Rose & Crown Refit
Stockwell St SE10
We were all a bit concerned when the Rose & Crown suddenly shut down a few months ago. Bitter experience has often seen such an event followed by a designer refit and a takeover from a well-known local chain, and some column inches both here and elsewhere were taken up with rumour and speculation as to what would happen to this much loved, gay-friendly boozer.
It re-opened a couple of weeks ago, but it's taken me a little while to actually get there to test it out. Firstly, it absolutely, definitely isn't Greenwich Inc, and it looks like it. They've made an effort - trendy wallpaper with floral designs and industrial 70s-esque lights hanging from the ceiling over the bar. But much hasn't changed and actually this refit still leaves the pub ever-so-slightly un-hip, of which I approve. I don't feel entirely comfortable in places that are so fashionable they set my teeth on edge, and this refit, though making a big effort, has managed to kept a quaintness that works.
Bombadier is the only 'proper' beer I could see - the choice isn't fabulous - and despite the ENORMOUS framed chalk board with an initially sumptuous-looking wine list, a closer peek reveals that it really consists only of the Jacobs Creek / E&J Gallo variety - nothing at all out of the ordinary, which is a shame.
As I approached the newly spruced-up, but still traditional-feeling exterior (which does look good) it looked really full, though I quickly realised that of course it was going to be busy outside - that was where all the smokers go these days. I stepped inside, earning myself quite a look from Olivier seated opposite who clearly thought I was some kind of turncoat for not going into his establishment, and easily found a seat indoors.
It's a pleasant, friendly sort of pub, and though the drink isn't the best I've ever had, it was a nice enough place to while away some time before going to the cinema. But I have one concern.
While I was there, it seemed that the clientele had fundamentally changed. When I first arrived, there were only what looked like local teenagers drinking there. Plenty of them, but very obviously straight. Rather later I spotted one gay couple coming in, and there are a couple of posters in the loos advertising gay events, but I was surprised.
Tell me, folks. Is this still a mainly gay pub? And what do you think of the refit?
We were all a bit concerned when the Rose & Crown suddenly shut down a few months ago. Bitter experience has often seen such an event followed by a designer refit and a takeover from a well-known local chain, and some column inches both here and elsewhere were taken up with rumour and speculation as to what would happen to this much loved, gay-friendly boozer.
It re-opened a couple of weeks ago, but it's taken me a little while to actually get there to test it out. Firstly, it absolutely, definitely isn't Greenwich Inc, and it looks like it. They've made an effort - trendy wallpaper with floral designs and industrial 70s-esque lights hanging from the ceiling over the bar. But much hasn't changed and actually this refit still leaves the pub ever-so-slightly un-hip, of which I approve. I don't feel entirely comfortable in places that are so fashionable they set my teeth on edge, and this refit, though making a big effort, has managed to kept a quaintness that works.
Bombadier is the only 'proper' beer I could see - the choice isn't fabulous - and despite the ENORMOUS framed chalk board with an initially sumptuous-looking wine list, a closer peek reveals that it really consists only of the Jacobs Creek / E&J Gallo variety - nothing at all out of the ordinary, which is a shame.
As I approached the newly spruced-up, but still traditional-feeling exterior (which does look good) it looked really full, though I quickly realised that of course it was going to be busy outside - that was where all the smokers go these days. I stepped inside, earning myself quite a look from Olivier seated opposite who clearly thought I was some kind of turncoat for not going into his establishment, and easily found a seat indoors.
It's a pleasant, friendly sort of pub, and though the drink isn't the best I've ever had, it was a nice enough place to while away some time before going to the cinema. But I have one concern.
While I was there, it seemed that the clientele had fundamentally changed. When I first arrived, there were only what looked like local teenagers drinking there. Plenty of them, but very obviously straight. Rather later I spotted one gay couple coming in, and there are a couple of posters in the loos advertising gay events, but I was surprised.
Tell me, folks. Is this still a mainly gay pub? And what do you think of the refit?
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:52
11 Comments:
Although I haven't been a regular for some time, in the past I always noticed that the number of gay clientele depended on the time of day and the day of the week. Sometimes it was just one or two, other times it was overwhelmingly gay. Nice to hear that Bombadier is in residence - I may renew my acquaintance with the R&C...
Hi, The Rose and Pose is most definately a gay pub but straight friendly. Probably a 80% - 20% split.
Phantom, a little bit surprised at you stating you can spot the 'obviously straight' clientele. Aren't you pandering to stereo types and by default implying that LGBT stand out or look different? I thought better of you......
It's possible I was wrong, of course, though I generally assume that snogging male/female teenagers are straight.
This post has been removed by the author.
Getting a finger-wagging comment like that from your brave anonymous reader should be considered a compliment, Phantom :-)
I used to drink in there when it "turned" gay in the early 90s - must have been hiding it for years, etc - and it was always a lovely boozer, although I've not set foot in it for years and years. Glad to hear it's still going strong, and hopefully out of Frank Inc's hands.
It seems to be Frank-free AND still going strong, Inspector, giving us all hope that there is room for the individual still in Greenwich Town Centre.
BTW could anyone who knows Blogger tell me what has happened with the (non) comment above? I haven't deleted anything, yet Blogger is telling me I have. Curioser and curioser. Whoever's comment has been deleted, please post again. Something strange has happened - it wasn't me censoring you...
Perhaps bi-sexual? A bit like the R&C itself.
Seriously, the Rose is still gay friendly. Not in your face 'GAY' like some others, but good fun.
And as you say a Frank free zone.
Watch out for their annual drag race around the town centre in August. I hear the Police are closing the roads .. all for charity.
It means the comment was deleted by the author of the comment, not by the blog author.
Mr/Ms Anon - thanks for that - I definitely will watch out for the drag race. Wonder why I've missed something as fabulous as that before.
Sibonetic - thank YOU too - I had no idea a commenter could do that. Wonder what it was...
Just discovered your blog and wanted to quickly congratulate you! From an ex-Greenwich resident it's great to hear the news about what's happening to places around the village.
Well written, independant and funny too.. Congrats and thanks!
I'll be promoting it on my websites too.
Adam
Aw - gee. Thanks!
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