The weekend before Christmas, we wandered into a pub in Shoreditch. The Old Blue Last, according to their website, is a great place for live music. There wasn’t a band the night we were there. Before going to this pub we knew nothing about it. To be honest, both of us were desperate to use the loo so we weren’t that picky when we selected a pub to try. When I ventured downstairs I got quite a kick out of the dungeon restroom.
Surprisingly it was quite clean.
We aren’t the type of people to use the bathroom and then duck out, so we ordered two beers. Nothing fancy–Heineken. It was dark inside the pub and there was a rather large group of inebriated men. This can be off-putting sometimes. However, the guys were full of Christmas spirit and several of them slurred: M-Merry Chr-Christmas to us. They were sweethearts and had a blast taking tons of group photos. I wondered if they had known each other since school, but never confirmed that suspicion.
There was only one barstool free so we decided after the one drink we’d leave to seek out a different pub and hopefully score two seats. I’m getting old. Then all of a sudden the pub cleared out and we had our choice of seats. The weather outside wasn’t all that great so we decided to stay for another round before our dinner reservation around the corner. I ordered a mulled cider and The Better Half had another beer.
This isn’t the typical pub that we find ourselves in, but I have to say I really enjoyed the experience. And it’s the first place I’ve been to that had Christmas trees hanging from the ceiling. I didn’t notice it until TBH pointed it out.
See the upside down trees?
The staff was excellent, the customers were drunk, but friendly, the atmosphere festive, and the alcohol was tasty. I give it 3.5 stars. Not sure if I will go back, since I fear it wouldn’t be the same. It was like Christmas Elves made sure we had a great night.
50 Year Project 
No I agree – leave it as a one off magical moment.
Sometimes it’s hard to replicate a wonderful night. I may take your advice, unless I have to use the loo again!
Sometimes the holidays do bring out the best in any business, but I don’t know…this pub looks inviting!
well if you’re in Shoreditch now you know where to go 🙂
Beautiful review, TBM! My favourite part of your review was this – “The staff was excellent, the customers were drunk, but friendly, the atmosphere festive, and the alcohol was tasty… It was like Christmas Elves made sure we had a great night.”
Thanks Vishy. It was a great night.
the sign to leave a pub like that is when the trees are no longer upside down
Oh that’s a great tip!
Hahaha – good one 🙂
I know you were eating elsewhere, but did they do any food, or just lots of beer? 😀
I didn’t see a menu at all. However I wasn’t looking either. My feeling is just beer.
Were you two the only women in the joint? It looks charming from your pictures. I know you’ve learned to acquire a taste for warm beer, but I much prefer my suds frothy and cold. It rates 3.5 stars out of how many?
I pummel you with questions like I’m going to head there tonight!
There were other women, but in the beginning, we were outnumbered. I think the group of men were on a pub crawl and when they left it was a much quieter place. 3.5 out of five. The beer was pretty cold that night. Not all beer is served warm. It’s mostly the ales that are served warm. Lagers are colder.
Sometimes life just has to revolve around the potty breaks! Well, maybe not “revolve,” but I have a tiny bladder, it seems, so I get this!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
Oh me too. I find a lot of pubs because of this. Then I have a beer and well you know, I need more potty breaks.
I get the need to find a loo. I do. Too true.
And with those rhyming words I leave you .
Oh poo.
🙂
I love it. Thanks for the smile.
Always.
Phew!! I was starting to get worried about you because there hadn’t been any pub reviews for a while :). Aren’t happy drunks entertaining? As my kids got to the party stage, I used to tell them to stay away from the booze and just watch the drunks. They agreed that it was really quite entertaining LOL!!
Oh it is fun to observe. And no worries, I just took some time off over the holidays. The pub reviews will continue. It’s my duty to keep trying them.
Yes it is 🙂
Wow, Christmas trees on the ceiling? Never would’ve expected that!
I wouldn’t have thought of it myself, but it was fun to see.
I agree too, leave it as a special memory!
I think you’re right.
You bare such a busy lady…writing and travelling too. N.i.c.e.
Sorry…typos. You ARE a busy lady… 😉
I love to stay busy!
Yes, it’s good to stay busy. No time to get bored but sometimes it’s exhausting. 😀 It bet that’s just me because I’m…closer to a hundred than you are. ‘-P
Oh I get exhausted, trust me.
Go rest for a few minutes, than… 🙂 Must pace yourself.
Sounds good. Almost time for bed anyway 🙂
I must be psychic. 😀
🙂
“giggles*
How many London pubs are you up to now?
Over thirty. And there’s still a ton more to go. Such a shame 😉
Sounds like a good night of Christmas cheer – but perhaps left best as an annual tradition.
I am so fascinated by this pub tour.
When I moved to London I fell in love with the pubs. Actually there’s so much to love here, but the pubs are a wonderful place to stop, enjoy a drink, and cherish my new city
The pub would have to be really, really great for me to stick around without a seat. I’m old.
Glad the others cleared out so you didn’t have to stand too long. 🙂
I know how you feel. Standing at the bar is not my thing anymore. But I think I’ve always been lazy and have preferred a seat.
Is that a real tree or a fake one? Great idea tho.
Not sure if I will go back, since I fear it wouldn’t be the same. < Why do you think so? I am just curious. I never go to a pub or will I ever be (Alcohol is prohibited) , so I wonder how you define the good one and not so good one.
Hmmm, I’m not sure if the trees were real or fake. It was rather dark and I couldn’t get close to them. And you can get non-alcoholic drinks at most pubs just in case you want to visit one. Not sure if that is allowed though.
I’m not too scientific when it comes to my ranking system. It all comes down to how did I feel/did I enjoy it. Sometimes I factor in the staff/cleanliness/food, but for the most part it comes down to a gut feeling.
I fear that the holidays made this pub more interesting to me since it was pretty low key the night I was there. I think this pub is usually for a younger crowd and I’m guessing it gets quite rowdy when they have live music. I’m getting a little too old for that scene.
Still not allowed 😉
Ah!! I get it now. Thank you for thanking your time to explain it 🙂
No worries. I always have time for friends.
The upside down trees are great! You’re lucky to have such unique places around you. And now I’m curious what a 5.0 evening would be.
We are lucky to live in such a diverse area. We love it here. A 5.0 evening–hopefully I find out soon!
What a cool looking pub… I love discovering new places with so much personality
Yes I agree. And it doesn’t take much to add personality. However, I’m glad I wasn’t the one who had to hang the upside Christmas trees.
I love the upside Christmas trees. I like the fact that it finally cleared out so that you could appreciate them and have a stool to yourself. I like the fact that you were able to discovery its little bit of charm.
The upside down trees really made me like this place. It’s the little things. And having a seat, that helps immensely!