The Royal Standard, Blackheath, SE3

This is a mid-19th century pub, just north of the Lewisham border meaning that it’s in Greenwich. The interior is fairly large with a few slightly raised areas and section to the rear which seems geared for parties or live music, ‘Kirsty’s Poptastic Piano Singalong’ still available should Rex fancy a revisit; also available is a quiz called the Vicar’s Knickers. Otherwise, there’s a pale blue field panelled theme with white ceiling, modern flooring, mixed furniture with slightly industrial lighting, all to a Techno soundtrack. The ale scene offered up two unused pumps, Tribute (reversed), Landlord (reversed) and Proper Job, £2.85 a half and fine, served by a very matey barman. This place is average really, no more; I marginally preferred it to the neighbouring British Oak, but in SE3, the Hare & Billet is the one to beat.

Like the previous reviewer I wasn't overly taken with this pub. There's nothing intrisically wrong with it, but I didn't feel that it sufficient pub character to draw me back. They still have the pump clips displayed on one of the ceiling beams; the stage is still there at the back (I spotted an advert for "Kirsty's Poptastic Piano!), and a lot of the seating nearest to the stage was semi-circular upholstered bench seating. There may be a little less gastro grey than there was, but I have to say that I doubt whether the muddy coloured purple/brown painted ceiling is an improvement. The pub looks good from the outside, being a landmark building right on a busy road junction. They had three or four ales on, but for some reason I only noted the one I had - Bedlam Turtle Recall at around £4.65 a pint as I recall. There were food menus around on Wednesday afternoon, with the pub grub classics of bangers & mash (£12) and cod & chips (£13.50) both available. The Turtle Recall was OK, but not enough to tempt me to a revisit I'm afraid.

Official site of The Royal Standard - www.royalstandardblackheath.co.uk

Official site of The Royal Standard - www.royalstandardblackheath.co.uk

Just a short walk from the Western corner of Blackheath Common, the Royal Standard is a large, gentrified pub with an open plan interior. The room is split into two distinct sections either side of the centrally positioned servery. The left hand side is the larger of the two, presenting a vast open space furnished with high padded benches under the front windows, a curved banquette to the left and pews along the rear wall whilst padded chairs and small round tables fill the centre of the room. The room has exposed floorboards and all of the walls and furniture seem to be drawn exclusively from the ‘grey’ section of the colour spectrum. Some modern light fittings, a bare brick rear wall and a large collection of brewery mirrors, enamel adverts and other old promotional material livens the room up a bit and gives it more character than initial impressions suggest. There is also a pump clip collection running along the ceiling beams in the general direction of the U-shaped servery in the centre of the pub, which has a dark wood counter and bare brick bar back. On the other side of the bar, the right hand portion of the pub is partly given over to diners, predominantly in the partly partitioned front section which has been fitted out with standard tables and chairs. Further back there are some comfier banquettes and the walls continue the theme of the rest of the pub, by displaying old advertisements. There is a small roadside patio next to the left hand entrance and each table in the pub has an old gin bottle on it with a single fresh flower in it, which seemed like a nice enough gesture and a sign that a bit of thought goes into how the place looks. Food is available from a rather fancy sounding menu and most mains cost around a tenner. There were three ales on the go when I arrived – Sharps Doom Bar, Fullers London Pride and Inveralmond Frisco Steamy (£4.25). I’d never heard of the latter so decided to risk a pint. A friendly enough barmaid sold me a woefully short measure, eventually topped up, but I can’t say I thought much of it – I think the beer was the problem, but it didn’t strike me as being in tip-top shape either. I though this was quite a smartly presented pub that had perhaps given up some of its character and charm in order to make it appeal to a broader range of customers. I feel I probably got a bit unlucky with my pint, but the range of options wasn’t one that would have me racing back to double check. If you find yourself out this way, I’d say it’s worth giving a try but I found better options closer to Blackheath station.