Like a lot of Hackney, first impressions of Baxters Court are ugly and uninviting but inside this fully paid member of the Wetherspoons conglomerate there is enough to intrigue.

The Venue
Located adjacent to the Hackney Empire, Baxters Court is a faceless white wall of bland architecture. The court that it’s so aptly named after is in fact the entrance - sealed from the street with an outer door but left without cover to act as a smoking yard.

Inside the tall glass doors you’ll stumble on the ubiquitous Wetherspoon design. There isn’t much individuality on show on the ground floor but comfort can be taken from the massive amounts of tables that will always be there to assist you off your feet. The booths that line the walls of the Baxters Court are a dark cosy proposition that keep you unaware of your environment, offering a semblance of privacy. The overall feel here is dim and cheap but even so there’s a level of DFS style comfort from the squidgy carpets and velvet benches.

Upstairs, being closer to heaven, something must have rubbed off as it’s much, much better. The room is brighter with the addition of an outback patio and high windows on the front of the building letting in natural light. There is another bar up here and plenty more tables and chairs.

The Atmosphere
The divide at Baxters Court is ridiculously clear after a few visits. The old stay downstairs and the young migrate upwards with sprightly legs reaching for the sun that shines over the second level. Beyond this breakdown of the demographic there are many more levels with which to demarcate the crowd. There is always a posse of drunkards that sit and rumble along with the occasional ear-breaking expletive, shattering the private pretence of your booth. Then there’s the party crowd, which consists of Mare Street locals enjoying £1.29 Sailor Jerrys and coke in an environment where the smell of hair gel wafts like perfume through the air. The rest of the pub is filled with all types and on the whole it’s much like the microcosm of Hackney itself where diversity just seems to exist.

A gleaming mention should be bestowed on the staff who are friendly and efficient, even taking time to enquire about your meal.

The Food
Typical pub food is what you’ll find on the Wetherspoon menu along with attempts at salads, pasta dishes and paninis. The clubs are worth joining with curry, steak and roast gatherings on different nights of the week. There are also budget meals like sausage, egg and chips that go for a measly £2.99.

The Drink
This pub offers super value for money compared even to others in the chain. The aforementioned Sailor Jerrys rum and coke is just £1.20 per glass and Becks is £1 a bottle, plus on most days a pint of premium beer will cost less than £2. There’s even wine on tap. The range of draught beer includes Fosters, Kronenbourg and Becks Vier along with a number of cask ales.

The Last Word
Baxters Court offers a dim but quite passable place to drink cheaply.

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