The Peacock has two apparently contrasting but actually complementary characteristics. It is a lively unpretentious local for office folk and it is also a bar with micro brewery real ales, and rarely-found whiskies and rums. Happily the city folk appreciate these exotic offerings.

The Venue
Physically the Peacock seems to be a standard twentieth century pub, but it deserves closer scrutiny. Built in 1938, it is a fine example of art deco design in London and has grade II listing. There is a handsome frontage of mottled-green tiling and plentiful windows. The two levels of the interior are more modernist in style than art deco with a prevailing tone of light brown from the wooden panelling and furniture. The bar is on the ground level but customers mix and mingle both downstairs and upstairs.

One bizarre fact about the Peacock is that it was earmarked as Gestapo HQ offices in London should Hitler have won World War II. This was revealed in German memoranda captured in 1945 – apparently the nearby Tower of London was intended for the Gestapo cells.

The Atmosphere
Landlord Gary Cody works hard to generate a genial buzz. This is so successful that the Peacock is often still crowded at midnight/1.00 am.

A major contribution to the cheerful buzz is the darts board. The Peacock houses 14 different darts teams, which means that 7 matches are held between Monday and Thursday evenings. There’s also a pool table.

The Drink
The Peacock doesn’t do food. Quality drinking is the keynote. Four handpumps offer a rotating selection of real ales often featuring Ringwood Best Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord, St Austell Tribute and Sharp’s Doombar. One of the handpumps is always reserved for a CAMRA local ale. Often these feature favourites from two emerging London micro breweries – Tottenham’s Redemption and Leyton’s East London Brewing.

Three lagers are available – Carlsberg, Foster’s and Stella Artois. The wines are standard ones intended for quaffing with pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon and merlot listed.

The whisky range is exceptional with twenty in stock. There’s three Irish Bushmills – Original, Black Bush and 10year-old Malt – while Jack Daniels and Maker’s Mark represent US producers. Johnnie Walker Green Label is also available and there’s a splendid selection of malts. Among these are Glenlivet, Jura, Macallan, Old Pulteney. As a real surprise the Peacock also stocks the only English and the only Welsh whiskies. These are Chapter 9 St George’s Whisky from Norfolk and Penderyn from the Brecon Beacons.

The rum range is also of note. Appleton, Captain Morgan, Havana Club, Mount Gay and Wood’s are on the shelf and they’re joined by Bundaberg from Queensland, which is much enjoyed by the local Aussie bond dealers and brokers. Among the brandies, Asbach from the Rhineland is a special selection.

The Last Word
The City has few more cheerful venues than the Peacock. You’ll enjoy it, even if you don’t play darts. Go along and try an English whisky, an Australian rum, a German brandy, or one of their well-kept ales.

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