Comments on: The Carpenters Arms, Gangster Pub

By: Alto Saxx

Alto Saxx — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:58:04 +0000

Karma, pity they never had the brains to see that this would bring them to their downfall.

By: George Sturt

George Sturt — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 00:31:26 +0000

I lived in old montague st vallance road as a baby until I was 4 and then moved to Cheshire st in the 7os where I remember the growing up there and the pubs in Cheshire st there was the king and Queen jus on the other side of the school next to the carpenters arms where als I remember Jean and estel and they had a dog called sonny who my brother Steven used to take for a walk on a regular basis my mum used to drink I that pub and work in there on a number of occasions I remember me and my brother used to get the rolls from Percy ingles Bethnal Green for the pub . My mums name also was Jean and my stepdad was Harry. happier exciting vibrant times sadly that east end has gone it’s a different place different depressing people about now

By: Richard Hayden

Richard Hayden — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 20:51:13 +0000

I was a teacher at the school that was next door to The Carpenters Arms (St Bernards RC School) from 1976 to 1980 and spent what was probably too many hours in the pub after the days work was done. I remember Jean and Estey – lovely people and just a bit wild at times. Mr McKeown (previously mentioned by Michael O’Keefe) was still teaching (Head of Geography) when I was there. In fact my classroom (Art) was next to Mr McKeowns on the top floor of the school and he certainly was a regular lunchtime visitor to the pub. Lo and behold any pupil who played up during his lessons after lunch. Lets just say he was a very strict disciplinarian. Other memories of the pub include a few lock-ins, and when Jean and Estey had had enough of being behind the bar they would ask us to pull our own pints and pop the money in the till. Happy memories of being part of the community.

By: Ian Silverton

Ian Silverton — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 19:54:00 +0000

Nice storey here from the past, anybody remember the scrap yard on the corner opposite the pub? And the family who owned it called the Dearings, Tosher, Harry, Mary, and sons Mike and Jeff Dearings?

By: Mpc

Mpc — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 09:49:15 +0000

Many thanks to the previous landlords.. you have left a great legacy. To the new owner, please keep the Timothy Taylor. Will be visiting again next week!
Cheers
MC

By: Bubla Harris

Bubla Harris — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 17:32:31 +0000

Hi Stuart, Just by chance saw your name on this site. I lived in and around Valance Road from1950 until the late seventies and knew the twins via some of their associates. We remember Jean and Estey as we used to drink in the Carpenters with one of our lesbian friends occasionally. However, you may remember me for the short time we worked together in Fenchurch Street at Sterling Shipping etc. Good to hear all appears well with you.

By: Stuart Feather

Stuart Feather — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 11:40:43 +0000

I am one of the drag queens who lived at Bethnal Rouge, a Gay Liberation Front bookshop and social centre at 248 Bethnal Green Road. We loved the Carpenters Arms and the lesbian couple Jean and Estey who ran it when we were there in 1973/1974. I was checking out 248 in 2018 for Queer Tours of London – a mince through time – and it’s now a bank, which is something of a coincidence because we were told the owner in the 1970s was the Kray families banker. I also looked into the Carpenters, unrecognisable inside. Gone is the piano, the songs and the community spirit of the past. But that’s gentrification for you folks.

By: michael dennison

michael dennison — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 18:11:40 +0000

jean and estie were friends of mine and my wife and I worked for them behind the bar for ten years. we had some great times and were still in touch with them both until they passed away.From micky.

By: Andy Y

Andy Y — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 11:44:04 +0000

I lived on Cheshire St (I think it was above Yummys Cafe) in the mid 80s. This pub was our local and we spent a lot of time playing pool upstairs. Always friendly. Good to see it’s still open.

By: Gloria Goodman

Gloria Goodman — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 20:52:08 +0000

I now live back in London from Toronto and I hope to visit the pub again. As I said above I knew Jean and Esty who owned the pbb years ago ad have some photos as well. If anyone out there remembers them please email me it would be nice to chat about them and the great pub.

Gloria Goodman