Commercial Tavern

Pub in Spitalfields
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7 / 10 from 13 reviews
Address
142-144 Commercial Street
Spitalfields
London
E1 6NU
Map
Telephone
020 7247 1888
Region
Spitalfields
Nearest Station
Shoreditch High Street
0.13 miles
Category
Pubs
Opening Times
Monday Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Tuesday Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Wednesday Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Thursday Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Friday Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Saturday Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00
Sunday Open 12:00 - Closes 22:30

We dont have sky sports, yuck...We do have 4 real ales (which we love) and 3 lagers on draft which we serve with a smile because we are a tied Punch pub. Sorry no bottled branded lagers apart from Meantime Vienese style lager. We don't serve food because we are a pub; plain and simple. Come here to drink. Even though we are a Tavern there is nowhere to leave your horse and we don't have accommodation. We may reconsider serving food, though not by public demand, only if we think we can do it properly. No compromises.

If you want a bar that meets all your corporate expectations then PLEASE go elsewhere. We are a family business that provides an oasis for our guests, at least thats what they tell us.

Commercial Tavern Picture Gallery

Commercial Tavern Picture

All In London Review

The Commercial Tavern has issues with its manners but we can't help but fall for it all the same

Review Image
No pub should be able to offer repeat doses of surly service and get away with it but somehow we can’t help but retain a soft spot for The Commercial Tavern. On every visit you run the gauntlet of getting sneer with your order but thanks to the landlords this is the way it has always been and if you can laugh it off as eccentricity then you can enjoy the other features of what is one of the area’s best pubs.

From the cartoon wallpaper in the bar to the small stage on the ground floor, The Commercial Tavern has its odd features. There was also the pool table in the back that never quite fit in, the general darkness that consumes it and some racy prints on the upstairs furniture. It may look like a grand old gin palace on the corner of Commercial Street but once inside you’ll quickly change your impression of the type of pub you’ve just walked into. The eclectic (and stylish) furniture, opulent chandeliers and bare stripped walls across the two floors will help see to that.

The downstairs bar is where all the action is but if you want some respite from the hip, dim parlour below then head upstairs for the first floor bar where seats, space and light are easier to come by. Music is loud enough to nod along to but nothing more than an accompaniment to pub chat and yet the place is always lively. Pavement drinking is catered for with a few tables out the front, although lack of seats never stops the street overflowing with drinkers when the sun is out.

To drink, the bar has a range of small brewery beers from Freedom to Meantime and the usual stock of spirits. There is no food here and less you want the kind of smouldering surliness mentioned in the opening sentence, don’t ask. Some people won’t be able to look past the frequent rudeness at The Commercial Tavern but for us the pantomime act doesn’t detract too much from a fine Shoreditch/Spitalfields pub.

Reviewed by T.A.O
Published on May 2, 2014


User Reviews

Ecoevents

Nov 15, 2011

Rudest Manager I have ever had to deal with. I tried to reserve a small area for a charity drinks reception at 5pm, not exactly their busy time, and the manager said that he did not need my business (!) and did not want the booking. He obviously felt that his bar was too cool- I will never go there again with friends or business.
tipsymaccstagger

Jun 9, 2011

Rudest bar in Shoreditch, actually this place and the sour staff are contributing to the consensus that Shoreditch is now toooooo cooool. We got thrown out for asking for wine glasses for the wine we purchased!!! Not only that but we had to quickly drink a bottle of champagne while the v strange and slightly overly refreshed manager stood glaring at us. Staff treat you like they are doing you a massive favor by serving you and admonished us because we asked for wine glasses instead of coca cola tumblers they gave us......actually go here if you want to sample East Londons finest swarm of leisure pirates masquerading as bar staff with a nunu rave, vintage, 2nd hand sour flavor with faces like they have been licking cats **** off a nettle and attitudes to match.
Grodan

May 5, 2011

I was really a massive fan of this place when i was younger but now i have been back in there recently and it has really changed and not for the best!!
Was sitting there having a few quiet pints with mates and then we saw one of the staff, the boss i think, absolutely flip out on a girl at the bar for no reason!! Then she chased her down the street - totally mental, seemed like the boss was on drugs.
Really wouldnt say you should go there, it's scary now.
Anonymous

Jul 15, 2010

Quite simply the best pub in London! Quirky, fun, friendly, fab atmosphere, extremely well run by the nicest people I think I have ever met. The decor, staff, drinks and whole pub experience is one to be admired and it is definietly worth a vist or two, or three, or....
With the opening of Shoreditch station right on the doorstep makes it easily accessible by all means of public transport which is just the ticket for a journey home, wherever that may be. It does get busy but that happens for a reason and I still never have to wait too long to be served. Looking forward to another night out before the end of the month!!
Anonymous

Jul 7, 2010

This is one of those pub finds that you want to keep to yourself but want to tell everyone you know about it at the same time too. Wine and beer selection small but superb. Friendly staff. Spotless loo's and the best music mixes. What a treasure - completely a one off, love it, love it, love it!!
Anonymous

Jun 21, 2010

We went on Sunday to have a drink at this pub, after buying some flowers in Columbia Market, and with no time to sit down an order a drink, the manager completly drunk or high on something ask us in a quite aggressive way, to leave the pub. His own words were: "I dont like your attitude, go with your flowers to Columbia Road". I was gutted after that, I won't go again to that pub and I hope no one will do until management will change. For sure he has lost 4 clients on Sunday.
Anonymous

Apr 7, 2010

The commercial tavern is a fabulous hidden gem, perfect for a quiet drink. Stepping into the pub is like walking into wonderland...quirky decorations such as cuckoo clocks, chandeliers and a wall covered in buttons! Perfect for any person that likes something a little different!!!
Anonymous

Dec 15, 2008

What a wonderful place this is. If you are looking for somewhere different, interesting and fun then I recommend a visit. The decor is fab too especially upstairs.
Anonymous

Jul 17, 2008

The Commercial Tavern is under new management; has had a wonderful makeover and is virtual hub of activity for the trendy, ecclectic and a great place for people in the know - simply marvellous!
doody dave

Jul 20, 2007

I can honestly say that this place ia pure awful. They don't do any food except for the over priced crisps. The choice of lagers is mimimal and the bar staff never seem to smile. A waste of a night for my girlfriend and myself.
jonnyboylondon

May 2, 2007

Quite possibly the best pub in London and easily the friendliest bar staff in Shoreditch. The place looks great, the drinks are really well made and the punters are gorgeous.

What more could you ask for?
beebs

Apr 11, 2006

This pub is a little treasure. It succeeds in being a little oasis of eccentricty in amongst the battered furniture/wooden interiored unifomity of most Shoreditch bars. Everything from the baby blue polka dot tables and chandeliers to the Butch Cassidy/Sound of Music/Ian Dury soundtrack make this place something special. The super friendly staff (and wonderful landlady) ensured that I had a 30th birthday to remember. Its really worth going a little bit out of you way for.
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