Horns Tavern, West Norwood, SE27

What most would call a very traditional pub opposite West Norwood station on Knights Hill. Split as described in previous reviews, I sat in the saloon bar watching the snooker and evening racing during my 30 or so mins here from 6.30-7pm. The venue was pleasingly busy on both sides of the bar, with the pool table in the public bar perpetually in use. The windows of both bars offer a lovely view of the church on the other side of the main road, magically illuminated in the early evening sun. Given the above, you are not expecting me to say there was a huge craft range or interesting beers from South London breweries! Quaffs were dominated by lagers (Fosters, Amstel, Krony, Carling & Madri), with Guinness and a couple of ciders (Aspall & Inch’s). Remarkably, the two beers on hand pump were the same as expressed in previous reviews, namely Doom Bar and Bombardier. No big surprise for that duo, but amazing zero change in 8 years since last reviews! I enjoyed my short stay here. It felt authentic. The fact that my main fancy of the day won a maiden at Naas whilst enjoying my pint of Bombardier is almost incidental. Brilliant!

Given its prime position by the station and the very imposing St Luke's Church, this remains much more of a old-fashioned boozer than one might expect (to the extent that it retains completely separate public and saloon bars). Both rooms feature traditional (verging on dull) furniture and decor, with a pool table in the former and rather dominant sports TV screens in the latter. Also has a few tables out on the side alleyway. Thankfully, still does real ale, albeit just Doom Bar and Bombardier (£3.50) from the various handpumps on the two counters.

Official site of The Horns Tavern - www.thehornstavern.co.uk

It's been a few years since I've popped my head into this pub, and I have to say there's been some improvement. There are now a couple of real ales available - Bombardier and Doom Bar. Not the most exciting selection, but a lot better than the two unused handpumps that used to be case. There was no sign of food being available on my Saturday morning visit. This pub still has two completely separate rooms with their own doors to the street, as well as a now largely disused jug and bottle bar in between them that has effectively been subsumed into the Saloon Bar and seems to be used for the production of hot drinks and sandwiches. The Saloon Bar is a fairly small room, is carpeted, has a few normal tables and chairs and tall tables/tall stools, and has a door leading from it to a bit of outside seating above the railway line. The Public Bar is a bit plainer, and is the larger of the two rooms. There's very little in the way of furnishings in here, and has a pool table at the back. This pub has changed little since I first visited it over 50 years ago. I quite like it in a sort of nostalgic way, despite the limited ale selection. It remains a real locals' pub.

Official site of The Horns Tavern - www.thehornstavern.co.uk