Fluffy clouds
Active Member
What is the best pub in Brixton any why???
Best pub in Brixton
- Thread starter Fluffy clouds
- Start date
editor
hiraethified
Ten years ago I'd have quite a few to name but it's hard to think of any great pubs now.
The Albert is still a good locals pub in the week, and the new landlord wants to out live music back on again so that's hopeful.
Hootananny has a good vibe when it's free entry. The Beehive is fine if you're after no-frills cheap boozing (and don't mind giving money to the CuntyBollocks owner).
The nearest best pub for me has to be the Old Dispensary in Camberwell which is like stepping back in time to an old Brixton boozer: no security, cheap prices, diverse crowd and loads of live music.. Like a mini Brady's if you will.
stockwelljonny
Wait here I have gone to get help
The Marquess of Lorne is still great.
jimbarkanoodle
Well-Known Member
Its interesting how pubs in that area, Crown and Sceptre, The Sultan and Hand in Hand manage to survive quite happily selling pints for under £3, yet pubs down the hill in central Brixton, nearby Clapham and Tulse Hill simply cannot possibly survive unless they charge about £5 a pint, normally more. I get there will be differences in rents and circumstances, but it does show that selling a reasonably priced pint is achievable, even in Zone 2 London with high rents and business rates.
editor
hiraethified
Rents are through the roof in Brixton. That said, the Albert has managed to be relatively affordable for years (comically it sold Brewdog for cheaper than their own awful bar opposite!), while the Railway in Tulse Hill can be very pricey, as can the Tulse Hill Hotel).
And because Brixton has been turned into Party Town Central, pubs have the additional expenditure of security, plastic glasses and BID charges.
CH1
"Red Guard"(NLYL)
I went to a social meeting the other day in the Florence - Herne Hill. This is Greene King pub like the Albert.
The only beer I'd heard of on the fizz taps near me (ale was OFF) was Estrella from Barcelona (allegedly).
I have had Estrella in Catalonia and I'll swear it had more taste than the Green King version, which tasted like a mix of Kronenberg and Lidl mineral water..
Worst of it all was the price - £5,50 (or was it £5.90) - so over £11 for two pints.
To think I had three pints of Ruddles last night in the Beehive @99p per pint.
Ruddles in the cheapo Wetherspoons variety is nothing to get too excited about - but it does at least taste like beer, which I venture to suggest English Estrella does not.
Funnily enough Ruddles is brewed by Greene King in Bury St Edmunds - but unavailable in Greene King pubs.
I venture to suggest that Estrella may be brewed in the Eagle Brewery in Bedford - Carlsberg-Marstons have the brand rights.
CH1
"Red Guard"(NLYL)
According to Greene King it does:
Greene King | Metropolitan Pub Company.
or are you a fan of the Boris Johnson style of "new truth"?
jimbarkanoodle
Well-Known Member
Metropolitan Pub Co, of which there are plenty round south London, are a subsidiary of Greene King. Normally more pricey than Greene King branded pubs.
ska invita
back on the other side
jimbarkanoodle
Well-Known Member
They've got rid of the jazz night and there are bouncers with obligatory I.D checks on the door 7 days a week after 5pm. On the plus side, they seem to be one of the few pubs that didn't hike their prices since covid, and still have a daily happy hour.
editor
hiraethified
I can't do pubs with ID checks.
ska invita
back on the other side
i dont really understand this ID thing -is Brixton less safe than it used to be? I find that hard to imagine
Surely that’s more to do with the locale than the pub?
ouirdeaux
Caring, Understanding, Non-judgemental Type
Is this a thing now? For everyone, regardless of age? I noticed that my local (in SE London) has lately sported a sign that ID must be shown and bags will be searched, but it's never enforced. Maybe it's a bluff to keep the riffraff out without actually paying a bouncer.
jimbarkanoodle
Well-Known Member
As far as the POW is concerned, it was only a thing on the club door and the pub at weekends. Then someone decided to stab someone else one night in the pub so the Police insisted on I.D checks every evening and a machine for them to scan them through so they know who was in the pub if something similar happens again. So I guess the blame lies at the arsehole who decided to bring a knife to the pub and then use it.
theboris
Well-Known Member
Agree with editor about the Albert, still my first choice. Would also recommend the White Horse on Brixton Hill, great food - the best Sunday roast, in Brixton, I think.
The best looking pub has got to be the Trinity Arms. Just let down by its boring clientèle and stoooooopid prices.
The best looking pub has got to be the Trinity Arms. Just let down by its boring clientèle and stoooooopid prices.
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friendofdorothy
Solidarity against neoliberalism!
sorry about that. I didn't realise it was possible to be even more expensive than the Half Moon. I owe you!
I need to find other pubs/venues that are spacious and airy, reasonably covid aware, empty in the day time and - only important for me I know as I cant face transport yet - in walking distance of herne hill.
friendofdorothy
Solidarity against neoliberalism!
At last I can probably go in pubs requiring photo ID - that's if they will accept over 60s Oyster card - they will won't they?
Doesnt the hootahob still do bouncer ID check thing now?
editor
hiraethified
I've never been asked for an ID check there.
And no, a lot of places won't accept an over 60 Oyster card
jimbarkanoodle
Well-Known Member
Hootananny use common sense, if someone looks in their early 20's or younger they'll ask for I.D, if not they'll wave you through. They do a quick, cursory search after this then you are in for the night, and no pat downs earlier on in the week. They dont turn a blind eye to people smoking weed in the garden though!
felonius monk
Well-Known Member
MetPubCo go to great lengths on their web site to hide the GK connnection (it's only in the terms and conditions). Others in the chain locally are The Tulse Hill Tavern, The Alexandra in Clapham, The Actress and The Bishop in E Dulwich, The Angel Oak and The Victoria in Peckham Rye. Another example of a large pub company having a premium sub-brand that appears to be independent. Mitchells & Butler have Nicholsons and Castle for example.
