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With charity it could be described as a no-frills, locals pub - in reality it's a run down dive. Although we have a lovely new manager(ess), Joe, who works very hard, it's obvious that everyone from the area manger upwards doesn't give a toss about the place as long as the money keeps rolling in. And why should they, you may ask, as long as dumb punters like me keep coming back. |
| There are two bars. The divide between the two is as much social as it is physical - in fact it's almost like two separate pubs, each with it's own set of customers. People tend drink in one bar or the other. There aren't many "cross-benchers". |
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At the rear of the pub is a paved area with tables generally called the "herb garden" - put it this way, a lot of people smoke out there. Children are welcome, but dogs are preferred. |
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When the pub was renovated (ie they hung sacks on the ceiling) and
convertred a few years ago to a "beer engine" it was explained to
the punters that there would be a vast array of ever changing beers -
a sort of real ale heaven. Sadly it didn't work like that.
Firstly, the previous manager fell out with the main wholesaler and stopped ordering beer from them. Secondly, because the pub has a large body of regular customers, there is no incentive for any one in the management chain to make more than the bare minimum effort. So we exist on a limited diet of the same beers - perm from one to six from the following list - Flowers Original, Flowers IPA, Wadworth 6X, Greene King Abbot, Fullers London Pride, Fuggles IPA and King and Barnes Sussex. Others crop up less frequently or on a one-off basis eg Tanglefoot, Bombardier, Old Speckled Hen. Boddingtons Mild is nearly always available direct from the cask. There is however is small light it the dakness in the shape (ahem!) of our new manageress. Joe at least seems interested in serving her customers and taking an interest in what they want. We can only hope for the best. |
Joe - sex goddess turned pub manager 
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You should avoid this pub if you are :-