The Florence, Herne Hill, SE24

Second venue in this crawl around Herne / Tulse Hill this evening. This was a rather plush venue with nice seating options, stools with backs at the counter all along the external windows (overlooking the park in my positioning), high tables (you had the circular or oblong option) with more traditional bar stools, dining tables with traditional dining chairs, leather banquettes around the internal walls. In other words this was effing seating heaven and literally had something for all seating fans. And I don’t mean a random mish mash of tables and chairs this was beautifully co-ordinated. It was busy and became busier during my 6.30-7.15 stay here and the initially quite loud but tasteful music eventually got drowned out by the well heeled of this part of South London plotting world domination. Plenty of keg options but cask was TT Landlord and their own labelled bitter - the Florence Bitter, OK but nothing special at a tad under 4% abv. Assume this is some GK brewed swill but nothing to demark it on the clip. In reality I would have given it a 5.5 as I feel I would return to a 6 but I can’t see myself returning here but it is slightly better than a 5. I would be disappointed if I didn’t find a better one this evening.

Another much-refurbished pub, which in this case has gone for the posh dining room look with polished floors, dark woodwork and smart furnishings. There is a nice high ceiling but it is painted dark brown. I can't say I was over-impressed by having to wait for the barman to serve a pot of tea to the table in the corner, nor by the rather dodgy TT Landlord (the other cask option being the GK house ale). The surroundings are not unpleasant though.

Substantial pub overlooking Brockwell Park. Partially opened-out inside to leave an almost islanded bar, with additional seating / dining areas off to one side (one with a glazed enclosure housing the micro-brewery kit). Quite dark paintwork offset by generally light furniture. Three of four handpumps in each of the two banks in use, with Greene King IPA, LBF Beyond the Pale and the in-house Craft Academy Pale (£4.20).

Large open plan pub with a central bar area, It all seemed a little impersonal to me. The background music was of good quality,a mix of female soul singers with a little Bob Marley thrown in. Four pumps on the bar with three operational, a house beer Florence Brew, GK IPA and Sambrooks Pumphouse Pale, I took a keg option but paid for it at £3.00 a half of Gipsy Hill Hep Cat. It was ok here but could do better.

Official site of The Florence - www.florencehernehill.com

Official site of The Florence - www.florencehernehill.com