The Carpenter's Arms in Tower Hamlets - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Asked to leave because some late arriving members of our party were not of the right demographic. Cannot believe such discrimination exists - I understand that managers have the right to refuse service to anyone but to block out an entire subsection of people seems absurd.

The kitchen was closed, so couldn't try the food, but this is a very well balanced pub. Good drinks - a porter on tap and a large selection of single malts. Well- worn oldness, friendly young staff and even a little beer garden. I will come back.

Solid pub, good beer selection! Deffo a hidden gem

A great locals pub, lived opposite for 2 years and loved coming here. The pub has changed hands but the guys running it currently are doing a great job with bringing a vibrant atmosphere for a catch up or for a meal

Lovely clean pub and the guy behind the bar so friendly. A lovely pint and great value.

A great selection of wine, craft beer and whiskey; very good value

If you go in here looking for anything to do with "the kray twins" you won't have much luck really, however as a pub it's good, selection of beers is very different but reasonably priced, bar man was knowledgeable about what he was pouring which is always a good sign

Great pub lots of history blind bugger pub 10mins away visit both

Brilliant wee bar with a dark past

Great place, lovely atmosphere. Service was excellent - helpful and welcoming. Impressive selection of whiskies!

Incredible beers, beautiful orange wine and Italian quality meat and cheese board. Would recommend!

Astonishingly good. This goes instantly to the top of my London Tree. Approach from the north through the St Matthews (?) churchyard, down Its eponymous Row past two or three delightfully unreconstructed Victorian cottages, a classic London primary school and so to this, Violet Kray's corner boozer. Great porter, a decent beer or two, the one bar gives way to various nooks and crannies before ending in a spotlessly clean small courtyard sitooterie. But best of all this is without a shadow of a doubt the BEST MALT WHISKEY PUB in London. No rubbish. Just 20 or so utter classics heavy on the Islay and Cambeltown varieties. I dare you to name any other pub that can sell you a decent Glen Scotia/Hazelburn/ Longrow/Springbank and even a Springbank vatted/blended malt. As I said at the start...astonishing! When there it was full of a party if 20 or so speech/hearing i.paired folk who'd just finished their guided tour of St Matthew's. So heaving but silent, if you catch my drift!!

Perfect place to stop before the murder mystery express!

Great pub, bartender on the Sunday we visited couldn't do enough for us. Food very good. Strongly recommend moving 2 mins away from the madness of Brick Lane to have a pint here.

Great pub, nice staff. Only tried the meat and cheese plate which was good, and the rest of the food looked good as well.

An excellent and in keeping renovation to this charming back street corner pub. Decent beer selection but if I was being fussy a bit more rotation of the beers would be welcome.

Lovely tucked away old school pub. Superb service, atmos and beers.

Only popped in for a quick one but seemed a nice little pub with a good beer selection and friendly staff!

Nicky made my experience at the computer arms fantastic. Cider isnt too sweet isnt too dry, straight down the middle. How i like it.

Only popped in for a beer. Good range - including Belgium and German bottled beers. And if you like whiskey there seemed masses of choice. Can’t comment on the food.

Great to see the place thriving again, good simple food, great drinks and great staff. We came last after Covid and it was sad to see how much it had impacted the place. Highly recommended

Very friendly little English pub, I highly recommend.

Nice traditional End pub. Friendly service and good choice of beers.

Bad staff, really didn’t enjoy the guy behind the bar. A great range of quality German beers and top notch spirits. Good food, too!

Really nice pub, cosy, welcoming. Staff are best if experienced in a London pub. Dead knowledgeable, friendly and attentive.

Hands down best pub in the area. Been going here for years and never had a bad time. Great selection of beers, great food, great vibes and the staff are always so nice. Just wish I lived a bit closer.

good food, good beer, good music, good service. what else you need ? :)

Very comfy pub with a cool mix of beers and a few ciders!

Great find off the beaten path! You can get a pint at every pub in London. This place has the best and largest selection of whiskey I’ve ever seen in a pub. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Not to mention the colorful history of the place.

Best pub in London :), lucky it’s my local!

Love this little pub! Good selection of beers and tasty food. Lovely atmosphere.

The Carpenters has come back to its glory days. The new management have really brought the pub back to life, without impacting its proper pub character. This has not gone unnoticed, as it’s now drawing great crowds of people . . . . who, clearly, enjoy the atmosphere. Lastly, the friendly demeanour of Gab, Dan, Nikki and the rest of the staff does the pub proud. Definitely visit!

I can’t fault them for the decor, they’ve done well since taking over. What I cannot accept is the delusions of grandeur they have with the pricing… £39 for a bottle of Red Wine is Central London prices not some backstreet East End boozers prices! It’s also the same with the spirits and other drinks prices. Great to hear they are doing food again but the menu choice is poor to say the least. Could be great if they stopped ripping Customers off and sorted out the prices. It’s the Eastend not the Ritz!

Travelled from Liverpool to visit Bethnel Green as we wanted to experience the Krays scene for our Son's 18th. We received a lovely welcome in the Blind Beggar and then looked forward to a trip to the Carpenters which was was once owned by the Krays. After entering we were informed that they don't allow under 21's in there? It seems they make the rules up as they go along as I understand the government legal age is 18? We are visiting the area again in February but will definitely avoid this place.

Didn't eat there (haven't in years) but it is the quint essential pub off the beaten track

Lovely bar , owner was super friendly, didn't have food but what I saw come out looked good

Incredible pub, fantastic choice of craft beers, excellent cocktails and whiskey list - just wow. Personal is extremely friendly. Best pub in East London, not less.

Cosy east end boozer with friendly staff and reasonably priced. Also has an excellent beer selection: 12 taps with a range of local and regional beers

Friendly barman, good beer on tap. Good background music, easy to chat to friends

Had a brilliant time here last night - staff were friendly, the vibe is really lovely inside and the food is incredible - chicken burger with hot honey, yes please. One of my top five london pubs.

Delighted that the CA reopened this year ... has firmly re-established its position as my 'local' .. Gab, Chan, Nikki & Dan are all amazing offering great service, banter and the local goss .. the CA has a great selection of whiskey, and they're constantly adding new ones .. I'm not a beer drinker but have been told they do a very good selection... can't wait until they get their kitchen/food service in place as autumn/winter approaches. Lots of old regular locals returning, which is always a good sign of a great local.

Lovely little pub. Excellent selection of beers. Staff were lovely & welcoming and the music playlist was amazing. A gem of a pub and welcome retreat from the bustle of Brick Lane/Shoreditch.

Elegantly restored East End boozer that preserves all of its old world charm while embracing the best that modern indie breweries have to offer. It really is the exemplar for what a 21st century Freehouse should be. The service is exceptional with friendly and knowledgeable staff behind the bar. Treat yourself and step off the throng of Brick Lane for a truly special experience

Great pub, owned the kray twins mum. Superb clean and friendly.

Possibly the best little pub in the whole of London Town and beyond

Awesome atmosphere and great beer. This pub went downhill a lot in recent years, but it’s got new owners and it’s really reclaimed its former glory. It’s calm, great music (not deafening), amazing selection of beer and wine. Would make a great place for a date.

Haven't eaten at the Carpenters so cannot comment on food. Everything else is good. Good people working, they know their stuff. Good range of beers and everything that makes a good bar set up. Especially nice small outdoor space. Decor's well considered. Worth a visit

Very friendly and attentive staff wherein they ensure that tables are cleaned/wiped as soon as client(s) leave. Very lively atmosphere.

This intimate little pub has everything! Class, character and local east end history. True to its roots, but also renovated to the highest standard. So impressed, you can really escape the world in this place🍺👌

We stumbled across this pub when we were waiting for an event to start. It was a hot day, we were tired and thirsty and we needed some help with one of our phones. The barman was super helpful, the drinks were lovely and well priced. The setting was all good and the toilets were surprisingly nice! We could have happily stayed all night

Dropped in for a pint after a meal, and it was well worth it. Can’t comment on the food as we only drank beer. The staff were super friendly, the place super clean and great attention to detail. Great selection of beers on tap and will be back for more!

Small, cosy pub with good service before the immersive dining experience at pedley street station

Came a long way to see this famous pub. However, you wouldn't have known it. I was really saddened to find the only picture of the famous Kray brothers outside of the toilet doors. It should be in the bar, with other memorabilia. We went there for food, but sadly, the kitchen is being refurbished, so no food is available, even though it is still on the net. The pub is clean and tidy, staff really nice.

Cheeky pint in a pub previously owned by the Krays. Brilliant selection of beers too.

Such a friendly pub, the staff in there were amazing. History ❤️

Under new ownership. Massive improvement, renovation work was much needed and the place looks stunning. The beer selection is now very decent (mainly craft) + huge wine and whisky collection. Staff is great. Outside seating on a quiet street + small beer garden. No food. Prices: ~£6.50 for a pint

One of my favorite pubs in the Shoreditch area. Recently refurbished and really friendly staff

Cracking pub just away from Brick Lane madness. Amazing beer and wine selection with very friendly staff.

Great beer range in an inviting space. Very contemporary

Chill place, good vibes. Two gluten free lagers available on tap!! They let us bring food from outside whilst their kitchen was closed for renovation :)

As you'd expect a pub. Nothing outstanding.

Changed ownership again. Now set up as a craft pub. Great selection of fixed and rotating lines. Nice decor, renovated to a very high standard. Staff were wonderful, especially Dan. Knowledgeable, friendly. Owner policy not to allow kids or dogs later on (after 7, I believe) might be restrictive. Hugely recommend checking out this pub if that isn't a factor for you. Kudos to all involved

Shout out to Dan. Absolute gentleman, who’s knowledge of drinks is amazing. What a great experience. Thank you guys

The legendary Gab is helpful and knowledgable of all things Whisky, Beer and Wine. Great space, tastefully laid out. Exceptional beer selection!

Excellent little pub with great snug areas and a really nice courtyard, brilliant selection of beers and wines, and a proper spicy bloody mary! Wonderful little gem with cracking staff, hope it stays this way and I look forward to seeing the kitchen developed.

Love this place! Lovely staff and great nails BTW... You know who you are! Had a few glasses wine & beer... Just perfect.... Can't wait till they get their food menu going again... Hope the scotch egg is back on!

Great pub with a good range of beers and we loved the vibe.

Amazing pub with friendliest staff and awesome craft beers. When we were here the kitchen wasn’t working yet, but I bet when it does, it’ll be a gem.

Really nice little classic British boozer. Wish this was my local!

Amazing local pub with clean toilets and delicious beers ❤️❤️❤️

Recently re-opened. Perfectly kept beers!

I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to discriminate on the grounds of age. NO CHILDREN IN THE PUB….. what ??? This is a pub in East London where we live because we are free of unnecessary rules. It’s a melting pot where everyone gels and feels welcome. The new owner has misjudged the golden rule of running a business in Shoreditch. Look after your locals and have fun. So just imagine ….i’m looking after a two year old and want to pop in for a quick drink at 6pm on the way back from the park…and I’m banned… or is it the two year old that’s banned Great thanks for looking after us. This pub has a heritage and you’ve totally ignored it. You will probably be hanging around really quiet once the locals have sussed you out.

Agree with Naomi. To not allow children is diabolical and not sure if it is legal - age discrimination? The new ‘vibe’ is obviously the desire for an empty pub.

My visit was on the opening night, the interior has been tastefully decorated with a stripped back natural feel . There are many nods to the pubs history and heritage . It's no secret that this pub is on the Kray trail . Now in the trusty hands of the old manager from the critically acclaimed Axe pub in Stoke Newington. We were greeted by a modern well curated draught list with 2 cask beers also available. The wine list is impressive and very reasonably priced . There's always room good pubs in this area as the only other place I can think of nearby would be the pride of spitalfields. If you find yourself in the area then make sure to check the place out

Nice to be back at the Carpenters after a hiatus of a few years! We got a very pleasant welcome from the staff and I enjoyed the Sundialer pale ale from Verdant, on offer amongst a very decent selection of local and international beers. Great atmosphere overall with beautiful chilled out music and I look forward to returning regularly.

This is our local pub and we have been here for years. The management has changed and honestly they are heartless. We sat in the courtyard with our baby only to be told that the new management do not accept babies or dogs. They feel it is not the right ‘vibe.’ This pub has been serving the locals for decades and has been a place for many families, dog lovers and even baby groups. Highly disappointed and I hope others complain too.

Fantastic place tended by Gabor. Just be cognizant of the fact that the kitchen is still closed. The history behind this place is amazing. Just ask the bartender for the scoop.

Just visited after the refurbishment in 2023. Lovely little pub (though much bigger on the inside than you expect) with good selections of craft beer & wine. There were a lot of interesting spirits on the shelves if you're in to that as well. The pub was clean and the staff were very friendly. My only regret was that it was a bit too cold to try out the garden!

Brilliant pub which has recently reopened. The new management are very friendly, welcoming and the place has great service and drinks. Highly recommend!

Terrible, closed bar early with no warning, turned away for a Sunday drink even though multiple people seated.

Kinda disappointed that on Google it said it was open. Turned up and it was closed with a hand written sign saying its closed

Two words, “wow”, “wow”, and another “wow”. The ambience is nothing short of electric. The crowd, staff, and decor can only be described as, you guessed it… MESMERIC. If you’re looking for somewhere with a loudspeaker connected to the best cassette records of 1975, you’ve come to the correct place. The surround sound systems is an audio visual experience, complemented by the finest 480p pixelated projector that can only be described as the 8th wonder of the world. The staff are very accommodating - we were allowed to walk around bare foot during the busy period, which really gave us a true feel for the place. Will be back before you can say “Captain, a pint of your finest please sir (HA-HA).

Just went there and it’s closed. Google must be late knowing!

The Carpenter's Arms, a small corner pub in the south west of Bethnal Green. Shabby chic describes well. An extra star for having cask ales on. My first £7.00 pint for a taste of Spaten. Not enough love and feeling given to the pub. Only customer and zero staff (except when served). Too much delivery clutter in the bar, prices demand more. Shame but maybe better next time.

£7 a pint. Non existent service. Avoid

I mean it’s a historical pub and that’s all well and good but £8 a pint?? Seems ridiculously steep. £5.90 a pint at our equally historical local (The Grapes) in Limehouse about a mile from here.

An Australian friend working over here wanted to visit this pub on his list of things to do, as it was formerly owned by the KrayTwins and their mother.

Nice pub with surprising amount of seating

Such a great spot, just hidden from the bustle of Brick Lane. Excellent Guinness, and the beer garden is even more of a hideout.

Water leaking in the ladies toilet seeping up under the floor tiles. Would revisit pleasant place.

Loved the visit it's ace. Would move near by for it to be my local if I had to.. Off the beaten track. Liked the decoration and atmosphere of this pub a lot - chilled and relaxing. Although the pub has history the relevance is subtle. Great range of beers, ales and other options. Glad to find Cwtch 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 on the menu. Good atmosphere. Could be our local if we were living in the area.

A welcoming pub these days. Thoroughly recommended if you're passing through the East End.

Lovely little pub with a strong beer selection and friendly staff

Great pub, really great range of beers…but! All the beer is over carbonated and tastes the same.

Nice but rediculous price on soft drinks. More than alcohol.

Comfortable pub with great selection of beers.

Lovely local bar in El Born barrio. Quality drinks and good cocktail knowledge. Perfect for a vermut or spirits as they have a good range.

Great pub friendly staff and great atmosphere!

Lovely little haunt - perhaps a tad on the pricey side, but a great place to hunker down nevertheless

Regardless of changing ownership, always a great place to drink.