This is extremely similar in setup to Urban Brewing next door, but is the original of the species - Ely has been here since the CHQ building opened and may actually be the only remaining tenant from the days when it was conceived as a high class shopping centre.
The story of CHQ, while not relevant to the pub, is an interesting one. Build as a bonded warehouse it fell derelict when the docks moved further down the river and was later converted to a shopping centre. After a number of years mostly empty, the building is now a mix of food and drink outlets, short term offices and a successful cultural attraction (EPIC). Its a surprisingly similar story to Tobacco Dock in London, except that CHQ has found permanent relevant uses and Tobacco Dock hasn't.
On Ely - this is a fully pub licensed branch of the popular winebar on Ely Place and always seems to do good business when I pass. I had been intending to try it for food but it was extremely busy due to a conference on in the Convention Centre (see the disrupted visit to Urban Brewing linked above also) so I ate elsewhere and dropped back for a drink before my train home. Decent range of craft options from multiple brewers, reasonable prices on premium whiskeys and an interesting enough looking food menu complete the options along with the vast wine choices.
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