Location: Dicken's Inn, St. Katharine's Docks, London
From the outside, this large venue stands out with a distinctive style from times not so long past. It has a history nestled in the heigh days of the Thames as a major trade route, having once been a warehouse further up the river. According to the main website, in the 1820's the building had a brick exterior built up around it, which hid the remarkable timber frame until the 1970's. During this time the building was carefully deconstructed and the timber frame was moved to its current site, where it was reconstructed to the public house that it is today. An array of framed photographs of this event hang just within the entrance, with a plaque below to commemorate its reopening in 1976.
The front of the building gives of a very welcoming vibe, standing out from many other places for the effort put in building up this appearance. Behind a small beer garden to the groundfloor terrace, the railing lined with flowerboxes which are full of bright flowers in Summer.
Above it, one can see two more floors of terraces, all spreading out across the entire front, and one can almost imagine how appropriate an image this gives of a busy drinking house in warmer evenings, with the clientele standing, leaning, all having a pleasant evening. However in Winter, the outside is much quiter and more subdued for the lack of bright colours, but hardly seems diminished in its impression to the potential visitor.
Inside, on the groundfloor, the place is fairly dimly lit, and invitingly warm despite the outside cold. The bar is immediately in front, and stretches out for a considerable length, with a brassy top, and shelving across the bricked walls, which are lit up to display their wares. The beers here are more of the standard variety of London lagers and ales, but do offer the casual drinker a wide choice to choose from.
The next noticeable aspect of this floor is the impression of a low ceiling, which is more illusory, from the large beams running over the darkwood floor for the entire length of the building, with plenty of seating available, high stools and tables in the middle, more cushioned armchairs and sofas with low tables at one end, eventually dining chairs and tables at the other end, all mark out the main bar area of the venue. There are a few television screens around showing sport, and music plays at a comprise between being a presence and background noise, never giving out an impression of quiet solitude. Timber columns here show the thickness and quality of wood used for the old frame, and run intermittently along the building, going up through every floor to the roof.
Last detail worthy of note here is written on some of the beams, a selection of quotes, mostly drink related, and from a variety of sources, with an example below:
The first and second floors are the main dining areas of the pub, each displaying the style of food they serve and as such giving off distinct impressions to relate to the diner.
The first floor is the pizzeria, with lighter coloured furniture and décor, to bring out a lighter vibe to go with the pizzas they serve. The second floor is the grill, with dark wood furniture, and the smell of grilled meat in the air. This floor also has a feeling of greater space, with the roof stretching out high over the top, white panelling between the numerous beams, smaller beams between the larger ones, giving an almost barn-like appearance, revealing the upper structure of this historic place.
Again, with both floors, they shared another feature with the open front kitchens, showing the food being prepared and served in full view of the waiting customers and new customers waiting to be seated.
This concludes a review of the Dicken's Inn. A remarkable place to go for a drink, with a warm atmosphere, and with plenty of space to relax in. It is recommended for anyone who wishes to go, including solo drinkers, but it stands out for groups of people, and parties. The location itself is excellent, having the surrounding docks with a plethora of boats of the rich and famous, lines of shops and some restaurants dotted around in tasteful brick buildings, and not least, the docks' proximity to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
Pictures from the author and the Dicken's Inn website.
From the outside, this large venue stands out with a distinctive style from times not so long past. It has a history nestled in the heigh days of the Thames as a major trade route, having once been a warehouse further up the river. According to the main website, in the 1820's the building had a brick exterior built up around it, which hid the remarkable timber frame until the 1970's. During this time the building was carefully deconstructed and the timber frame was moved to its current site, where it was reconstructed to the public house that it is today. An array of framed photographs of this event hang just within the entrance, with a plaque below to commemorate its reopening in 1976.
The front of the building gives of a very welcoming vibe, standing out from many other places for the effort put in building up this appearance. Behind a small beer garden to the groundfloor terrace, the railing lined with flowerboxes which are full of bright flowers in Summer.
Above it, one can see two more floors of terraces, all spreading out across the entire front, and one can almost imagine how appropriate an image this gives of a busy drinking house in warmer evenings, with the clientele standing, leaning, all having a pleasant evening. However in Winter, the outside is much quiter and more subdued for the lack of bright colours, but hardly seems diminished in its impression to the potential visitor.
Inside, on the groundfloor, the place is fairly dimly lit, and invitingly warm despite the outside cold. The bar is immediately in front, and stretches out for a considerable length, with a brassy top, and shelving across the bricked walls, which are lit up to display their wares. The beers here are more of the standard variety of London lagers and ales, but do offer the casual drinker a wide choice to choose from.
The next noticeable aspect of this floor is the impression of a low ceiling, which is more illusory, from the large beams running over the darkwood floor for the entire length of the building, with plenty of seating available, high stools and tables in the middle, more cushioned armchairs and sofas with low tables at one end, eventually dining chairs and tables at the other end, all mark out the main bar area of the venue. There are a few television screens around showing sport, and music plays at a comprise between being a presence and background noise, never giving out an impression of quiet solitude. Timber columns here show the thickness and quality of wood used for the old frame, and run intermittently along the building, going up through every floor to the roof.
Last detail worthy of note here is written on some of the beams, a selection of quotes, mostly drink related, and from a variety of sources, with an example below:
“Did you ever taste beer?” “I had a sip of it once” said the small servant. “Here's a state of things,” cried Mr Swivvler, “she never tasted it – It can't be tasted in a sip.”
from the Old Curiosity Shop.
The first and second floors are the main dining areas of the pub, each displaying the style of food they serve and as such giving off distinct impressions to relate to the diner.
The first floor is the pizzeria, with lighter coloured furniture and décor, to bring out a lighter vibe to go with the pizzas they serve. The second floor is the grill, with dark wood furniture, and the smell of grilled meat in the air. This floor also has a feeling of greater space, with the roof stretching out high over the top, white panelling between the numerous beams, smaller beams between the larger ones, giving an almost barn-like appearance, revealing the upper structure of this historic place.
Again, with both floors, they shared another feature with the open front kitchens, showing the food being prepared and served in full view of the waiting customers and new customers waiting to be seated.
This concludes a review of the Dicken's Inn. A remarkable place to go for a drink, with a warm atmosphere, and with plenty of space to relax in. It is recommended for anyone who wishes to go, including solo drinkers, but it stands out for groups of people, and parties. The location itself is excellent, having the surrounding docks with a plethora of boats of the rich and famous, lines of shops and some restaurants dotted around in tasteful brick buildings, and not least, the docks' proximity to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
Pictures from the author and the Dicken's Inn website.
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