The Cock Tavern E17

Every time I walked past the Cock Tavern over the summer I couldn’t stop myself from peering in through the windows to see what was happening inside. It had been closed for a while and changed owner so when the banner went up announcing that the pub was reopening I couldn’t wait to try it out.

So what’s the new place like? the owners have put a fair bit of work in to the refurb. The old sticky carpets have gone, new lighting has been installed and even new toilets have been put in. In fact its safe to say that pretty much every corner of the pub has been tidied up. Within its freshly painted walls there are now leather sofas and coffee tables that sit on top of a newly laid wooden floor.The inside is so new it feels slightly out of place, the shiny floors, couches and coffee tables complete with fake plants making it feel more like a hotel bar than a local pub. There is a pool table out the back which on the night I visited was proving a popular attraction and the drinks are reasonably priced, although there are no real ales on tap which is a shame and may put some customers off.

Although lacking the character that the building seems to demand its obvious that the owners have invested in the Cock.The chosen generic hotel style decor does the atmosphere no great favours but its clean and the sofas are comfy. Comparing it to other pubs in that end of Walthamstow such as the Market inn it fares pretty well. On the night I visited I was with a large group of people which made for a good night, and its people, or should I say the crowd that it attracts that will ultimately make or break the Cock. I’ll be interested to see what kind of pub it decides to be when it has settled in.

Right now would I say that it’s a destination pub? maybe not. I’m not sure that I would head there for lazy Sunday afternoon drinks, but as a watering hole to visit on the way home from work or a quick pint on the way back from the shops it seems to fit the bill.