Home > London > E2 > Earl Grey Earl Grey

Picture source: Stephen Harris

The Earl Grey was situated at 272 Bethnal Green Road. This pub was present by 1839 and was tied to Watney’s Brewery for most of its history.  A small pub, in the 1990s and 2000s it passed through a succession of pub chain owners and closed in 2005.  It is now in retail use.

The Earl Gray (or as it was known "The Early Grave") was owned at one stage by my grandmother, Mrs Mabel Noakes. This would have been in the 1930/40s. It was used mainly by dock workers who would bring in meat or fish that they would exchange for beer. I would have loved to have seen my grandmother in those days as she spent most of her time this side of the bar. My father and his brothers had to do the "slinging out" when it came to closing time.

Ted Noakes (September 2021)

Do you have any anecdotes, historical information, updates or photos of this pub? Become a contributor by submitting them here. Like this site? Follow us on Make email contact with other ex-customers and landlords of this pub by adding your details to this page.