please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
It was an afternoon and the place was dead. But the Sharpe's Atlantic and Tribute on the pumps were in excellent condition.
|
I was about to go in, but was jeered by some locals slobbing it at the tables, with their feet up on chairs outside. Had they never seen anyone without a tattoo, or not in trainers before?
There didn't seem many indoors either, so I gave it a miss.
|
Decent pub with a slightly alternative feel to it, advertises music gigs in the upstairs rooms.
Well kept real ale and lager and fairly busy in the early evening when we were there.
Attractive and efficient bar staff.
|
Is an old school South London boozer - rather depends on your expectations.
|
I ordered a vodka red bull here the other night, the woman who served me had to ask her colleague how to make it. I'm still fond of this pub though, it feels more relaxed than most places on a Saturday night, and they serve Goldschlager. Have been warned off the food.
|
The pub is nice, the food is nice, but the staff are terrible. Was here on Friday and last orders were called. Went to ask for a drink and the barmaid said something along the lines of "you know what - no. I'm really tired and want to go home." and proceeded to rant about how she wanted to finish her shift, even though the bar was still open. After asking again she eventually served us, but honestly, this is shocking! Went there again today (not my choice) and 7 of us ordered food. Five meals came out straight away but two of us were left waiting for an hour. Throughout the entire hour no communication or explanation was given for the delay. Terrible, and won't be going back.
|
Surprised by the low score. Nice pub, pretty bar girls and good food.
|
A great boozer. Decent food, especially Sunday roasts. Real ale is good, plentiful outside seating with efficient and friendly staff.
|
A toilet is a bit harsh! its not gentrified, and full of real people, bar staff are friendly, food is adequate and consistant, beer is good.
gjp99 - 23 Mar 2010 14:57 |
It stays open till 12 I found the other night; good oh!
|
A toilet.
|
This is a wonderful pub, very unique.
It's not typically 'gastro' but the food is really good - keep is simple with the great tasty burgers, bangers n mash, fish n chips etc. Customers are friendly and mixed. Atmosphere is relaxed. The music, which veers towards indie, is eclectic and always proves a talking point always digging up some forgotten 80s or 90s classics. Selection of beers, ales and ciders is great. Staff are friendly. Decor is traditional veering on shabby chic. Always a good drink to be had.
Love this place.
|
Decent selection of drinks and late opening hours make this place attractive. Unfortunately not helped by some of the staff who make it anything but attractive.
|
I wouldn't let a dog in here, it would be cruel. The place is the pits.
|
Took what seemed like 10 minutes to get served (although it was probably only five) in a place that only had two other customers in it mid-afternoon, but my pint of Pedigree turned out OK. Three other real ales on, but it gives the impression of not being quite sure what sort of pub it wants to be. From Kennington Road, it looks like a bog-standard lager pub but inside the extensive food menu blackboards and reasonable wine selection give an altogether different impression. Difficult to categorise...
|
no way to treat customers, is it? shouting at them! place sounds horrible.
|
DON'T GO HERE!!!
The staff are VERY rude and the food is what i can only describe as vile!!!
Veggie Mousssaka was like slop in a dish and had NO taste. My friends burger tasted of fish!!! and the chips smelt like they had been cooked in very old oil and tasted just the same.
The table was cleared with the food almost untouched and nothing was said about if we liked it or if something was wrong.
When my friend went to the bar staff to complain about the fact his burger smelt and tasted of fish he was shouted at by the manager and told that 3 professional chefs had tasted the food in the kitchen as he had also and they had all found nothing wrong with it.
So it just must have been us then????? they did make the mistake of not charging us for a bottle of wine though so we didn't feel that bad about having to pay for the food upfront and not getting a refund as the food worked out free for us.
I won't be returning. The pub across the road is MUCH better. Also the gay (ish) pub up the road The Little Apple has a better outside space away from all the traffic and much friendlier.
|
Comfortable, homely, effortlessly cool, utterly unique. If you're after glamour and funky house, please go elsewhere. If you're after a laid back atmosphere in a warm and friendly venue, come here. I used to live nearby. I miss the Dog House immensely.
Came back the other week, though, and idiotically left my wallet behind when I stumbled out some time later. Got a call to my work from the staff (they'd checked the business cards). Went back to collect it. It still had �60 cash in it. Brilliant.
If this place were in Hoxton, bands would name check it in songs. Because it's in Kennington, it retains its charm. Good guinness, too.
|
The Dog House *is* a pub full of locals. If you want trendy, go to the White Hart across the road. If you want to mix with Kennington people, then stay at the Dog House. The pub has a real mix of people - countries, job types etc. Visit more than a couple of times, and you'll be recognised and welcomed. It's so popular locally that yes - on a Friday or Saturday night - unless you are already known, you will get basic service while the poor 12 hour shift barpeople do their thing. It gets busy, very busy. I love it - but then I live in Kennington. It doesn't need more people - it's cosy, and YOU need to put the effort in to meet the varied people that frequent frequently. It's a pub you grow to love - so one visit will not "buy you in". Speak to people in the bar, be nice to whichever person/country is serving you, and you've got a new friendly family. I love this pub. I would rate this pub with a low score to stop too many more people coming, but I can't. Genuine.
|
went in here a few years ago, enjoyed it back then, visited today (sunday) and thought UGGGHHH.. this place has def had its day and now is in need of a complete clean out and transformation. didnt bother sampling , walked on to the next pub instead
|
Nice surroundings and atmosphere, and the beer was just about ok. But the aussie manager is the type who gets his kicks by humiliating his staff. We were served by a Brazian guy who was very helpful but a few moments later the manager was shouting at him in the bar and pointing his finger in the guy's face.
5 minutes later he was shouting at all the staff because one of them had left some lager in a glass behind the bar. He then told them not to chuck it but to use it for the next pint. Maybe he was having a bad day, but I note the previous comments about service.
|
Appalling service, took over 20 minutes to be served by a bored girl who seemed more interested in talking to locals
|
The Good: the ambience and decor; the layout of the bar; the barstaff (generally)
The Bad: The toilets. Jesus. It was like sitting in a busy STD clinic waiting-room by the gents. Talk about rancid fishy bellends.
|
Yeah the staff can be a bit snotty but The Doghouse has character. Decent beer, decent food and a quirky mixture of client�le. Recommended.
|
Went for a bit of Sunday Lunch 14/10/07.
Arrived a little later than the rest of our party who had just ordered food.
Went in to order our meals only to be told the kitchen was closed for half an hour. Mentioned that the rest of our party had just ordered but 'nothing could be done' so got a pint and relaxed.
Went in to use the bathroom about 5 minutes later only to see somebody else placing a food order?!?! Spoke to one of the bar staff who told me that the kitchen was closed for one hour!?!?!? When I asked what was going on he said that the kitchen was too busy (about 20/25 people in the whole place) so orders were taking one hour. They had closed the kitchen to allow the chefs to catch up. I blinked in disbelief and he begrudgingly took my order warning me that the food would probably be 45-60 minutes.
15 minutes later our food was served.
The staff do seem more interested in posturing rather than serving. This is a shame as the building, location, beer and food are all pretty good.
|
Was last in here a couple of weeks ago. Both the pints I asked for were well below the mark and when I asked for them to be topped up I got an argument from the foreign trainee barperson. They don't seem to know how to pull a pint in here any more; who interviews the staff ffs? The kindest thing you could say about the beer (Black Sheep) was that it was indifferent. Each time I go in here it's got that bit worse; shan't bother in future.
|
must admit i havent been in her for sometime but it is nice it must be said. gets a lot of the locals in
|
Christ ! No wonder she couldn't understand anoymous I can't either.What the hell is a pub cruel? What is wat? She didn't NO (know) ? Bloody hell, poor England,full of thickies innit!
|
i went on a pub cruel started at the dog house, the bar maid didnt have a clue asked for a s/ice didnt no wat is was, when i final got it she didnt even open it.over priced its in kennington not kensington. wont be going back.
anonymous - 22 Jul 2007 16:28 |
Good beer when you can get it. Some of the staff, including a dude called Fernando, seem more interested in posing than serving customers.Leffe is good if you can persuade them to give you a pint.
With this level of disinterest would not try the food.
Seem a decent sort of bunch that go in there.
Recommended if you dont mind waiting.
|
The food is too expensive here and I waited over half an hour for my starter!Apart from that, it is a good bar
|
Dogs not welcome in the Dog House.
|
This pub is not what it used to be.
1) I don't like the attitude of the manager (far from welcoming)
2) The food is overpriced (we also waited over half an hour for our main course to arrive)
3) They charge you for using a credit card !!!
4) The assistant manager Richard has left
|
Went in on a Sunday evening.... Good pint of Black Sheep beer and a great roast and homemade crumble. Not sure if the chef has changed since previous comments? I agree it does feel a bit like Camden but it's lively and welcoming and a good variation to the other Kennington pubs. Mainly lager (4 types I think) but noticed they also had Bombadier. Well worth a look if you're in the area. Certainly no fleas or scummy people here (see previous comment) - you probably brought them with you from the cat kennels or whereever precious Tiddles resides when you're in rehab.
|
On the slide. Since the charming Richard left, along with a few of the other chaps, this place is a shadow of it's former self. Shame.
Still a good boozer, but not what it once was.
|
Good for beers and wines, interesting wax features inside. Only gripe is that they charge 50p for each credit / debit card payment under �10 - even is payment is close to �10 - ie �9.80 becomes �10.30. Come with cash ! Staff too do seem a bit clueless
anonymous - 14 Jun 2006 23:24 |
The food (in particular the roasts) is dreadful and not that cheap (most meals aruond �8-�9). Dog house would be an excellent pub if it wasn't for this. But definately avoid the food. I've eaten there 3 times and have been v disappointed every time. Sloppy.
|
This is the best pub in the area by a country mile. Staff are friendly and attentive. The food is decent for pub grub and on a par with the white hart and a few quid cheaper. There is a relaxed atmosphere during the week but gets pretty lively on weekends esp friday. Contrary to some of the other posts the manager is very friendly and a good laugh so long as you don't act like a wally to him or his staff. Recommended.
|
I haven't eaten here, but for beer and atmosphere I am impressed. The decor is slightly odd, but it's supposed to be. The staff have been quick to serve whenever I've been, and although one of them last night appeared not to understand everything I said, she was very smiley and apologetic. All in all, I don't agree with some of the messages below, and I will be visiting this place more frequently in the days to come.
As for the White Hart, i've never been in, but only because it looks for all the world as though it's basically a restaurant!
|
the food @ the doghouse has improved since a new chef has taken over the kitchen ..... yes the music is a bit tastless and naf as for anonymous is this some silly grudge ....?
|
good choice of beers & spirits, good music selection (very slightly unusual dance music mainly). Staff are a bit laid back, so are the punters, so is the decor :) . Great relaxed atmosphere, my favourite pub by far in the area.
|
Dont go there for food is the message that seems to be coming from previous messages.
Drink service is ok (as long as the bar staff understand what you want and can be bothered to serve you that is).
The White Hart across the road is a much better bet for food.
anonymous - 11 Jan 2006 08:35 |
a friend reports he went for dinner a couple of months ago with a group, one of them didnt receive a meal for an hour with no explanation, when he complained the manager's immediate response was "f*** off". The friend asked if the manager cared that his customers would not be coming back again, the response was no. so i think the moral of the story is don't go to the Dog House.
anonymous - 4 Jan 2006 17:22 |
Great relaxed pub with good range of beers, wines, not sure about the food... good for whiling away the hours and usually space available in the evening. Absolutely awful ladies toilets.
anonymous - 3 Jan 2006 21:39 |
Possibly the greatest pub ever.
Relaxed, friendly, great crowd, great tunes and staff. No idea why the manager got so much flak he seems to be one of the most charming people I have ever met. It rocks, but that is reflected in the prices. Food is pretty damn good in the week. BUT NOT ON SUNDAY.
|
Seems to have improved recently with staff much more responsive and bar manager friendly. However still had to wait 5+ minutes at the bar to be served on a quiet Monday night but still, mustnt grumble. This is overall an excellent pub on your way to the excellent Indian restaurants on Kennington Road
anonymous - 29 Nov 2005 14:09 |
I was the person pretending to be the manager. I wasn't. In fact I don't even work there.The manager is rather friendly, and a much nicer and more approachable person than me.
I apologise to "anonymous".
|
Nice pub and nice food and would have become a regular when moving to the area if the manager hadn't been incredibley rude to us twice in one night when closing the kitchen for half an hour halfway though our group ordering food (we'd queued for 25 minutes) and then when one of the staff didn't inform someone else of the minimum spend with card before taking payment and kept it behind the bar they wouldn't return it so he could withdraw cash to pay when he had to leave early.
If he'd apologised for anything it wouldn't have been so bad but he told us he didn't give a shit about our custom those being his exact words.
anonymous - 21 Sep 2005 11:01 |
Awesome awesome awesome little boozer, great decor, great huge tables for chatting with big groups, good msuic, lots of space, funky chilled atmopshere. Love it. Food maybe not AMAZINg but totally ok - the staff seemed nice as well.
|
I went here 2 weeks ago for the first time in ages with a couple of friends. Ordered fish/scampi and chips which were greasy to the point of vomit-inducing. I noticed then that no-one else in this fairly busy pub was eating. I complained (it takes a hell of a lot to get me to complain). The barman listened but no more, but admitted they even put sub-standard, vinegary ketchup inside the 'Heinz' bottles . This was revealing I thought. Will never eat there again. Shame as it's got a pleasantly bohemian decor and is a great place to hang out. The evening was saved by the random appearance of Jim Bowen, Su Pollard and a blond woman from Hollyoaks (my friend Katie told me).
|
Another local of mine. This pub used to be called the Roebuck and is next door to where Charlie Chaplin was brought up. It still retains a Victorian splendour, although somewhat altered, and is frequented by locals, students and bohemians. The ambience is friendly and laid back and there is good ale on tap i.e. very good Bombadier. Upstairs, there's a cosy room where alternating Tuesday nights of live jazz and salsa is played with enthusiastic relish. The standard is very good and you'll be snapping those fingers before the first sip.
|
This is my other local, but I'd go out of my way for a drink here nethertheless.
Great for watching the match, a quiet chat over some wine, or a raucous evening with friends. Good collection of ancient board games too. Westend prices, sadly, but very funky decor which looks like it has grown on its own.
|
I've been in here a few times - good pub for a few guiness and some dinner. I especially like the red hair barmaid!
|
This pub has the potential to be a really lovely Sunday afternoon pub, with lots of space, big windows and a fairly good choice of food and beverages...However, the comments by others on this site are not unjustified - the manager was very rude and overbearing and, when we made a polite comment about one of our group having to wait an hour for her food, his behaviour was highly inappropriate. In my opinion he can stay in his Dog House - and I, nor my friends, will be joining him there again.
anonymous - 17 Jan 2005 11:16 |
Nice pub with friendly, quick service. Decent enough food. And I actually quite liked the manager!
Dan - 4 Oct 2004 16:15 |
This is a great old Victorian bar with some great original features. The staff are generally helpful although service can be sometimes slow and to be honest, I prefer to go in there when the crazy Australian manager is not on shift- Although he can be amusing, my girl friend and I have been offended by him a few times. Food is mediocre but good crowd, friendly bar.
Frederik - 6 Sep 2004 21:03 |
Chain pub? actually owned by sussex millionaires. get your facts right!
Aonghus - 28 Jul 2004 17:56 |
Great bar with good atmosphere. This pub was in better management before christmas. However, a chain have moved in, providing the loudest manager you could ever imagine. Standards have dropped!!
lucy senton - 10 Jun 2004 08:52 |
great bar with some nice staff.Amazing food. Shame about the over-bearing manager
sandra - 2 Jun 2004 19:34 |
This pub certainly has a great atmosphere. Food is great and the staff are very attentive
paul - 20 May 2004 22:38 |
the pub is getting btrer
anonymous - 1 May 2004 20:33 |
Went there for the first time last night. Don't be put off by the shabby interior...it kinda of grows on you. Was very nice to relax in for a quite Friday evening. Frinedly people. Will be going back and try the food b'cos from the size of the nachos portions it seems my kind of place!
Seydi Naggirri - 20 Mar 2004 10:56 |
This bar is such a find! The managers and staff are professional. Great service. Fantastic wine list! Serving up great food- The best food I have ever seen in a pub and wicked sunday roasts!
Jane Hanson - 15 Mar 2004 11:35 |
Very friendly bar/pub in a great location in the middle of Kennington 'village'. Some might baulk at the shabby decor (dripped wax candles, torn posters and carpets on walls are de rigeur here) but it's a relaxing place, with plenty of tables on offer most nights.
There's normally a good range of chilled out beats on the stereo and the bar staff are very attentive. A great place for a quiet and relaxing pint or four!
Jim - 31 Jan 2004 19:18 |
