The George and Dragon: First verdict

When you walk through the front door of the George and Dragon, one of the first things you’ll see is a portrait of George Orwell, a picture which used to hang at the back of the old George.

Pictures of famous lefties aren’t what Wetherspoons was known for – it was cheap booze. So the question on every drinker’s lips as they crammed into the pub for opening night on Thursday would have been: what are the new place’s prices like?

The answer is – not much like Wetherspoons. There are three real ales on sale, at £5.50 a pint. Guinness is £6.90. Others are upwards of £7.

Councillor Paul Donovan, who led a campaign attempting to keep the old George open, was one of the Wanstead residents in the pub on opening night.

“The food is not cheap but a good range,” he said. “It’s a different offer from Wetherspoons but we did know that. They’ve done the place up nicely keeping and enhancing the character. The George Orwell pic has been given a position of welcome prominence. It’s certainly rammed today.

“The main point is we still have a George pub which Wanstead people seem excited about.”

The refit does look rather magnificent – and not much trouble has been spared. A lengthy effort was taken to paint a sign on the back of the building and then ‘age it’ so that it looks truly authentic. The words “LIVE SPORT” are something of a giveaway, but at least it doesn’t also mention “FREE WIFI”.

Wansteadium always wishes new ventures good luck, and we know for sure that we won’t be alone in wishing the new George and Dragon all the best.

Reviews are welcome in the comments below.

10 thoughts on “The George and Dragon: First verdict”

  1. I had a couple of pints and it was very nice place to be. It’s lively. Prices are more than ‘Spoons but now aligned with the other pubs in the area – no more, no less. Not sure about the slightly too loud music and threats of live sports but it was great. Some of the other pubs in Wanstead are long overdue a bit of a refurb as they’ll be playing catch-up with the new George & Dragon

  2. Bit like an Edwardian bordello. Give me the old George any day!
    PS: I’m not an Edwardian and I’ve never been in a bordello.

  3. They’ve clearly spent a fair bit on the refurb and spoons weren’t making enough profit so the price rises are to be expected.

    Cask for £5.50 is ok and nicely local. Let’s hope they keep the cask beer well, other Wanstead pubs are not great cellaring.

    I think they’ve made a mistake with the back area. It seems unwelcoming. Is it a restaurant area? Is it ok just to sit with a drink? Do you need to ask before you sit there?

    Good luck to them.

  4. Another expensive Gastro pub, not really needed, but there’s plenty of money in Wanstead so it’ll do ok. It can join the long list of coffee shops and nail bars I guess.

  5. The three ales are cheaply bought in beers that are more profitable than say Green King , Abbott Ale or Adnams Broadside, East London Brewery. Guinness, no reason to be so expensive either. However, is a profit driven company , You can vote with your feet. Will probably kill off the Bull as main competitor. Glad it is still a pub and if anyone wants cheaper can go to a Wetherspoons. I will look for better range of real ales as not that impressed with that on offer here.

  6. It would be interesting to see more photos, upstairs and outside eg for those of us who can’t get there yet

  7. Shame the food prices are so high. Us oldies with limited funds will not be coming here any more to get a hot meal , meet friends and keep warm.
    Good job the Walnut Tree isn’t too far away !

    1. > Good job the Walnut Tree isn’t too far away !

      Ah yes but (The) George will be watching you:

      Under the spreading Walnut Tree
      I sold you and you sold me:
      There lie they, and here lie we
      Under the spreading Walnut Tree.

  8. The sign says traditional pub food but the menu says gastro pub there’s a big difference . The menu includes a long list of ingredients but doesn’t entail what the actual dish is.The prices are surprisingly high considering it’s only a pub. Also there is there no option for decaf coffee but a wide variety for regular coffee.The establishment is not particularly accessibility friendly as towards the back of the pub there is a higher level which has very narrow steps with no handrails, an accident waiting to happen.

  9. Have done a lovely job refurbishing the George, I wish them well. Anyone who would pay more for a lease than a Wetherspoons would possibly have to increase prices to cover higher costs. Prices are broadly in line with other local pubs, restaurants and will be half full like other local pubs. £7’s for a pint, not for me. I don’t frequent any pubs, bars that charge over a fiver, just leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. With almost 30 pubs closing every where in the UK, are their costs too high or are most people finding THEY cost too much? Basic economics, something goes up in price, I buy less of it. Something goes up in price too much, I no longer spend money on it. #gameover

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