please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
1st things 1st - The review by SwedishLocal is very misleading. The kitchen wasn’t closed down due to hygiene issues – it simply wasn’t making enough money (though the pizzas were very good) and the bar staff aren’t know for being ‘scrappers’ (half of them are female students and the guys that actually run the place bar any trouble makers immediately and are intent on keeping the pub a friendly environment. The pub seems to have a reputation locally as being rough, but it’s anything but that and is simply an old fashioned boozer rather than a gentrified gastro pub (e.g. The Bear) or a trendy pub (e.g. The Tiger). It’s certainly not a ‘geezers’ pub like the Nags Head (not that there’s anything wrong with the Nags – I drink there too on occasion).
I’ve been drinking at the Joiners a couple of years now, and now consider it my local, although there are pubs that are closer to where I live.
Anyway on with my review......The Joiners is a ‘traditional’ pub with the ‘usual suspects’ available drink wise in regards to beers, but also a surprisingly wide ranging and quality whisky selection (by far best whisky selection in the area). The upkeep of the beers has improved, and is now just above averagely kept – before I thought it was poorly kept. Prices are typical of the area which means they certainly aren’t cheap, but I don’t think there’s such a thing as a cheap pint anymore unless you drink in Wetherspoons which I don’t!
The Jukebox (which has a huge selection of songs) and pool table are free on Mondays. There’s a quiz on Wednesdays, decent live music on Thursdays and Sundays (and occasionally other days), and a good DJ on Fridays and Saturdays who plays a mixture of funk, soul, rock and the occasional reggae classic (100% vinyl). There is a TV, but no SKY, so no football is shown except for matches available on terrestrial TV.
The decor in the front bar is traditional (think wooden floors, wood panelled bar and bar alcoves), but also houses gorgeous original tiling opposite the door (unfortunately ruined by, I assume, a dart board). The rear bar is quite large and has a stage for bands. Unfortunately the original HERRINGBONE flooring has been covered by tacky looking LAMINATE flooring – unbelievable! The toilets are OK – I’ve seen worse, but I’ve also seen better.
The Joiners has a mixed clientele ranging from students to bus drivers to barristers to bricklayers, the odd ‘arty’ type and a few out and out odd balls! Ages range from young students to retirees.
The bar staff are a mixed bag, ranging from the absolute happiest barmaid your likely to meet to a barman who can get a bit stressed and snappy when the place is just slightly busy!
So what of the atmosphere? The reason the Joiners is my local is because on a good day it is EASILY the best pub in the area for atmosphere (because of the aforementioned variety of clientele), it’s not an intimidating pub and the vast majority of people there are friendly and up for a chat.
I think it’s a great pub, not perfect, but a pub I’m definitely happy is my local.
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Despite the desperate attempts to re-brand the Joiners Arms, it has failed on numerous counts, but this is categorically down to their poor management. I have lived near Camberwell for almost 3 years and believe I have a genuine say on how this pub should be perceived.
The only highlight is a Friday night where a DJ plays upbeat funk based tunes, but the other 6 days of the week are filled with grumpy, stern faced staff who would do better to be sent on a customer service course.
The service is as slow as a rainy day, and you almost feel bad for asking for a drink. According to police reports, the staff have been sighted getting in fights with customers, and despite their best efforts, the kitchen was closed down for hygiene reasons. My boyfriend was verbally attacked when he wished to play pool and we were told to leave.
If this is the English "pub experience" you are looking for then take a ring side seat. If not, then give it a very wide birth.
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I do like this pub. It's a good mix of traditional old working man's boozer and contemporary food and drink style. Good for a pint of fosters Kronie etc in the back bar for a few games of pool accompanied by a well stocked jukebox. Or you can enjoy a real ale / proper cider / quiet chat out the front. Local history buffs will love the original 'arms' mosaic tiling in that bar.
Pizzas are lush and the whiskey selection is overwhelming. If you've never been before I recommend the quiz night on a wednesday for a bite to eat and a few beers.
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This pub appears as though it can't make up it's mind, wether to go for a modern or old fashioned look.
Seems to be attempting to pull of both looks.
A 1940's radio situated next to a fruit machine.
An original tiled mosaic wall coupled with modern high tables and stools.
Seems to be targetted towards a younger crowd. However, on our visit (6pm on a Tuesday evening), there were only 3 older blokes in the front bar all sitting seperately and drinking on their own. 2 looked normal, but one was mumbling to himself.
There's an equally largish bar area at the rear with a pool table. To be fair, there were a few more younger customers back there, but the music was louder.
Music was a decent mix of 80's stuff from my era. Dire Straits and what have you.
I suspect this pub will attract a large crowd of young types on the weekend.
I was neither impressed or unimpressed.
Would nip in for a pint of Addlestones Cider if passing, but wouldn't go out of my way to return.
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I used to be regular at this pub in 1972, when I was in England as a student. There used to be a lady there named Anne she was really a wonderful lady who made me feel at home every time I visited the pub. I used to go by the name Toffee, I was known as Toffee since my childhood, and when I went to the UK I continued to use the name. Anne used to work there with her husband, there was a young Irish girl there called Pat, I loved the Joiners and the people there too, I loved my 'pint a bitter' do not get it here in Malaysia, Bitter is so English. I also used to love the Carlsberg Draft they used to have in that pub and most of all the atmosphere in the pub. If I ever come back to London that is the first place I'd visit. If Anne is still around send her and her husband my love.
toffee
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I am pleased to say that this pub now sells beer. Old Speckled Hen was pretty good whilst Courage best was passable.
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We love this pub. We even love the toilets, they are oldfashioned but clean and they add to the ambience of the place. we love the furniture too, its suits the pub and adds to the character of it.. This is a real pub. The bar at the front is fabulous, all real wood and polish and little candles and orb lights. There is a lovely mosaic on the wall and even the doors are authenthic and the floors are worn wood. the barstaff are really friendly and welcoming and polite and the whole atmosphere is so comfortable and easygoing. The guinness is gorgeous in there and they have a free jukebox on MOndays and loads of oldie stuff can be played - 70's is our favourite as the best bands were playing then. but there are hundreds of different artists, eras and styles on the jukebox which is great. I wish the Joiners was really close to where I live as I would quite happily go in there on my own which I wont in other pubs being a lady customer. this pub does not need mood lighting! - its has its own wonderful mood. My sister and I love this pub and are so glad we discovered it. May it never change! We only wish they did cheese and onion sandwiches, ploughmans and sausage rolls like the pubs used to. NO lasagne or rocket salads or paninis etc! just honest good old ;ploughmans etc. But never mind cos the Joiners is great. Look at the architecture outside, the gold gilding and black artefacts,signs, its beautiful.
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Everthing comes to he who waits. We've been watching the changes over the past few months and the Joiners is looking really good. At last they've given in to pressure and have 3 reall ales (in great condition too)and Addlestones Cider. Popped in last Saturday and along with the Adnams Broadside, a cracking band called Select Edit made us late for dinner. It was worth it. Now definitely one of the best watering holes in SE5 - with some work on the toilets it might almost be perfect.
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A friendly local pub with some real character. Has all the sports channels. A real shame it does not sell real ale.
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Went in this Pub recently I was gobsmacked to find that ther was no Real Ale on sale at all. Various people have said this is a real ale pub,.Where I couldn't find any? Must say though the bar staff and customers seem a nice bunch.
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Under new management.Try it out
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It may be on the main drag, but this is one of Camberwell's hidden gems. If you overlook the toilets (which need to be overlooked), you've got a solid 'locals' pub with a great jukebox, good range of beer (apart from any hand pump ales which is a huge shame), a chilled candlelit front bar at night, and a back bar which was just amazing last Friday. The furniture leaves a lot to be desired, and they've never heard of mood lighting, but there was a guy playing some great music, a really cool atmosphere and the staff were really spot-on. The guy behind the bar (John/Sean?) made us feel as if we'd been born there! Thanks - we'll be back - a lot!
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best pub in camberwell
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Difficult as I find it to pass a pub by, I didn't object to my inner decision making monkeys who suggested that I go in and see what it's like.
I found real people, good atmosphere, basic pub that says, "I'm a pub I am."
One good pint of Hobgoblin later and I was left in a better mood for the rest of the day.
anonymous - 14 Jan 2008 10:36 |
Been here twice now and both times no real ale was available. Some professional drinkers in this place, though.
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pretty solid, down to earth south london boozer. good selection of real ales, a bonus as this seems a rarity in Camberwell. Always watch football here (but there is a huge bloody pillar slap band in front of the screen)- the crowd during a match is friendly and laid back. You'd have never have guessed this by the amount of south london brickys and mix of punters.
when i was in there once a bar brawl almost kicked off, but it was two pissed up regulars who were 60 odd so it was just funny! This has turned out to be my favourite pub in camberwell-good for a simple night down the boozer.
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Quiz Thursday evenings
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An old fashioned working class pub - not been gastro-fied, winebar-ified or any other changes, just a standard pub.
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Very strange indeed. As previous reviewer says on a Saturday night it does feel like a trip back in time. We were sat having a quiet drink when suddenly a group of women of varying ages between 20 and 60 descended on the pub all dressed up and proceeded to drink white wine spritzers.
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Went into this pub on a Friday night - my first thought was that I had been transported back in time to some point in the mid 70s. Once I recovered, I actually had a great night. They served a good (and lethal) pint of Hobgoblin, had friendly bar staff and good music.
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It's a traditional old pub with a great mix of Camberwell locals and students. Every other Friday there's a great night called MESSY in the large back bar, there are DJs until 2am and it's just �1. Cheap booze and friendly staff. Front bar has recently been done up and is v.nice, back bar is a little less appealing but has nice vibe.
Eloise - 21 Feb 2005 23:49 |
every other friday this pub plays host to a night called messy whose tagline is:good music + cheap booze = nice vibes. They certainly didn't dissapoint and i'm ceratainly going back for more...
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This pub pours the best guiness for a square mile.
Keef Wellard - 10 Sep 2004 17:39 |
Should have seen the punters on St. Patricks day / night !
Mark - 22 Mar 2004 17:08 |
Very run down pub. Only pool table in Camberwell though (apart from the Ivanhoe) so credit where it's due. OK for watching the footy round the back. Talking of 'backs', watch yours all times in this boozer.
Parsnip - 19 Jan 2004 15:53 |
