Scuzzy pub no more, but it's gone a bit pretentious
08 Jul 08, 08:29
As expected
This place used to be a right dive, but it's now had an East Dulwich makeover and has repositioned itself as a wannabe gastropub and a mum and baby hangout. The decor is really quite pleasant, but the sign outside is quite shirty and says something like: "The Mafia has 'omerta', football has FIFA....we all have rules, and there are rules to be obeyed." Yikes, I feel like I'm stepping back into the classroom when I go to this place. They are obviously trying to keep the former punters out because despite having hiked up the prices for food and scattered some cushions around the joint, the alcohol prices remain largely the same, therefore anyone who used to drink there will still keep on drinking there.
I've only eaten here once, but the food was mediocre and took AGES to arrive. Considering it was at lunchtime and I had to get back to work, this wasn't ideal.
Having said that, it's NOT all bad. There is a fantastically busy Baby Club on Fridays from 12 - 5pm (hurrah, they've cashed on the East Dulwich baby boom - clever people) and they've made a big effort to put on all sorts of entertainment. There is a pianist there a couple of nights a week, an open mic session, pub quiz, even a knitting club. I've not checked these out, so if anyone has been, do post up a review if they're any cop!
The outside area is pretty big, so in summer it's a great spot to loiter.
