The Charles Dickens, Southwark

When it comes writing the history of the decline of the British pub I hope space will be found for a discussion of how publicans, breweries and pubcos have destroyed pubs by insensitive restoration and poor design.

The Charles Dickens is an example of this. It is potential a fine community local which is being strangled by what the owners think the punters (and which we rarely do).

It ticks almost all the boxes of what not to do. TV screens tick, loud music tick, faux gastropub layout tick, large open space for vertical drinking tick, lack of atmosphere and purpose tick.

The food was at best average. Staff were OK.

Still the beer was good (and reasonably priced for this part of London) with some interesting micro-brews.

There is potentially a good pub here, but...

11 May 2013 19:08

The Queens Head, Chislehurst

Large modern pub with rather bland interior. Large garden. I did not have high expectations, but they were confounded. The real ale (Adnams Broadside) was excellent and the food surprisingly good. They had three beers on and were doing their best to promote real ale.
I can't say if I lived in Chislehurst I'd become a regular but it does what it sets out to do reasonably well.

3 May 2013 20:08

The Albany Hotel, Roath

Excellent fake Victorian local with a range of real ale on. But I had the Brains Dark and it was excellent. Large smoking area in the rear.

27 Mar 2013 18:52