The London Fields has been transformed from a sky blue eyesore to a browner, more basic and altogether more exciting London Fields.

The Venue
Created by the company behind Broadway Market’s Cat and Mutton, The London Fields has been stripped of its branded mirrors, beer mats and terrible arrangement of furniture and been replaced with worn down wood, simple seating and a cosiness that had previously eluded it.

Dark wood meets the eye in every direction, the beer taps have an unnatural glow about them and the blackboard on the wall marks the arrival of a foody gastropub type affair to replace the boozer that once inhabited the space. It’s a good thing though, there are plenty of tables and chairs and the pub retains character in its decor, remaining a venue that feels good to eat or just drink in.

The Atmosphere
The London Fields will appeal to all of the people that have left the bright lights of Shoreditch behind now that the party there seems a little deader. The London Fields is a magnet for Hackney scenesters. The man at the bar might seem just like any other man in a pub, but he’s sure to be wearing Authentics tucked away under that stall, and the girl might look like any other scruffed up pub type but check below and it’s DMs that are laced up around those ankles. It’s fair to say that the locals aren’t as prevalent here as they once were. However, the atmosphere when the pub is busy is as good as any in the area.

Late nights put people in a less self-conscious frame of mind and the dancing helps to relax. There is a TV that screens occasional football and often DJs to play for the aforementioned dancers.

The Food
The menu is decidedly gastro. The Mare Street stragglers won’t know what’s hit them when they spy bar snacks like wild Pollack fish fingers and tartar sauce and pork pate with piccalilli and toast. The area must definitely be on the up. The main menu is equally as delicately planned. The homemade lamb burger is served with tzatziki, flatbread and spiced onion rings and there is a braised beef, mushroom and Guinness pie to eclipse the Pucka offering that previously existed round here.

The Drink
The wine list is scrawled across the blackboard on the wall and its sheer numbers fill it out. There is a good choice and the house wine by the bottle is the best value to hunt for. The beer selection is just as good as the wines in terms of numbers. Red Stripe, Amstel, Grolsch, Heineken and San Miguel are all on draught and there is also London Pride from the cask.

The Last Word
The London Fields is a real destination and is sure to become big in Hackney, it just needs to hope that books aren’t judged by their covers and scorn doesn’t replace a good welcome.

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