Half Moon, Herne Hill, SE24

This is a large Victorian gin palace retaining several separate areas. A well known live music venue, I assume bands play in the rear function room to the rear of the bar but I may have missed a stair or two leading up or down. The main bar is opposite the front entrance, boarded floor, wood panelling and decent etched glass screens divide the areas. The snug bar to the immediate left of the bar end has some first rate back painted mirrors depicting swans and herons. Much of the Herne Hill area appears to be once served by Charrington's brewery, with the trademark green and amber banding on the windows, this pub also has banded windows but in different colours so not too sure. There is a decent looking carved bar back with fluted columns in what is clearly a reasonably well preserved pub, also more like a proper boozer than many of its neighbours with a more lively and down to earth clientele. No sign of food but it was late afternoon, the real beer choice was Sambrook's Wandle, Pride, Deucher's Ipa plus one unclipped. Not that exciting but my Wandle was in good nick. A solid and decent pub, less pretentious than others nearby.

This pub is on the CAMRA inventory of London heritage pubs, so inside expect to see all the usual original Victorian features – spectacular barback; carved woodwork; etched and cut glass etc. But if you do venture in here make the effort to poke your nose into the snug on the left to have a butcher's at some of the best surviving back painted mirrors. But the modern style bar gantry is a hideous modern addition, supporting two large speakers, to what is otherwise an extremely attractive pub. They had three real ales on when I was in there – Pride, Adnam's Bitter, and Wadworth's 6X. I opted for the Pride which was pretty good, but also pretty expensive for the area at £3.20 a pint. This pub is definitely worth seeking out if you're into antique pub architecture and decor, but otherwise I don't think that this pub has a lot to offer.

Very large pub, close to Herne Hill station, but with a busy road junction in between. Has live bands, an open mic night and live comedy acts. Has a snug area with large mirrors with swans painted on them.