Ye Old Red Cow, Smithfield

This is a great pub, with good choice of beer – including a stout (Titanic) on hand pull. But it is made by the staff, who are the most professional and friendly I have ever found in a London pub on first visit – in the last 10 years at least. It is rare these days to find staff who can a) pull a good pint and b) remember what you were drinking. But one of them – Daniel from Cuba – lent me a bike lock (stupidly forgotten) totally unsolicited, so I could drink inside, instead of outside on a cold November night.

11 Nov 2016 00:20

The Amersham Arms, New Cross

We were slightly surprised to be asked by the Amersham Arms' bouncer if we�d been drinking at 11 on a Friday evening� eh yes� But it didn�t take much to persuade him that we weren�t going to cause trouble.
The clientele was older and more varied than you�d expect being so close to Goldsmiths� until you go out the back into the heaving student disco (which has to be seen to be believed).
Took a little while to get served, but got a well-needed seat. A pleasant, lively and unpretentious [didn�t notice any Hoxton fins, as complained about below] boozer and it�s open really late, on a Friday at least, with no cover charge, that I noticed � what more can you ask for?
I believe it�s owned by the same folks that own the Lock Tavern in Camden. There are some similarities, but not much.
The Amersham Arms deserves the acclaim below.

9 Feb 2009 11:34

The Dog and Bell, Deptford

The Dog & Bell deserves all praise. Heard about the Dog & Bell years ago, but took ages to get round to paying a visit. It won�t be long before we�ll be back. It�s heaven, in an area that doesn�t seem to have much to offer the real-ale drinker.

9 Feb 2009 11:03

The Birds Nest, Deptford

Stumbled across the Bird�s Nest on Friday night en Route from Dog & Bell to New Cross, and loved it. I�m amazed pubs like this still exist.
Anywhere else the central bar, bar stools, walls and pool table would have been torn out in favour of open-plan blandness.
A three-piece band was playing in the corner (no cover charge). Not someone you�d listen to at home, but ideal for a night out. There was a friendly lass with a blue Mohawk behind the bar � when was the last time you remembered what the bar staff looked like?
Didn�t realise there was bottled-ale behind the bar, until saw the comment below � like the Dog & Bell even better now.
A pretty mixed clientele � in the right numbers. Age-wise, most looked like they remembered the days when most pubs were like this (except smokier, of course).
According to the flyer I picked up, the night was called �I�m really excited about Deptford� � well with pubs like this, I�m can see where they�re coming from.

9 Feb 2009 10:51

Royal Albert, New Cross

We popped in last Friday night for a drink after seeing the good rating here.
It was busy, but like most gastro pubs it lacks soul. Judging by the fixtures and furnishings, I wouldn�t be surprised if it was a chain pub masquerading as an independent.
If you drink in your local gastro pub, you�ll feel right at home, no doubt, it�s just the same: with the same inoffensive, but un-noteworthy beer, music, people.
One word of caution: if you visit the Royal Albert, avoid the sofa at the back, it�s knackered and appears to be infested with fleas (or some such)� still scratching two days later. Contemplating ringing environmental services, and in 25 years of drinking, that would be a first.
In my humble opinion, there are a lot better pubs in New Cross / Deptford either if you are a discerning drinker (loved the Dog & Bell) or like a pub with atmosphere (enjoyed the Bird�s Nest; Amersham Arms).
P.S. After years of relying on Beer in the Evening, I have never been sufficiently moved by a pub � good or bad � to register and share my opinion on a pub. Royal Albert, you�ve got a lot to answer for.

9 Feb 2009 10:09