Whether you've stumbled out of a club on a Saturday night and can't bare the thought of going home, or you simply want a quiet drink in traditional surroundings, this quirky East End boozer is sure to suit you fine.

The Venue
Tucked away between Hackney Road and Columbia Road on a small side street, this is very much a locals’ pub and you're unlikely to find it unless you're familiar with the area. Saying that though, it's only a 15-minute walk from Shoreditch and is definitely worth the stroll.

From the outside, it’s a traditional-looking pub with Tudor-style wood, small square windows and dozens of fetching hanging baskets (which are, no doubt, from the flower market nearby). Approaching the pub, you can tell the owners care about the surroundings - the board outside reminds drinkers to keep the noise down.

Enter through a small wooden door and you'll instantly be taken back by the cosy decor - it has an old-fashioned patterned pub carpet, window ledges and shelves which are packed with small random ornaments, and various local artwork is always for sale on the walls. There's a selection of small and large tables, with one huge one at the back that can be used for eating your own food and this is often full of large groups doing just this.

The seating in this venue is really interesting, while you've got your traditional pub chairs and tables, all around the outside of the pub are flip-down cinema-style seats, which are rather firm to sit on but great for novelty value. The pub has been renovated in the last few years but one thing they didn't put too much thought into is the toilets: there's only one toilet for the ladies, so expect to queue.

Like all forward-thinking public houses you can find anything from a jumble sale to fancy-dress events on special occasions at The Nelson’s Head. The pub opens at 7am on a Sunday for the local market sellers but, at this time, it is also likely to be full of people who have just left a rave nearby and are ready to continue a Sunday session.

The Atmosphere
This boozer perfectly creates the balance to satisfy East End locals, who were born in the area and have never left, and the new wave of hip youngsters who have recently moved to trendy Columbia Road. A lot of the clientele is made up of thirty-somethings, many of whom lived in Shoreditch when it was at the zenith of its coolness and have subsequently moved into more residential areas but still love to party hard. Considering the mix, nobody feels out of place and the pub has a relaxed feel to it. The music is determined by a jukebox, which means the music can be unpredictable but nobody seems to mind.

The Drink
As with a lot of the venues in the area, the drinks aren't cheap. Expect to pay £2.70–£4 for one of the following: a pint, a single spirit and mixer, or a bottle of beer. There's not a great selection on draught – Strongbow is the only cider and Courage Light is the only ale. Other beers include Becks Vier, Guinness, Carlsberg, Stella and bottles of Corona.

The Last Word
Eccentric, random and local, it might not be the easiest pub to locate if you're not from the area, but if you make the effort, you'll have made a very welcome discovery.

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