In the quiet street of Narrow Lane in residential Limehouse, The Grapes is a dark, quiet local that has some character but sometimes lacks in atmosphere.

The Venue
The window boxes outside The Grapes are maintained very well, so the flash of bright green beckons you from afar as it stands out amidst the monotonous beige brick that every single building on this street is built with. However, inside there is no colour - literally none - except dull brown.

Everything is covered in dark wood with furniture to match, but it does give a lived in feel as the wood is slightly worn and old. The tables and chairs seem as old as the pub itself, and although they add character they are unimaginative. The bar itself is very old fashioned, with a beam above it that connects to the low ceiling and makes you feel as if you’ve stepped into a proper British pub. Due to the small size of the pub, the bar takes up a lot of space, leaving little room for seating so locals tend to perch and bend the ear of the barman at peak times.

The Atmosphere
The location of this pub makes it perfect for local residents, and local residents only. The staff seem to recognise most that walk through the door, and there’s a feeling of comfort and relaxation that comes from being just outside the chaos of London. The customers are mostly City professionals who are suited and slick 90% of the time, but here they relax with their family and friends. It’s an older crowd, so expect laid back and casual but not lively.

The staff know the punters well, so there’s lots of familiar conversation buzzing around in the evenings after work. The darkness of the decor can affect your mood, so when the bums on seats are sparse, the atmosphere is nil.

The Drink
The Grapes serve the basic run of the mill pub drinks list. There are quite a few ales to choose from, which are well stored so are satisfyingly smooth, and popular lagers are also on tap. There are some wines available, at £12-£15 a bottle, but the choice is limited. The bar staff are happy to help you choose a decent bottle, which is a pleasant surprise considering most pubs prefer promoting their more manly pints.

There is food available, but considering that The Narrow (Ramsay’s pub) is down the road, people don’t usually come here to sample the cuisine.

The Last Word
The grapes is a pub with some character but it relies too heavily on the crowd to give it atmosphere, which never quite builds up to a memorable level.

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