| Author |
Message |
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 13 September, 2005 - 09:51 pm: | |
according to tonight's Evening Standard, Forest Hill's very own Capitol is a new addition to the Good Pub Guide. |
Mandy_playbox
Joined 25-11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, 14 September, 2005 - 10:16 am: | |
Even though the family area stinks of pee?! |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 14 September, 2005 - 12:30 pm: | |
I know it has it faults but it is fairly well managed
I am not sure of the smell.
Beers usually best in SE 23.
In many ways its problem in trying to cater for so many different types.
I think it will improve when the No Smoking rule enforced .
There are a number of unshaven people whom seem to there most of the opening hours and smoke a lot. |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Friday, 16 September, 2005 - 12:08 pm: | |
Not in my good beer guide. Cheap but not good. See a hopefully more interesting thread on the Hob. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 16 September, 2005 - 02:19 pm: | |
As a real beer drinker of too many years I would say it is the best real ale on average in SE 23.
Dulwich Woodhouse excellent but SE 26.
BAGGYDAVE
I would be interested to know what other pubs in SE 23 to good and changing guest beers. |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Friday, 16 September, 2005 - 02:55 pm: | |
Brian - please see earlier threads on the site, including the one on SE23 pub crawl. Wotherspoons are cheap but the atmosphere does nothing for me. The days of the traditional boozer may be numbered, particularly as the pub chains take over, but to me Wotherspoons is with clever marketing bulldozing the market in a McDonalds style. Plenty of others agree, again back to earlier threads. But your choice and plenty of the people I hang around with like the place.
As regards to decent pubs with decent real ale, start with my local the Moor PArk Tavern. Opening hours not impressive, but a large frontage where three of us enjoyed Ian's home brewed stout (and that was very cheap). Further to this the Blythe Hill Tavern (great atmosphere, and yes it is in SE23) and Railway Telegraph.
Woodhouse - lovely looking pub, but I have never liked the management (the last two turned up at the Morpeth close to Vauxhall Bridge). Their attitude to kids sucks - happy to make most of their money in the summer from families but signs all round saying how unwelcome kids are inside.
Gosh this is turning out to be an interesting discussion. Hope I provoke a reaction! |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 16 September, 2005 - 04:27 pm: | |
Hi Baggydave
Moore Park T. I thought that had closed years ago ( or am i confused id that the one on the junction at woodvale ? )
Blythe H T , may be in SE 23 but too far for me
Torygraph used to go there back in late 70's and early 80's when the sheps was great. Must admit I have not been for may years.
I agree yr comments re the last two managers of the woodhouse . We called her Madeline ( mutton dresssed as lamb )
I would honestly say vast improvement beer and food great |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Friday, 16 September, 2005 - 05:13 pm: | |
The Brian and BaggyDave beer love-in
Telegraph improved vastly under the last managers. They changed a few months without notice - the only thing I've noticed to date was no more pay to view football - maybe a blessing in some peoples eyes but even the footy watching clientelle were no trouble.
MPT (or hotel to be precise) may look like it was converted into flats 6 years ago after being a dive and closing its doors to punters years before this. But not in my eyes (it is my local), but we got some strange looks when we stood outside drinking our home made stout.
Share your thoughts on the former land lady of Woodhouse, used to amuse me when they were five deep at the bar and she'd be sitting on a stool chatting to punters. You'll have to join me at the Morpeth sometime and we will have to chat with her about the good old times (they complain about the punters at the Woodhouse). Mnid you hubby is another baggy boy so can't be too critical.
Last food I had there was awful. It wasn't the usual Brake Bothers stuff shipped in but it was pointless. I told the waitress thinking I was giving feedback but she looked back blankly. Hopefully it has improved since. |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Friday, 16 September, 2005 - 05:47 pm: | |
The Brian and BaggyDave beer love-in
Telegraph improved vastly under the last managers. They changed a few months without notice - the only thing I've noticed to date was no more pay to view football - maybe a blessing in some peoples eyes but even the footy watching clientelle were no trouble.
MPT (or hotel to be precise) may look like it was converted into flats 6 years ago after being a dive and closing its doors to punters years before this. But not in my eyes (it is my local), but we got some strange looks when we stood outside drinking our home made stout.
Share your thoughts on the former land lady of Woodhouse, used to amuse me when they were five deep at the bar and she'd be sitting on a stool chatting to punters. You'll have to join me at the Morpeth sometime and we will have to chat with her about the good old times (they complain about the punters at the Woodhouse). Mnid you hubby is another baggy boy so can't be too critical.
Last food I had there was awful. It wasn't the usual Brake Bothers stuff shipped in but it was pointless. I told the waitress thinking I was giving feedback but she looked back blankly. Hopefully it has improved since. |
Roz
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 16 September, 2005 - 09:28 pm: | |
would some one please explain to me the concept of ' baggy' as I am clearly missing something here.... |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, 17 September, 2005 - 04:18 pm: | |
Hi Roz
I would imagine good chance our friend is from the Black Country ( ever heard of the baggies ) although I could be completely wrong |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, 17 September, 2005 - 05:43 pm: | |
Mrs Marcos was worried that it may be something to do with my physique but Brian is probably correct. Surprised that it has taken so long for someone to ask. Happpy to expalain further Roz if you are interested - we could meet at the Moor Park Tavern if you have any money left after filling up with petrol last week (I wont let that one lie...) |
Neo
Joined 09-04-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, 17 September, 2005 - 08:14 pm: | |
I can't believe that the Capitol is in the good pub guide. When it opened it was clean and the food was very good and good value for money. Over the years it has become dirty (both inside and out) and everything has deteriorated. The staff may be good but they appear to be powerless to get the place cleaned or maintained. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, 18 September, 2005 - 11:36 am: | |
Neo
If you think the CAPITOL is bad then try the Moon and Stars in Penge.
The Capitol is ten time better |
Otterboy
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 17 October, 2005 - 01:38 pm: | |
Only just seen this thread.
The Capitol is pretty much everything a pub shouldn't be. The only good thing about it is that it is cheap.
It exists only for barely funtioning alcoholics and underage drinkers. |
Elizabeth25
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 17 October, 2005 - 02:25 pm: | |
I'm going out on a limb here, but... The Capitol is not THAT bad. It's not anyone's idea of a perfect pub, but it's not the worst pub in the world. Trust me, I've been to worse. But it does serve half-way decent wine, that isn't £20 bottle, and recently started selling Brooklyn Lager.
I like the Dartmouth Arms as well. But they are two different types of places. The Capitol sells disgusting burgers and the Dartmouth sells Ox Tripe Gratin. |
Otterboy
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 17 October, 2005 - 03:42 pm: | |
I think I'm probably more annoyed by the fact that it used to be a lovely art deco cinema.
The Blythe Hill Tavern is the best pub in SE23. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 18 October, 2005 - 01:10 pm: | |
Now come on Otteryoungman.
I think you are being a trifle snobbish here.
The Capitol has its faults and some of the customers look like they have come straight from their beds but on the whole they do a good job.
The best pub food within walking distance is the
Woodhouse but on average 100% more expensive than the Capitol. I can at the moment afford the Wooden House but might come a time that I welcome the cheaper alternative |
Christian
Joined 13-10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 18 October, 2005 - 01:40 pm: | |
thanks to Otterboy for the pub guide ! By coincidence BaggyDave and I are going out for a half of shandy this thursday (after he blew me out last week!) and we were seeking Public House inspiration. |
Otterboy
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 18 October, 2005 - 02:57 pm: | |
I don't think I'm being snobbish at all. I respect Wetherspoons for their prices, but I just think that the chain pubs in general are a blot on the drinking landscape. Especially chains such as Sam Smiths that take over lovely old pubs and sell beer that gives you a headached halfway through your third pint. The Capitol annoys me because it somehow comes across as a desperate attempt to crowbar something tacky into a great building. It just doesn't fit. But I suppose that's the fault of all the people who didn't use the cinema when it was still going.
Will probably be in the Blythe Hill on Thursday too, Christian |
Otterboy
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 18 October, 2005 - 02:57 pm: | |
I don't think I'm being snobbish at all. I respect Wetherspoons for their prices, but I just think that the chain pubs in general are a blot on the drinking landscape. Especially chains such as Sam Smiths that take over lovely old pubs and sell beer that gives you a headache halfway through your third pint. The Capitol annoys me because it somehow comes across as a desperate attempt to crowbar something tacky into a great building. It just doesn't fit. But I suppose that's the fault of all the people who didn't use the cinema when it was still going.
Will probably be in the Blythe Hill on Thursday too, Christian |
Otterboy
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 18 October, 2005 - 02:58 pm: | |
So relevant, I posted it twice.
Apologies. |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, 19 October, 2005 - 11:59 am: | |
Help I'm being stalked!
Princess Louise, Holbourn. Most amazing gents toilets. The Cardinal Victoria. Tremendous Victorian interior. Both Sam Smiths pubs, and dreadful beer. Beer orders 1989 set out to destroy the power of the then 6 big brewers. Enter the worse spectre of the pub chains making all pubs the same, and the large regional brewers buying up and closing down their rivals. Ahh the free market what a wonder.
From memory Lewisham held out a long time before granting permission for the Capitol to be turned into a pub. They wanted it to be an arts centre or similar amenity. Wonderful interior and here's us lacking in a cinema in the whole of the borough. See earlier cinema thread for more rantings from like minded citizens.
Beer/pub snob, I'm proud to be one.
See you at the Pickle fest (stalkers welcome!) |
Otterboy
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 19 October, 2005 - 12:33 pm: | |
The Cardinal in Victoria is indeed a lovely building, but I think the best/worst example of S*m Sm*th is the Cittie of Yorke in Holborn. At least they don't completely destroy the original architecture (which you can also say of the Capitol) but the beer is too horrible to warrant going there.
Interesting stuff about the Capitol there. To be fair, an Arts Centre sounds great, but probably would have ended up going the same way as the cinema. |
Cllrdavidwhiting
Joined 07-12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, 19 October, 2005 - 01:05 pm: | |
BD
The delays were to do with the landlords difficulty in finding a willing tenant for this listed building, and when the issue of a public house came up, considerable licensing issues which had to be resolved with the police - the first group to make an offer could not overcome these problems. To their credit, Weatherspoons did manage to do it.
I'm not aware of any Lewisham move to have it as an arts centre. It would probably be nice if it were an arts centre, but in planning, you need an applicant, with the resources to carry things through. You therefore have to work with the willing, or see a building remain vacant and derelict.
As Marshal Foch said: 'We must make war, not as we would, but as we can'.
Elsewhere, we have attempted to prevent change of use from cinema, but I fear we have just lost the appeal on the Catford site. |
Otterboy
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 19 October, 2005 - 03:19 pm: | |
It's a shame they couldn't have done something similar to the Brixton Ritzy at the Capitol. Giving something different to the Multiplexes and making going to the cinema a good night out. |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, 20 October, 2005 - 12:33 pm: | |
Webmaster - any chance of grouping threads. We are covering old ground here, as you all know I could bore for Britain on the subject of cinemas and pubs, but if you scroll down you will see a separate thread on cinemas from a few months ago.
Could have entertainments as one category, shopping another, transport another and crime and disorder. These seem to be some of the main subjects we like to whinge about. Of course I should have my own soap box and you could introduce some rotten fruit for other residents to throw at me.
Oh and I preferred the old flea bag Ritzy (pre 93) where you could see black and white subtitled films about sheep farming in Barnet. |
Elizabeth25
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 20 October, 2005 - 03:04 pm: | |
You could also include a separate topic on Sainsbury's, as well. |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Friday, 21 October, 2005 - 05:05 pm: | |
Blythe Hill Tavern on a Thursday night was an excellent craic (spelling?)with a large oirish music session. Did not see any of my stalkers though. Hope you enjoyed it Otterboy and would recommend it to others (including those who use the Capitol to demonstrate what atmosphere is). The Capitol vs Blythe Hill Tavern, like comparing Russ Abott's single with the track of the same name by Joy Division. Now I am being obscure. |
Otterboy
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 21 October, 2005 - 05:09 pm: | |
Sorry, BD, I failed to make it as I was suffering from the effects of four boozy nights out in a row. It's usually quite easy to spot my crowd when we're in there as we're generally the only people still in their twenties (towards the end of them, I admit). |
