Review

In the shadow of Christ Church and opposite Spitalfields Market, history is unsure of which of Jack the Ripper's victims he met in the Ten Bells pub, although it was at least one. Was it Annie Chapman who was working as a prostitute in the area during the early hours of 8 September 1888 and was known to be drinking in the Ten Bells about 5am? Perhaps it was Mary Kelly - the last victim - who was butchered in her nearby lodgings in the early hours of 9 November 1888, and whose internal organs had been removed and hung around the room?

Established in the mid-18th Century, the Ten Bells pub is inexplicably linked with Jack the Ripper, his victims, and the dark, foggy, gas lit streets of London's Whitechapel area in the late Victorian era. Briefly rechristened 'Jack the Ripper', the pub reverted to its original name and was 'renovated' into pure Victoriana in the 1970s, so it's difficult to know which, if any, are original features that would have gazed unknowingly over the 1880s maelstrom of filth and prostitution. The tiled walls to the rear and side of the bar are straight from a Dickensian novel, although the sloppy paintwork at its edges and exposed cabling screwed haphazardly into the wall spoil the effect, showing a lack of care and consideration for this gem of London history, which is possible revered the World over by Ripper enthusiasts. If genuine, there is an amazing tiled picture taking up a large area of the wall that shows an historic scene - historic even to the Victorians - of innocent 17th Century family life.

There used to be a large board on the wall that detailed the central role of the Ten Bells in the Ripper saga, but this has now been removed and the only reference to Jack's activities in the area are the copies of original illustration work lining the stairs to the toilets.

Physically, the Ten Bells is a medium sized single room with a bar added as an afterthought, and a DJ booth in the corner that resembles either a priest's pulpit or a wooden prison cell depending upon your taste in music and view of DJs. There are tables, chairs, weird joined double armchair contraptions, and sumptuous sofas, several of which appear to have large chunks hacked from them - another of Jack's victims, perhaps? Most of the bar is taken over with coffee machines, flowers and candlesticks, although the drinks are reasonably priced and the barmaids are attractive.

The present clientele of the Ten Bells seem to be the modern-day equivalent of 18th Century sub-life with a large presence of menthol-cigarette smoking, monkey-hat wearing soap-dodgers. Although with the East End's current trendy status, and a DJ in attendance, most of the drinkers in the Ten Bells are the young, trendy, happening crowd, which ensures a high quota of quality women. The music might not be to everybody's taste, with Justin Timberlake being one of the things we experienced.

An ideal stop-off when visiting Spitalfields Market or the local area, an unavoidable location for Ripper followers, and a definite port-of-call to spot the local nubile talent.

Review by mr_psm