The Beehive, SE11

Dating from the 19th century, the current incarnation is a classic example of 1930s’ brewers’ Tudor, not so the interior. The place is situated opposite the Durham Arms (RIP c. 2002) with its remaining Courage sign bracket, meaning that this pub’s immediate competition dried up over 20 years ago. The interior is now entirely modern and seemingly slat themed, with a new floor, stone tiled bar apron, highly modern central bar, new wood panelling to walls above which is a wasabi colour scheme to a white ceiling dotted with recessed spotlight downlighters; a further item of modernity is the shiny black tile cladding to a chimneybreast. Furniture unsurprisingly is modern, with slatted tables, then restaurant-style chairs upholstered with black vinyl. Aside from the seven TVs showing the football with the sound off so as not to compete with background muzak, this could be a plush restaurant; at the very least, it looks like a bar attached to a hotel. Customers were resolutely older locals and nothing like those – models? – shown on their website, few on my Friday evening visit. The ale front amounted to Doom and the increasing ingress of its sibling, Solar Wave. It was inevitable that I would have to give it a go at some point, so I bit the bullet and plumped for a half at a bruising £3.00; it was disgusting, tasting like someone had dissolved a dash of Fisherman’s Friend in it, with an almost mentholated taste. This is a poor pub, easily the least captivating of my five-hole Kennington crawl.

Sizeable pub with an island type bar. Mainly keg with two hand pumps - London Pride and Hobgoblin. Seating outside to rear which I used.

Official site of the Beehive, contains drinks list - www.thebeehivepub.co.uk

Official site of the Beehive, contains drinks list - www.thebeehivepub.co.uk

Randomness Guide to London - Beehive entry

Randomness Guide to London - Beehive entry