BITE user comments - DangerousChris
Comments by DangerousChris
This Pub has recently been renamed The Pavilion by the Brewery and has received a full new interior refurbishment. The place is now a pleasant place to enjoy a pint when in Sydenham in pleasant surroundings. just by the station.
23 Jan 2013 11:43
A Brand New Landlord has taken over and the interior of the Pub has received a much needed and well overdue refurbishment. Hopefully the place will now be returned to the place it rightly deserves to be i.e the Pinnacle of the High Street. Cant wait to experience the upgrade as previously it was slipping well below standard and had lost most of its regular customers. This proves to be a breath of fresh air! Big ideas exist for live entertainment, games etc. Brand New Pool Table. Hope the place returns to and surpasses previous heights...
23 Jan 2013 11:35
CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED
Building acquired by Paddy Power Betting Chain.
8 Feb 2011 16:01
News update - This pub has now reverted to its original and historic name of The Joiners Arms, with the facade having undergone a revamp and a lick of fresh green paint, with a new pub sign.
The landlord is a very affable Irishman - James and heruns a tight ship. Good selection of beers available, both tap and bottled. I think he's got one or two real ales on draft too, for all you CAMRA types.
He's concentrating on building up the regulars by becoming known for showing all the top sporting fixtures on Sky; Football, Boxing etc. Notwithstanding this, it's not unusual to see some Irish events such as curling, horseracing etc thrown in for good measure. All in all, worth a punt. Not overpriced as pubs go, a traditional atmosphere - Affable enough locals and no funny business stood for.
I enjoy popping in for a few, after the chaos of visiting the market and shops.
Also, some very pleasant serving staff behind the bar.
Love the jukebox too. Can we have everything louder than everything else please?
Don't believe the stories of yore about this place being a hole. Its definitely on the up, under the strict goverance of a decent landlord.
A genuine working man's alehouse. Good to see places like this still exist.
29 Nov 2010 15:13
Dingy old single room Irish Bar with a certain 'je ne sais quoit' in that it is totally old school and shabby and isn't pretending to be anything else. Couple of Flat Screen TVs showing Footy/Racing and Irish Hurling etc. Very reasonable drinks prices. E.g - Does a pint of Carling Extra Cold for �2.50 and mine was spot on. Then noticed a special offer on WKD Irn Bru for �1 a bottle, so proceeded to empty their fridge supplies of it - Bargain!
Mainly old school clientele ie - middle aged to very old, a few cantakerous old gits thrown in for good measure who will drip about their hearing just as you've selected some quality Irish folk or rock on the jukebox and coaxed the bar lady into turning it up to the requisite level. All in all a place to have a few reasonably priced drinks in the Deptford High St area before moving on to the finale of your evening.
16 Sep 2010 14:55
Miserable pub inhabited by hapless local soaks and deadheads who wouldn't know a good time if it bit them on the ass, many with a chip on their shoulder. I've seen more charisma in a flat bottle of pop. I would not agree that it is friendly place to those outside the miserable clique that inhabits this glum tavern. Forget about the jukebox going up above a whisper, lest it offend the sensibilities of the emaciated landlady with her head so far up her own *rse that it's a wonder she can serve any drinks. Spends her time behind the bar looking for any slight observations of anyone willing to take the place out of its own dead zone. Slovenly barstaff who are more interested in hanging on punters' conversations than doing any major graft behind the bar. Great shame 'cos the building is solid, good looking and could be a great place. Not under this management though. Big sign behind the bar saying "Be nice or leave" I wasn't so I left and thankfully will never have to go back. Beer ok though. Make your own judgement.
9 Sep 2010 13:41
Closed, with the building being acquired by Paddy Power betting chain. Another piece of Deptford music heritage and folklore gone with the changing times. And the Sultans, oh yeah the Sultans played Creole. The Devil came and took me from bar to street to bookie.
24 Jun 2010 12:08
Closed since last autumn with Freehold up for sale at �700,000. Mansion flat conversion anyone? Another one bites the dust.......Drown your sorrows in the Harp of Erin (Good Sat PM karaoke) or John Evelyn (talented Elvis impersonator landlord) nearby instead. Or for real ales buffs the Dog and Bell is a short walk.
24 Jun 2010 12:03
Agree with Ellboy here, great potential in the place and Anthony is a fantastic performer with great talent. Be wary of the f***in' psycho element amongst some of the locals however, in that oh so casual broken glass and slashed face sort of way for 'looking at me funny'. Yeah - I'm quaking in my f***in' boots son, now troll off and go and finish your jail sentence and get some more groovy home made tattoos. Good digital jukebox in the establishment - 'Can we have everything louder than everything else please?'
16 Jun 2010 15:56
One to agree with rbreen05, popped in here for a few jars of the black stuff a couple of Saturday PMs ago. Excellent pint and convivial barman. Good conversation at the bar and he keeps a tight rein on the wandering itinerants who come in without the express intention of having a drink. I'll be back for more. Glad to see this place on the up. Warm up the jukebox and crank up the volume for my next visit.
8 Jun 2010 19:52
A large imposing premises, in the Sussex style, occupying a prominent position at the Polegate crossroads, having been a Harvester (Mitchells and Butler) for a good number of years (several decades). Its been subject to an internal makeover in the last 5 years, making the inside bright and well furnished.
Normal, perfectly acceptable Harvester fare on offer in large dining annex, with the Early Bird option getting you a third off during off peak periods in the restaurant. Bar food also available.
Bar area at the front of the premises serving a good selection of ales and lagers
cheaper than the other pubs locally. Pleasant if sometime inexperienced staff, mainly youngsters. Nice to pop in for a quiet drink with family and friends, but not exactly an earth shattering atmosphere. Very nice to sit outside on the beer tables by the village green during the summer months.
Locals know it cruelly as the Doom and Gloom. Couple of fruit machines in the bar.
Does a good pint of Stella. Good for a jar or two between the Thoroughbred and the Dinkum.
19 Mar 2010 13:06
A good locals and regulars pub in Gosport. The Guinness was in very good condition. No problems in getting the jukebox turned up full blast, despite England v Egypt being on the Flatscreen. Evidence of a recent quality makeover, bringing the place in line with modern pub standards. Good pool table to the rear of the room and patio area for smokers. Poker league meeting with poker tables was a rare sight. Attentive and friendly bar staff even when busy. All in all, worth a visit if in the area.
11 Mar 2010 14:46
Traditional standalone boozer on the edge of Deptford. Reedeeming qualities - Not a bad pint of Kronenbourg 1664. Cracking resident Karaoke gig on a Saturday night, courtesy of Dave the Rave and little Davey, with numbers coming thick and fast and a number of really good regular singers.
Bad points - Quite gloomy inside, despite some traditonal pub decor flourishes.
The Landlady can look and act grumpy and stressed at the best of times, especially when short staffed behind the bar. The Landlord is a bit more cheerful but can also look stressed to boot. The odd fight can break out in the back room, normally amongst the local female chavs.
Excellent kebab house on other side of Evelyn Rd to soak up the ten pints of lager. Recommended.
10 Mar 2010 15:39
Gastropub with a decent upmarket menu which delivers haute cuisine at an acceptable price level, given its location in an affluent village at the foot of the South Downs. Interesting George Orwell connection, as the place is mentioned in his novel Animal Farm. Recommend the Duck Confit at �8.50 and the Pickled Partridge real ale. The place was obviously off season so only a few couples and young families enjoying lunchtime food when visited but I can imagine the place doing a roaring trade later in the year, especially from ramblers etc. Definitely a place centred around delivering excellent cuisine, real ale and hospitality in a comfortable and quiet surrounding to the more discerning punter. Don't come her for a rowdy humdinger of a p*ss-up. PS, they have theme food evenings such as Russian which look quite interesting.
20 Jan 2010 20:01
A quirky but friendly freehouse which seems to suffer a bit from its location on the very outskirts of Polegate for passing trade. It used to be a transport cafe in days of yore seemingly, where bikers used to congregate prior to a burnout. A picture of a biker gathering stands on the main window ledge. Friendly landlady, barstaff and local bar flies which tend to hail from the local Stud Farm and Southfield estates etc. A very homely feel to the place. It has had a reasonable makeover in recent years making it more pleasant. A pleasing number of real ales on tap as well as Stella and Strongbow etc. Pleasing to see they have moved with the times and installed a well-stocked digital jukebox. Pleasant small garden area to the rear of the premises for smokers. A familar story though, built to accommodate more drinkers than it now attracts. All in all worth a visit for a quiet chat and drink if in the Polegate environs. These places are a dying breed. A good curry house a few doors away to boot.
20 Jan 2010 19:49
Easily the best proper boozer in Polegate. Its recently had a lick of paint inside and out which was overdue, although the place could do with a new carpet as the old one is shot. Its quite small inside with an island bar accommodating both lounge and saloon. New publican still finding his feet a bit. Could do with some more entertainment at the weekends. Excellent jukebox and speakers, which can normally be turned up to accomodate one's taste, upon polite request. Friendly enough bar flies inside. One real ale, Harveys, on offer although the lagers and cider are well kept. Darts and pool table in the annex. Recommended if you're in the area and a couple of minutes walk from the station. Local and regulars community pub which seems to be weathering the current economic climate - just.
11 Dec 2009 09:18
A welcoming traditional family run local and regulars pub, which it seems is a dying art in the area, with many soulless pub takeovers over recent years - featuring live Folk music on Tuesday evening, with free buffet. Live Jazz Wednesday nights with fantastic homecooked curry available. Jazz afternoons on Thursdays and Fridays with bargain priced wholesome pub grub on offer. Friday night - Jackie's disco from 9pm onwards. Last Saturday in month - brilliant Elvis impersonator. Sunday afternoons from 3pm - Sinatra swing singalong featuring MC Dave and the pub crooners, with amazing free buffet. A selection of real ales - Courage cask and Bombardier, with a good selection of lagers and cider. The recent new carpet has tidied the internal decor up. Good jukebox, pool table, darts, quiz machine, fruit machine and island bar. Smoking area outside. Recommended for those in search of something more traditional than can be found elsewhere in the locale.
11 Dec 2009 09:02
Good karaoke sesh on a Saturday afternoon from 3-6ish pm. Friendly enough local with a mix of white and afro-carribean punters. Pool table to the rear side of the L shaped lounge. Punters smoking in doorway often greet you, especially if weather is inclement. Colours a bit loud inside but its clean enough. Strange orange tiled bar. Friendly barmaid, quick to serve, landlady's daughter. Toilets clean with multi-coloured tiles and handsoap. Serves bottled Bulmers and canned Red Stripe plus a few things on tap, Stella, Fosters, Guinness etc. Pleasant to get change from a fiver for 2 drinks these days. All in all worth a punt on a Saturday PM after some shopping around the market and High St.
11 Dec 2009 08:24
Visited the White Swan last Saturday circa 7pm after a few sherberts in the Harp of Erin up the street, and a few songs on their Sat PM Karaoke. Its located top side of Deptford High St. A prominently located pool table greets you as you enter the establishment. A mix of locals in residence. It seems the place is now run by Vietnamese, with a small restaurant facility towards the back. Had a good time drinking Strongbow, missus shot some pool with the locals, and enjoyed a few shots of sambuca with some of the local wideboys. I was delighted when they started setting up for a second session for the day, for me, of karaoke, although I didn't give my second set of songs justice as the drink had kicked in by then. Various inebriated people spilling their drinks throughout the evening accompanied by much clapping and cheering. Landord and lady quickly on the scene with a bucket and mop, very efficient. Worth a punt if you're visiting Deptford. The place could do with a clean up but its friendly enough, once they get over the initial stranger vibe.
11 Dec 2009 02:48
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The Golden Lion, Sydenham
A Traditional large pub situated on Sydenham Road, Has the moniker of 'the Sydenham Blues Club and, as such, has plenty of live music, especially on a Friday and Saturday night. No prizes then for guessing the Music is very much blues, which attracts plenty of regulars. A pricey pub, but nontheless, a pleasant establishment to enjoy a drink and good conversation. It has some real ales to boot.
21 Apr 2013 14:35