A lot of people I know, including my good self, share a fascination with criminals. Not your average inner city crackhead of course – the ones that rob teenagers and elderly women, and deal drugs. But cool iconic criminals as portrayed in The Godfather, The Sopranos and The Wire. The ones who rob without care, murder innocent people, and deal drugs. The UK equivalent of these glamour crims is the Krays, who neither looked nor probably sang like the Kemp brothers from Spandau Ballet, but were by all accounts very much the society rogues. According to local folklore they also owned a lot of pubs around the East End, and one that was allegedly owned by their dear mum and has become a destination for hip and pretty young things alike is the Carpenters Arms off Brick Lane.
The Three Amigos were still in town and ready for action, so after a superb coffee or two at the wonderful Nude Espresso on Hanbury Street and a spot of vintage shopping on Brick Lane, we decided it was time for drinks and headed up to the Carpenters. This cracking little venue has clearly been refurbished since the days that the terrible twins ruled the East, but it positively oozes atmosphere and style. With an extensive drinks selection, great food and wall-to-wall pretty and trendy young things the place seems to have it all. The fact that it’s all packed into a space the size of a caravan is a challenge, but no one seemed to mind the cosiness. Although the Northerner did knock over a guy on crutches and I managed to elbow a young woman square in the face. Class.
Amigo 2 and I rolled through several samples of quality lager, while Amigos 1 and 3 joined the Northerner in putting to rest a few bottles of wine as we relived our previous nights efforts which saw the truth succumb to exaggeration. Anything for a laugh this lot.
As voices were raised and listening became an unwanted optional extra, we thought it was time to head off in search of food and music, which we duly found at the Diner in Shoreditch. But back to the Carpenters Arms, which may no longer house the glamour criminals of yesteryear nor be as spacious as some of its nearby competitors, but it is a top little pub. Great drinks, food, clientele, and atmosphere and of course the spectre of the Krays, just to make you feel that little bit edgier.
The Three Amigos were still in town and ready for action, so after a superb coffee or two at the wonderful Nude Espresso on Hanbury Street and a spot of vintage shopping on Brick Lane, we decided it was time for drinks and headed up to the Carpenters. This cracking little venue has clearly been refurbished since the days that the terrible twins ruled the East, but it positively oozes atmosphere and style. With an extensive drinks selection, great food and wall-to-wall pretty and trendy young things the place seems to have it all. The fact that it’s all packed into a space the size of a caravan is a challenge, but no one seemed to mind the cosiness. Although the Northerner did knock over a guy on crutches and I managed to elbow a young woman square in the face. Class.
Amigo 2 and I rolled through several samples of quality lager, while Amigos 1 and 3 joined the Northerner in putting to rest a few bottles of wine as we relived our previous nights efforts which saw the truth succumb to exaggeration. Anything for a laugh this lot.
As voices were raised and listening became an unwanted optional extra, we thought it was time to head off in search of food and music, which we duly found at the Diner in Shoreditch. But back to the Carpenters Arms, which may no longer house the glamour criminals of yesteryear nor be as spacious as some of its nearby competitors, but it is a top little pub. Great drinks, food, clientele, and atmosphere and of course the spectre of the Krays, just to make you feel that little bit edgier.
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