The Aldgate Exchange is a huge pub handily located within walking distance of Aldgate, Shoreditch and Tower Hill; however, its traditional exterior belies the chain bar atmosphere and decor that greets you inside.

The Venue
The Aldgate Exchange is anything other than a retiring wallflower. The huge frontage with its bold green sign announces its presence with a large number of freestanding blackboards outside showing why this pub is so popular – regular premiership screenings. Traditional in style, it certainly appeals judging on first appearances.

Unfortunately, upon entering you find yourself in what could be any chain bar in London. An overuse of pine, modern furnishings that border on dull and a neutral colour scheme drain the pub of any character. It’s a shame, as the building itself is clearly old and they could so easily have retained its original features. That said, it’s clean and the vast space makes it perfect for screening the football. There are several large screen TVs dotted around the outer edge of the pub and – brilliantly – when big games are on they pull down a huge projector screen and set up rows of chairs in front in a cinema-style that appeals to many fans. This set up means that if two big games are showing at the same time, they are able to show both games so appealing to fans of all teams. This greatly redeems what could have otherwise been a dull pub with little to offer.

The Atmosphere
On non match days The Aldgate Exchange struggles to create much of an ambience; its vast size and neutral decor only serving to make the void even more palpable. That said, there is a core group of regulars whose banter is audible and helps to lift everyone’s spirits. On match days, however, there’s a much larger mix of people, from City workers to locals, supporting different teams and without so much as a whiff of the trouble that can so permeate such events. With a definite skew towards men, you’ll see everyone from big groups to a couple of mates and even a few loners all heading in to catch the game. When two games are on at once, there’s none of the catcalling and anger bubbling under the surface that you get in many similar establishments.

The staff are friendly enough, although they lack in efficiency and the occasional flat pint may slip through the net. They don’t seem overly happy to be there, but they get the job done. They’re not the most upbeat bunch if you ever need to call them – appearing almost suspicious at even the simplest of queries.

The Drink
A huge bar acts as the centrepiece of The Aldgate Exchange and comes well stocked with prices on the cheaper side of the edge of The City – although you’ll still be hard pushed to see much change from a tenner for a pint and a spirit with mixer. There’s a decent range of spirits for a pub, with a couple of premium brands gleaming proudly. The lager is pretty standard with Stella, Becks Vier, Kronenbourg and Fosters on tap at an average price of £3-£3.10 a pint. They also have a selection of ale, although again there’s nothing that CAMRA will be getting excited about with a choice that includes London Pride and John Smith Extra Smooth. It’s a selection that keeps the football-watching punters happy enough.

The Last Word
If you’re looking for somewhere to watch the football and you live or work locally then this is a fine choice and you’re guaranteed to be able to catch the action without having to scramble for a space by the TV. However, other than the big screens it leaves little else to be desired, being little more than a decent enough drinking den for a quick pint.

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