The Salmon and Ball

Reviews

• Julia L.

  star star star star star_border 25 July 2026

  I've been to this pub quite a few times since I live in the bethnal green area. This pub is quite the classic old pub you can expect. It's got a few tvs and the "usual's" that sit at the bar pretty consistently throughout the day and night.
  This place is nice if you're just looking to have a nice cold brew on a day in London or if you just want to meet a pal for a drink or two before deciding what your next move is going to be. i definitely suggest this place to start out a nice evening with or to just pop in and have a brew.
  The staff is always friendly and the prices are all good as well.

• Tori U.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 24 July 2026

  I still haven't mastered the very English skill of being able to spot a great pub from a mile away. Or maybe smell the pub from a mile away? Mmm, that burnt caramel undertone to a hoppy, pungent initial whiff... But I digress.
  
  My then boyfriend and my good friend both told me from half a glance at this place that it was sub-par for English standards. Lacking that lazy, warm inviting feel you get from place with gold-lettered pub name mounted on a wooden beam. However, the Salmon and Ball was the closest pub we had in our lovely Bethnel Green area which was open past 11pm. So, I recommended it to my room mates for our quiet drink before heading back home.
  
  We enter into a slightly grotty establishment, with almost casino style lighting and flooring. Flashing lights, pub quiz machines galore, several TVs and a few stray patrons, looking like they had never made it home from an after-work drink in 1978. The drinks were cheap yes, but so was the experience. It is usually busy as it sits literally on the tube stop but I didn't find the clientele, nor the manager very inviting. In fact, we were told right after ordering that we would have to hurry with our G&Ts/pints as they were going to close early due to the lack of people. There were 4 of us and we had literally only come here because of how late it advertised being open. Kinda defeated our purpose completely.
  
  I realize there is a black hole of suitable pubs in the BG area. But do try and look elsewhere if you want a proper experience.

• Anoop K.

  star star star star_border star_border 22 July 2026

  Had a few rehearsals in Bethnal Green so fellow cast member and I came here a few times after as it's just by the station.
  Handy location, a slight dive, with the selection of punters who have probably been stuck to the barstools since the 1950s.
  The pub has a good selection and as it was a million degrees outside the good selection of cider was great. I like how you can stand outside on the street and no bouncers etc tell you off!
  They only take cash btw so make sure you have some! There is an ATM next door if you need.
  Apparently they do some pints at just over a pound if you get there between 10am and midday? Will need to try that one out at some point!

• Jed C.

  star star star star star_border 11 July 2026

  This pub is the first place I stumbled into upon arriving in Bethnal Green, instantly outside the underground station exit. The place is old and run down, just like almost everywhere in this little pocket of East London, but rather then struggle against this handicap the pub has perservered and shone through as a local boozer where everyone knows one anothers name... and an outsider isn't always welcome.
  
  I ignored the alarms going off inside my head as I took my seat, watched beadily by about 10 locals all sitting at the bar swearing at each other. I was in their end now, so I have to be careful... The bartender however could not have been nicer, even when I was just sitting in there to watch the cricket (I came back later for a pint as homage to this good service.) The TV is projected (sports) onto a big screen and Led Zeppelin/David Bowie screams in the background.. awesome. Their are boxing posters all over the wall, looking back to a time when boxing was still a huge part of East End culture. An excellent little boozer.

• Sarah L.

  star star star star star_border 3 July 2026

  So I've stood outside The Salmon & Ball many a time, waiting to meet friends at Bethnal Green Tube Station. Finally, last week, whilst waiting in the arctic London temperatures, I decided it was better for both my body and spirit to wait inside.
  
  So into the Salmon & Ball I went.  And it was rather pleasant.  A traditional East-London boozer with the usual smattering of cool boys and old men that look like they've been glued to their bar stools since the late 60s.  Bar staff were really friendly and my pint was ice cold, so no complaints here. A far better alternative than standing on the street!