Hoopers, East Dulwich, SE5

Now closed. Evidenced by sign in window when we tried to visit 19/01/13

Back street corner pub, located in a quiet residential area near to East Dulwich train station. The wedge shaped pub has a very smart and tidy two room interior. The main bar is an unusual, almost V shape thanks to the position of the servery. One half of the room is carpeted, with bare floorboards elsewhere and the space is filled with a mix of sofas and low stools with tables. A TV screen near the entrance was showing live cricket coverage, whilst a larger screen at the far end had some pre season football on. I sat myself down next to an interesting display cabinet that was full of various bottles, beer mats and other such brewerania, mostly from breweries now no longer with us. There was also an upright piano in evidence. A passageway leads past the toilets to a small, carpeted second room with a short stretch of bar counter and a limited amount of seating. There were only two beers available on the 10 hand pumps; Fullers Summer Ale and Brains SA Gold (£3.40) plus Weston’s Scrumpy. Each table had a card detailing a decent bottled range at prices much more acceptable than in some of the 'craft' beer pubs around London. The landlord is a very friendly chap and he came over and had a chat about the pub and his ale policy. He told me that they normally have more ales on, but during the summer holidays, as my visit was, he reduces the range to just two as his regular customers tend to be away and it becomes harder to maintain quality without decent turnover, especially in warmer weather. He also told me about the regular beer festivals the pub holds (the next one in September 2011 will showcase GBBF and SIBA award winning beers) and the pub’s addition to a recently published guide to the best pubs in London. This is a really nice, welcoming place with a lot going for it thanks to the enthusiasm of the genial landlord. I would have probably given them an extra point if the beer choice was a little wider, although I think the reasons for limiting it to two seem valid. I'll certainly be making a return trip here soon.

Randomness Guide to London - Hoopers Bar entry

Randomness Guide to London - Hoopers Bar entry

Full marks for turning round what could be a forgotten back street local. Main bar opened out to give a spacious feel, with a surprising range of about 10 unusual ales, plus extensive UK & foreign bottled list. Only slight concern is whether the turnover supports that many ales - at an admittedly quiet time one was quite off and another dodgy, although changed without quibble. Would score higher if beers in top form.

Friendly traditional community pub near East Dulwich and Denmark Hill stations (map & public transport on web site). Adventurous real ale and continental beer policy. Quiz nite on Thursdays.Room available for meetings/parties.Well worth a try.