The Bridge House Tavern, Penge

Badly run, overpriced attempt at a Dulwich gastropub.

Used to pop in for a beer during the afternoon when it first re-opened post refurbishment but the lack of atmosphere, price of beer and finally poor treatment at the hands of the badly trained staff put me off the place for good.

It's all suits and estate agents looking down their noses at a south London accent. I gave them a chance as the Staropramen is usually well kept - but i've recently been refused service in a power cut "because the till doesn't work" even though I was tendering the right money and wanted a bottle. Strange behaviour for a pub clearly struggling for business.

I recently was in with a group of mates from work and was told to shift out of our seats because they were "reserved" (the bar was half empty). There was no sign on the table when we sat down (not that the practise of reserving tables in pubs is in any way acceptable) and they let us get a big round in before telling us. Obviously we took our custom elsewhere and won't be returning. My feeling is that a group of 8 train drivers was a bit too working-class and a bit too multicultural for the stuck-up toffs in there to handle.

It's empty most times I walk past. Hopefully it will shut down soon.

13 Dec 2009 19:28