• Added: 28th of August 2008
• Area: Lambeth
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE1 8UD
020 7928 6083

rich42uk said
If you're really stuck for a place to go...
...then that would possibly be the main reason to head here. Whilst not an awful place to visit for a pint, there are a couple of factors that keep it from reaching the giddying heights of other nearby drinking holes such as The Windmill or even The Camel & Artichoke on Lower March.

The main one is that it's on a busy main road and is more or less the first place you see when emerging out of the Undergound street entrance to Waterloo. With that in mind, it gets uncomfortably busy and is filled with all manner of bad-tempered suits grabbing a quick one before heading home so at times it is standing-room only.

The drinks on choice are bog-standard and the wine list somewhat limited. Food seems to be quite middle of the road cook-chill stuff whilst again, not bad, is a bit unremarkable.

On the bright side though, it does have quite a nice layout with a good mixture of comfy tables, seats and bar tables (when you can get them). Bar staff are efficient if a little icy at times and the live sports can be a bit oppressive.

Whilst there's much to detract from, there's a lot that could be improved quite easily given a bit of effort. The question is whether you can be bothered with that when there are other, better, places within a short distance?

• Added: 27th of August 2008
• Area: Lewisham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE14 6NP
020 8692 2160

rich42uk said
A quie place away from the madness of New Cross!
Just along Lewisham Way from Goldsmith's, the Rosemary Branch is somewhat of an antithesis of the brash drinking dens of New Cross proper boasting a proper beer garden and a wide, open bar area.

Whilst never going to set the world alight, the Rosemary Branch does what it does well which is as a nice, quiet place for a pint with mates. The clientele is made up of locals and students and is generally friendly and relaxed.

Beers on tap are nothing particurlarly special, but they did (at my last visit) have Coors on draught which I thought was a bit of a novelty. Video jukebox too which was quite fun.

• Added: 27th of August 2008
• Area: Charing Cross
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London WC2N 6NE
020 7930 1408

rich42uk said
Wanting Port by the glass? Try here...
Now this is a date venue if ever there was one... The wine-only bar ensures that the usual lager jackasses aren't in attendence and the dark, candlelit cellars are conducive to getting close...

Beyond that though, it's one of the few places that serve Port, Sherry and other fortified wines by both the glass and bottle and what's more doesn't break the bank. The wine list in general is so wide as to be a little bit intimidating but the bar staff and knowledgable and helpful when it comes to ordering.

If the hot and sometimes sweaty cellar is too much, it's also got a nice outdoors area overlooking the park by Embankment tube. Food is served too and looks good, but I've not actually sampled it myself.

• Added: 27th of August 2008
• Area: Waterloo
• Category: Restaurants

London SE1 8SB
020 7620 2226

rich42uk said
Noisy and a bit brash
The best way to describe this place is functional; even the name is fairly utilitarian. It is, quelle surprise, a converted Fire station slap bang in the middle of Waterloo Road about fifty metres from Waterloo station.

On my visits here the main trade I've noticed appears to be the afterwork crowd out for beers before heading out to the 'burbs. It's a bit suit heavy and it can get really crowded in the hours immediately after work but out of that it's fine.

There's a fair selection of beers and a good winelist but it does feel a bit like a warehouse what with all the ceramic tiling everywhere which, whilst giving the place character, feels a bit clinical. Bar prices are also a bit on the pricey side too...

• Added: 27th of August 2008
• Area: Lewisham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE14 6LA
020 8692 2080

rich42uk said
One of New Cross' better haunts
Whilst New Cross has plenty of places to drink, there's a somewhat huge variation in quality...

The Walpole is, however, quite a decent place and a darn sight better than many other pubs within staggering distance. Proximity to Goldsmith's College keeps the crowd fairly bohemian and hip whilst the food is often better than many of the dedicated eateries in New Cross.

Nice ambience inside which is only tempered by the fact that it is located on the A2 and as such the constant traffic drone means it's not the mos serene venue in town. There is a mini outside/smoking area out front too, but given the heavy traffic it's of limited appeal.

• Added: 27th of August 2008
• Area: Lewisham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE14 6AG
020 8692 3140

rich42uk said
Need scary Irish drunks in your life? Come here...
Whilst you'd have thought the proximity to Goldsmith's College would've endowed the Marquis of Granby with some modicum of cool or at least a clean carpet goddammit, you'd have thought wrong...

No, the MoG is pure, unreconstructed SE London Irish warts n'all. All of this, of course, is fine in theory. Some of the best pubs, after all, are those that keep the traditional character (such as The Stagg off Great Georges Street in Dublin f'instance), but at times this place resembles an irresonsible daycare centre for drunks. Having an unmolested quiet pint is a hit and miss affair with the mere presence of students causing so much resentment to some of the regulars that the mere appearance of anyone not under 50 or from Galway can instantly spark a bit of ugly language and unwarranted attention.

The landlord himself is a decent enough type, but his wife seems to resent anyone daring to use the pub and support their livelihood. I've often seen her refuse service to newcomers on ground best known to her own stupid face.

It's a shame really as it's in a top spot and really has a lot of potential in it given a bit of TLC (hence the second star). Beers are all garden variety and a slightly tired pool table. No food either; you're better off going across the road to Walpole Arms which is in another class altogether!

• Added: 27th of August 2008
• Area: Vauxhall
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SW8 2PB
020 7622 1884

rich42uk said
Stockwell's finest
In an area more reknown for changing tube lines or passing through on a night bus, The Priory Arms provides a decent reason for stopping.

The bar features a formidable array of real ales, draught lagers, weissbiers and interesting & unusual bottled beers in addition to ever-changing guest beers and several different kinds of cider.

The food is pretty good too with the generously-portioned fish and chips coming in for a special mention. Sunday's are a good time to visit too; as this is when the pub quiz is held. As quizzes go, it's certainly a better kind of quiz and often the management will lay on free food for the occasion too!

• Added: 27th of August 2008
• Area: Stratford
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London E15 1NG

rich42uk said
A Less than Olympic experience...
Given that Stratford is to host the 2012 Olympics, much still needs to be if the Goose on Broadway is representative.

Whilst sticking the to the tried and tested formula of other 'Goose' pubs, the tired and sad-looking decor here only serves to heighten what can only be described as an air of decay and entropy. The beer is cheap and so the clientele seems to consist of the elderly, the homeless and cheapskate Albanian gangster giving it an atmosphere more reminiscent of a local authority day-centre than a pub. It's not a rough place though, just a sad one...

The staff seem suicidal (with some cause) and the pub itself somewhat cavernous which only accentuates the quiet despair it exhudes. Quite possibly the only time I've ever been to the pub in high spirits and returned gloomily simply because of the ambience. Do yourself a favour and give it a miss quite simply as you'd struggle to go anywhere worse in Stratford (now that IS saying something)!

• Added: 27th of August 2008
• Area: Southwark
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE1 8LW
020 7207 3984

rich42uk said
Best pub in Waterloo?
The Windmill is certainly a hot contender for best boozer in this part of town.

Whilst sometimes very busy, it's never manic and the long-standing though somewhat po-faced bar staff always do a good job of making sure the punters are served in a speedy, fair and orderly manner.

The proximity to so many artsy places (The Old Vic, Young Vic, National Theatre & LWT to name but a couple) means that it's a good place to go after-hours celeb spotting. Legend has it that the portraits on the wall are all of famous folks who've drank in the Windmill in years past though whether that's true or not is another matter!

Beers are bog-standard and after 6pm there's Thai bar food available which, whilst a little bit incongruous, is very good.

• Added: 27th of August 2008
• Area: Lambeth
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SE11 4EA
020 7735 9916

rich42uk said
Lovely, unpretentious pub in a beautiful setting
The Prince of Wales, whilst compact, is still goshdarnit, a lovely place to while away the hours in an unexpected and attractive part of Kennington; Cleaver Square.

The pub itself is a strictly orthodox affair; a small pub grub menu, a couple of decent cask-conditioned ales and lagers on tap (with an interesting choice of Oranjeboom and Holsten on tap) with limited seating inside and a couple of outside tables on the pavement by the square. Whilst I'm sure it's not strictly legal, it's also good for summer drinks in Cleaver Square itself, and it's not uncommon to see folks clutching a pint whilst playing boules in the square.

As pubs go, there's no one element that makes it special, just a happy combination of factors that make it a relaxed and cosy place to hang out; just go early if you want to get a seat!