked the staff member why he was so aggressive with me. He told me, "It's my job." Won't be going back for a long time. Or taking my 60 strong birthday party there as originally planned. Just be civil to people. It's not hard. But don't forget, It's their job to be rude and aggressive so be prepared.

Buen ambiente, todo fue perfecto, ambiente relajado, buena comida, personal muy amable. Definitivamente regresaremos

Reabierto en 2015 después de una larga batalla peleada por la comunidad local contra los desarrolladores de propiedades, este lugar ahora es un pub próspero que siempre parece tener una buena multitud cada vez que he visitado. Es un pub simple y tradicional con un par de áreas de asientos de tamaño decente y un bonito jardín grande en la parte trasera. Tienen cuatro cervezas de barril disponibles, así como al menos una sidra real y una sólida selección de cervezas artesanales de barril, con la cerveza de barril generalmente en las mejores condiciones en mi experiencia. No hacen comida internamente, pero tienen un acuerdo con una compañía local de pizzas que le permite ordenar al pub. Hubo un incendio en el camino en mi reciente visita, lo que ayudó a que se sintiera agradable y acogedor en una fría noche de invierno. Se admiten niños en el pub hasta las 20:00 y también se admiten perros. Un excelente pub que debería ser atractivo si te gustan los pubs locales y la cerveza de barril de buena calidad.

Lovely little local pub with lots of character. Staff were incredibly friendly and made a real fuss of our dog. They don’t serve food but you can order pizza from a nearby takeaway, which was pretty nice, but took 50 mins to deliver at lunchtime on a Saturday...

Love this little pub, great open fires and good beers, a really lovely atmosphere, what a gem and how lucky for the locals. They don’t have a kitchen but there is a pizza menu which is delivered.

Love love love this pub! Especially in wintertime when the fireplaces have been lit! Very dog friendly and decent beer selection. Would stay away from the wine though. No food but they allow you to order in pizza from Yard Sale in Clapton. Massive back garden which is great in summer time..

We live very close by and can't believe we haven't been here before. The Chesham Arms is lovely pub full of character. Very close to Hackney Central station on a cosy Victorian terrace but away from the noise and traffic of Mare Street. It has a traditional inside area with a fire and a very large and cosy outside beer garden with space heaters. We had just had lunch so we weren't able to fit in the Yard Pizza which can be delivered but sampled a delicious sausage roll from the bar. Many people around us ordered the pizza which looked extremely tempting. Lots of craft beers and wine available. Very chill for enjoying a drink on a Sunday. We will definitely be back again! This place is definitely deserving of many more positive reviews from others.

Refugees from the A102, we came upon a Sunday clear of traffic jams - in search of Beer.. No sign of Dianne Abbot, but still the friendliest welcome to a bar stocked with great craft beers and a respectable wine list - £4.50 for a medium glass, as at Sept 2017. Opening as a "community" pub a couple of years back, this is the place where the locals bring their Families, friends and Tinder dates. Outside there is a beer garden and veranda with a sunny outlook and great view of the railway arches. Bare floorboards, two fireplaces, board games on the (in tune) piano. What's not to like? Dive in here.. you'll be safe and welcomed - we were. They don't do food.. but the local pizza place delivers to your table.