Royal Sovereign, Clapton  fancyapint.com rated pub, rated3 pints - click for an explanation of our ratings

location:

Clapton

address:

64 Northwold Road, E5 8RL

phone:

0871 258 5441*
* calls cost 10p/minute, click here for more about 0871 numbers.

nearest stations:

Clapton railway station
(400m)

Rectory Road railway station
(600m)

Stoke Newington railway station
(740m)

how to find it:

From Clapton train station, turn right and take the second left (Northwold Street). The pub is a few minutes down on the left. If you want to pretend its in Stoke Newington instead, exit from Stokey train station and turn left. Follow the one way system around as it veers to the left and at the park it will branch off to the left and become into Northwold Street. The pub is about 10 minutes down on the right.

click here for a larger map

picture of Royal Sovereign
The Royal Sovereign was the kind of Victorian boozer unlucky enough to be in one of those inner city areas that witnessed generations of terminal decline. Consequently no-one would've been surprised the day it quietly closed and was converted into flats. In this case however it's been completely revived by a couple of local guys who took it over a couple of years ago. Despite a recent refurbishment the decor is still interesting, with plenty of 1970s style exposed brickwork and a pool room at the back. The crowd is genuinely mixed - trendy young Stokey residents, older locals, punks and eccentrics; one or two local characters have been known to be somewhat 'over-exuberant', but you have to take the rough with the smooth sometimes. Its all a little rough around the edges, but if you add the friendliest service in E5, a lively pub quiz, a great choice of tunes and barbecues in the back garden, this becomes a proper, solid local.

reviewed:
23/08/2009
reviewed by redcat

second opinion:

posted by dirtypj - Monday 10th August, 2009, 10:44am
Personally, I prefer a pub that is "a little rough around the edges". Within reason, of course. I've not seen any of the "over-exuberant" types lately. The events the management of the pub have been organising lately are top quality, attracting a good mix of people. The Spanish food on Sundays is excellent. Parent and children afternoons. DJs playing ska and reggae one night, vintage soul and R&B another, 50s & 60s rock'n'roll on another night. And with pretty decent beer too. Though I'd like to see some real ales on tap alongside the London Pride.
posted by Rocket man - Monday 29th October, 2007, 2:41pm
I love this pub. We just moved into the area and it's tucked just round the back of Stoke Newington High St and is a great local. Probably got the best mix of music i've heard in any pub and really friendly landlords. Free barbeques every now and then are definitely worth checking out.
2 comments on this pub - why not add your own?

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