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