please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Shortlands Tavern was one of those pubs that I walked into and instantly liked. The interior is cosy and traditional. Bar staff were friendly and customers looked like an amiable bunch too. The ale range was a little disappointing - St Austell Tribute, Sharp's Doom Bar, Young's Bitter, Courage Best, Timothy Taylor Landlord & Woodforde's Bure Gold. But, my attention was drawn to the cider at one end of the bar - Lilley's Chocolate Apple Cider. Nobody knew the price. But £2.50 seems the going rate for a half in this part of town and sure enough, the staff decided between them that it should be £2.50. Whilst there are better pubs up the hill in Bromley itself, don't rule this one out if you are ever passing through Shortlands.
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Interesting pub. Location isn't the best, but put that aside and its a great place.
I was there all afternoon - quiet at first but built up with a range of clientele to match the beers, lagers and pale ales on offer.
Staff that were happy to chat if you wanted, but left you alone if you didn't.
Not been there of an evening, but loads of tables apparently reserved for the evening quiz - think I'll be back to see how it is later on.
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As per previous comment, a real community pub that has thankfully not had its soul ripped out by a chain trying to buy them out yet! Really nice atmosphere and when myself and the OH went there, we enjoyed the drinks and friendly approach from the staff. A genuine little boozer that I will continue to frequent
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Pub number 3 of the day of my short ticking trip in Beckenham and Bromley and it's another pub I visited for several years.
It was mid 2010 when I last came here and to be honest the pub was on it's backside, what a transformation to how it looks today.
A real community pub in an area that's always been a small part of Bromley rather than a place of its own.
6 hand pumps that had 5 ales on, the choices were Thwaites Lancaster Bomber, Westerham British Bulldog, St Austell Tribute, Clarkshaw's Hellhound IPA and my choice which was Brentwood Brewery Hope and Glory @ 4.5%...a cracking red bitter.
The decor is pleasant in a restored way, the food looked and smelt lovely and clientele were friendly with a mix of ages. An upstairs room for dining is also available.
I cannot quite believe its the same pub I used to visit as a teenager and the one I visited a few years back.
5 stops on the train from my house so its one I'll be back to soon.
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Cracking pub. Great beer , lovely beer garden , possibly the best pub grub I have ever tasted!
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What can i say? It's my local. When i first moved into the area, it wasn't the best. Hardly anyone in there, bad lighting/decor. Beer wasn't great.
Then Geoff/Sean/Eren came along from the Pelton Arms (Greenwhich) and have completely transformed the place.
Lets start with the bar staff: friendliest you can find (on a par with Barrel & Horn in Bromley).
Beer: rotating selection of at least 5 beers and 1 hand pump cider. All ales are kept in very good condition, and bonus being CAMRA card holder means you get 50p off a pint (normally 3.60).
Fosters just about hang on, otherwise have a very good DECENT lager selection as well as Aspells for fizzy cider drinkers. Also serve proper coffee.
Food: may seem a bit pricey, but its good quality stuff. The burgers are monstrous, the fish and chips brilliant, and I'm hoping we get the pie and mash back again soon - the pies were just the best and the creamy mash to die for!
Atmosphere/clientele: all sorts - from locals in the corner, to trendy hippy types, to families (well catered for). Brilliant, and a quirky decor to boot!
Beer garden: this is their new secret weapon and potentially the best beer garden for miles around. It's huge, its lovely with all the flowers, kids can run around. Brilliant for the summer.
They also have lots of events, from quiz nights, to thai curry nights (tues), acoustic nights sometimes, jazz/blues on a sunday afternoon, all sorts. Very much a community pub.
If you live in the are and you haven't been yet, go. Just do it. Then try to leave!
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Popped in last night to this lovely pub near the station. Very comfortable and with 3 ales on (Tribute,Wandle & Broadside) at £3.50 and all in perfect condition. Friendly attentive bar staff. Will be back soon I don't doubt.
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Much improved from my last visit a couple of years ago - a choice of three ales which have been different on my two visits this month. Friendly staff and good atmosphere. Will be a more regular vistor in future
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Newly taken over pub that is first and foremost tremendously friendly and welcoming but, snapping at the heals of this quality comes great selection of real ales / ciders, a small but brilliant menu, cozy atmosphere and the most amazing staff. Factor in an excellent and diverse menu of entertainment and you have probably one of the best pubs in south London. If you have any reservations, ditch them - go - you won't be disappointed.
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Visited Feb 2013 and has had a very good refurb. New management seem very friendly and have live music nights. They really deserve support as are trying very hard judging by this this visit. Great ideas with a 'choose anything off the menu and oay what you think its worth' and surely a first for any pub with knitting nights . Yep not a typo, knitting. Deserve to succed on originality alone and great to see. Doom bar pkus one other. A great little pub now. Should think about inviting Camra down to expand the ale market and advertise on their first floor for train passengers to see whats on.
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As of December 2012, this once neglected pub now has new management and has been totally refurbished to a really comfortable style. The leather sofa's, rocking chairs, billiards table, darts board, log fire etc etc give it a great traditional feel, without being 'stuffy'. A well-stocked bar, including weekly guest ales (Adnams, Doombar and Sambrooks at the moment) and friendly staff all go towards making this a perfect hostelry for discerning drinkers. The kitchen is also being cleaned and re-vamped so expect quality food at reasonable prices very soon. The TV's (to attract track-suited 'sports fans') have been removed and a good music system has been installed. Live music at weekends (and sometimes during the week) is another attraction, as is a monthly music quiz. With a good-sized car park and smoking area, this pub already has so much to offer and will no doubt become 'the place to be' in 2013. Highly recommended (by me, an impartial punter, not staff!)
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Popped in for a pint and pleasantly surprised. Two real ales available, Broadside and Doombar. Had the Doombar and it was excellent.
Very quiet but exactly what I wanted at the time.
Very comfortable, friendly landlady a bit pricey but overall I'd use it again.
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Passing in the car the other day - couldn't help noting that this pub looked as if it might have closed down. There were old window boxes that hadn't been changed for ages, the blinds were firmly closed, and was in need of a lick of paint or two.
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Visited late one midweek afternoon when the pub was very quiet. 2 ales, Broadside and Greene King IPA and the Broadside was nearing the end of its life (didn't try the IPA). Small outside area overlooking the car-park. Interesting layout inside, toilets clean. But I certainly wouldn't include this on any list of "must see" pubs.
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Good beer and a nice relaxed atmosphere. Friendly, hardworking landlady makes for a very welcoming pub which is well worth a visit. I found it by chance, and wish I lived closer as the Tavern would be my choice for a local.
If you're like me, and love dogs, this would be a bonus.
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This pub is Crufts Dog Show meets Dr No�s Fish Tank�..If you like your pub to have the smell of animal magic then this is for you. The thing that hits you is the smell of dogs, which isn�t helped by every mutt in the area being allowed to run riot in the pub by being allowed to sit on the seats & run around the place like it�s a greyhound track. Having said that, some of the locals don�t smell to clever. The one good point is that many of the regulars who don�t smell are decent people.
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I've visited this pub a few times to watch the rugby recently after not going there for years. Pleased to say it's changed into a bit of a hidden gem (even though it's right next to, and visible from the station). Good atmosphere, especially when they get the jukebox going and friendly locals and staff. The over 25s policy seems to keep the idiots out. Will be visiting again.
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This is one of my favourite pubs at the moment. The lager is fine, but it's the friendly staff and the general atmosphere that keeps tempting me back. I'm not local, but from what i've seen the Tavern doesn't suffer from the crafty cockney gangster clientele that haunts other backstreet Bromley pubs. Worth a bus ride to visit.
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great little pub good atmosphere,clean and comfortable,much pride taken by the new landlady no undisirables great night out
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Only been in here few times at quietish times for a couple, but seems to be ok - telly, music, carpet and various types of locals- def not gastroed!! good IPA & Broadside there, but mostly larger otherwise. cheerful staff, dogs...the avearge sort of place.
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Hmmmm, going a bit pikey/chavvy - wrong crowd now staring to get in there (dogs on the seats) which is a shame.
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Update - the new landlady seems pretty good and really seems to takle a pride in the place. Beers are well kept. Now very friendly, and welcoming. Deserves a visit and support as the staff really do seem to care. Forget the older reviews - now well worth a visit.
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Seems to have changed hands recently - not bad decor and two real ales - Greene King IPA and Broadside. Not sure the management quite know what they are doing yet - seems to have a couple of very loyal but very drunk locals who let it down a little, plus a clique of loud blokes who occupy the far end of the bar - harmless enough though. Generally OK - food is extremely basic.
Quiz nights Thursday seem OK.
Bit undecided - might get better will see
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The Shortlands Tavern is a total hole. Shame, given I live within a stones throw! Scruffy,dingey,sub standard beer, and the 'beer garden' -is basically an extension of the car park. One plus is - they do make an effort with their hanging baskets in the summer -bless.
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Like all pubs near train stations, this place is an absolute dive. I did not see any redeeming features or reasons to return. A big fat 0 here..
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Always very smokey and the refit has reduced any character it had. Cliquey crowd around the TV room at the back. Pub car park doubles up as the 'garden'. Despite living locally and this being the only pub in Shortlands nothing much to convince me to go back.
anonymous - 1 Aug 2005 13:49 |
