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Duke of Wellington, Dalston  rated3 pints - click for an explanation of our ratings

location:

Dalston

address:

119 Balls Pond Road, N1 4BL

phone:

0871 258 8510*
* calls cost 10p/minute, click here for more about 0871 numbers.

nearest stations:

Dalston Kingsland Railway station
(370m)

Canonbury London Overground station
(860m)

Essex Road Railway station
(1.2Km) - zone 2

Hackney Downs Railway station
(1.4Km)

bus routes:

30, 38, 56, 277, 67, 76, 149, 242, 243 bus info

how to find it:

From Dalston Kingsland station, exit right and walk down to the junction with Balls Pond Road. Turn right and in a couple of minutes the Wellington's on your left. You could walk down from Highbury and Islington tube, but its a 15 minute walk, so the bus is easier.

click here for a larger map

opening times:

Mon-Sat 12:00-01:00
Sun 12:00-23:30*
* opening times can change, please check with the pub before organising important events.

picture of Duke of Wellington
For a few years now the Wellington has been a pleasant enough pub catering for the gentrified young locals who call Dalston home. Our last visit, however, coincided with another makeover having just taken place, with the smell of paint still in the air. The main room, once painted creamy-white, has been toned down to a more pub-like black, but happily what was left of the original features and etched glass still remains. The reintroduction of the word 'Duke' in the name probably illustrates another change in prevailing pub trends, but pleasingly it also now corresponds with the original mosaic tiled floor which sports the full name. Indeed, one significant change was the creation of an alcove in front of one of the unused entrances, complete with spotlights highlighting the tiling. On the drinks front you'll find a decent selection of ale (we spied two choices from the Hopback Brewery, amongst others) and even a polypin of cider. We know a full menu is coming soon, but our visit came so soon after the refurbishment that the blackboards were still blank. Although this was never a bad pub by any means, the changes we've seen so far have improved the overall experience. It feels a little more pubby than previously and service is spot on, too. A strong three pinter.

reviewed:
17/04/2009
reviewed by redcat

pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)

fancyapint in the sunshine? this pub has a beer garden

second opinion: (don't just take our word for it)