The Montague Arms, New Cross

I really like the Montague Arms, and I hope for the sake of both the staff and clientele that it retains its distinctive character and doesn't get bought out by one of the big pub chains like Wetherspoons. The barstaff are freindly, the decor interesting - lots of stuffed animals and what looks like items that have been recovered from a sunken navy vessel circa 1854 - the prices reasonable, and a good choice of beer and food.

If I have one minor criticism, it's that they could be a little more discriminating in terms of the live bands they hire. The only downer about spending last Friday evening there was having our conversation drowned out by a truly dreadful band - No One You Know, I think they wer called - whose vocalist (I hesitate to call him a singer) had a voice that sounded like the heat howl of a dying walrus. Apart from that, it's an excellent pub.

4 Sep 2008 08:06