Established in 1835, and re-opened in 1994 as a real ale and jazz pub, it quickly acquired iconic status as a leading edge in the cask beer revolution. When owners Steve Barnes and Will Williams (under whom it had been North London CAMRA Pub of the Year four times) announced their intention to retire, a massive campaign by local people and CAMRA supported by Hackney Council led to the pub being eventually saved. It closed for a refurbishment of the ground floor early in 2013 and re-opened with welcome new loos.

Simple snacks menu of toasties, Pieminster pies, baked Camembert and tuna melts are served, at a price which won't break the bank. Beer menu will of course be subject to regular change, but something from a London brewery should usually be available and a mild!

Two minutes from the Regent's Canal. Five minutes from buses on City Road, 10 to 15 mins from Old St stations. A member of CAMRA's LocAle scheme. Runner-up in the North London CAMRA Pub of the Year competition 2016, Winner in 2017. Also a winner of the Cider Pub of the Year category although the range dropped off in 2021.

Up until Sept 2023 it had occasionally served beer from their own cellar - separately operated BLOCK brewery. However our understanding is that such brewing is no more.