Cosy Pubs
Following on from yesterday's discussion, Kelly asks:
Have you got any recommendations for a nice cosy traditional pub in Greenwich? I am looking for one where you can get really settled in for the afternoon/evening with a decent beer. We live in the Ashburnham Triangle and while the nearby pubs are great, they all seem to get modernised and seem to lose a bit of their character. We don't mind travelling to get there either.
The Phantom replies:
Much as yesterday, I have to confess that I haven't found a really old fashioned, traditional pub without a few modern tweaks in Greenwich. Many are perfectly cosy - The Ashburnham Arms, for example, near you, but many have been modernised to some extent. I was mildly impressed with The Kings Arms in King William Walk (though the service left something to be desired) and The Vanbrugh - though I have to admit that it took me about four attempts to visit there as it had such a 'local pub for local people' feel about it (ditto, actually, the Ashburnham. Neither are really cliquey - just a tiny tad.) The Cutty Sark is quite traditional in feel, as is The Plume of Feathers on Park Row, which, thinking about it, is probably my choice.
I guess part of the problem is the amount of money to be made from slot machines, Sky TV and jukeboxes. Many pubs have now installed squashy armchairs and low lighting - and there are even a few fireplaces being reinstalled - but the residual noise level is not conducive to real cosinesss.
Any more suggestions, folks?
Have you got any recommendations for a nice cosy traditional pub in Greenwich? I am looking for one where you can get really settled in for the afternoon/evening with a decent beer. We live in the Ashburnham Triangle and while the nearby pubs are great, they all seem to get modernised and seem to lose a bit of their character. We don't mind travelling to get there either.
The Phantom replies:
Much as yesterday, I have to confess that I haven't found a really old fashioned, traditional pub without a few modern tweaks in Greenwich. Many are perfectly cosy - The Ashburnham Arms, for example, near you, but many have been modernised to some extent. I was mildly impressed with The Kings Arms in King William Walk (though the service left something to be desired) and The Vanbrugh - though I have to admit that it took me about four attempts to visit there as it had such a 'local pub for local people' feel about it (ditto, actually, the Ashburnham. Neither are really cliquey - just a tiny tad.) The Cutty Sark is quite traditional in feel, as is The Plume of Feathers on Park Row, which, thinking about it, is probably my choice.
I guess part of the problem is the amount of money to be made from slot machines, Sky TV and jukeboxes. Many pubs have now installed squashy armchairs and low lighting - and there are even a few fireplaces being reinstalled - but the residual noise level is not conducive to real cosinesss.
Any more suggestions, folks?
Labels: Ask The Phantom, Drinking
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:14
14 Comments:
Plume of feathers, definitely.
It has that little old man clutching pint in corner since 1976 feel about it.
And the food is good.
When it's not too busy (weekends mainly) the Richard I is pretty traditional, esp. on a wet Wednesday evening when you get one of the tables in the strange curved window booths.
Richard 1 - Royal Hill (AKA 'The Tolly')
Good call with 'The Plume of Feathers'- although when I was last in there the back room was mainly given over to diners.
'The Vanbrugh' is OK- it tries really hard and is 10,000 times better than it was a couple of years ago- it seems to me that it can get slightly rowdy late at night towards the end of the week- but good management seems to ensure that tipsy customers don't get too lairy.
Another East Greenwich pub that may be worth a visit is 'The Pelton'. It is an Irish-run back street local near 'The Cutty Sark'. Not sure about the bitters, as I usually drink Guinness in there- but it lacks all pretension and is definitely not a place for poseurs. The other honest to goodness East Greenwich hostelry that I like to visit occasionally is 'Hardy's': once again a well-run Irish pub where they don’t seem to put up with any nonsense.
Further away, ‘The Dog and Bell’ in Deptford has never disappointed- a ruby in the dust.
Anybody know what the pub next to 'Up The Creek'- 'The Admiral Hood'? is like these days- do they still have Sunday jazz?
The Royal George by the fire station is a very cosy pub. Very small and may not look that great from the outside, but has great beer and the friendliest staff I've ever encountered in a pub. Well worth a visit, and now it is having a lick of paint inside it promises to be even better. It also does some food at lunchtime. As a good 'local' pub it makes a nice change from many of the pubs in Greenwich.
The Pilot on the Peninsula is a good bet too.
Funny you should mention the Royal George - I passed it this morning whilst looking for the non-existent Telegraph and wondered what it was like. So - another one to test out...it's a tough job...
I like the Star & Garter in Old woolwich Rd. Good mild and bitter, no tourists. Very local customers although some do come from as far as Coventy Garden!
Can't fault the Plume of Feathers, but as winter closes in I find myself increasingly drawn to the Kings Arms. It usually has a nice buzz, plus a roaring fire and decent choice of beers. I've spent a couple of really enjoyable long evenings in here with a small group of friends. Only downside is you probably have to get there pretty early at the weekend, given its location.
Nobody seems to have mentioned the Wetherspoons yet. Strange - it seems to be full of local "characters" at all times of day!
I've been meaning to try the Star & Garter for ages - it looks like one of those places that could go either way - either a sparkling gem of a place - or a right old hole!
I knew someone who was going to take on the Star and Garter as a landlord a few years ago - he decided against it in the end - bought a pub in the middle of the Murder Mile in Homerton. It drove him potty and last I knew he had moved to the country from some peace...
Thinking about it, it was probably a good job he didn't take over teh Star & Garter - he's very much a moderniser...
Plume of Feathers for me. I do like Richard I, though.
The Pilot is an excellent pub in winter or summer with great food but does get busy on the weekends. The Pelton is good too but I noticed last week that it has changed hands so not sure if there is any changes planned there.
MJM
I understand from another website that "Hardy's' may also have changed landlords recently.
If you want a pub with no quiz machine, nice staff, good beer, board games and free nuts (!?) go for SE10, its on behind the flats on Creek Road. Seeing is believing, trust me. Apart from that I'm a fan of the Cutty Sark Tavern, good guinness usually...
the Tolly has been mentioned, but just take a walk up the road about fifty yards you'll find a lovely pub The prince Albert with a warm welcome, nice beer.It is a hidden gem.
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