Rose of Denmark, Charlton, SE7

Official site of Rose Of Denmark - roseofdenmarkpub.co.uk

Official site of Rose Of Denmark - roseofdenmarkpub.co.uk

Like most pubs in Charlton, the Rose of Denmark isn’t a particularly inspiring place but it is one of the better pubs in the area (even though I have a particular grudge against the place from a few years back!). It has had a bit of a makeover in recent years with a new continental style frontage but the inside remains pretty much as it has been for years, just a bit neater and tidier. The Charlton Athletic theme is obvious with various photos, signed shirts, club pennants and a largely red and white colour scheme although that was probably more a lucky coincidence than deliberate planning. At the rear is a season by season montage of away fan photos taken in the pub which presumably means that fans of opposing teams are welcome. There isn’t a great deal of seating, mainly a couple of bays either side of the central bar and stools at the bar itself although there is a walled beer garden to one side with additional benches. A brace of TV’s are naturally geared to sport,. There are just the 2 ales, London Pride and Courage Best, both £2.70 on my latest visit but rising to £3 on match day, a practice that is becoming all too familiar and one that I find increasingly hard to swallow although to be fair, £3 a pint isn’t unrealistic these days and I prefer to think that there is a 30p discount on non-match days. The pub and the area in general aren’t going to be high on anyones must do list and most people here are either local or here for the football. As such, it meets all the appropriate requirements.

Popped into this pub prior to my team's first game of the season against Charlton at the nearby Valley. It's a typical football pub experience, with fans from both sets of clubs packing out the bar area whilst an shattered looking team of bar staff struggle to get through the rush period. A few bits of Charlton memorabilia can be seen throughout the pub, just to remind those arriving on a non match day of the pub's main purpose and lifeblood. There were at least three TV screens on showing the day's early kick-off, whilst those who fancied a bit of fresh air could make use of the paved area outside the front of the building, which housed a few typical benches as well. Unusually, the whole front of the pub could be opened up, making the traditional door redundant and providing a some much needed light and air in what would otherwise have been a hot and gloomy interior. Bar staff were working very hard although they weren't necessarily keeping track of who was next to be served, which meant that some people waited a very long time. London Pride was £3.00 a pint but went off at around 2:15pm. Courage Best was the other ale option and both pints tasted as good as can be expected when served in a plastic glass. A decent enough place and should we have the good fortune to still be in the same division as Charlton next season, I'd probably make a return visit.

I was initially drawn into this pub by the offer of a toasted sandwich, but unfortunately the apologetic barman had to inform me that the bread had run out. It was a shame, but the nicely poured Guinness that I ordered filled the gap in no time! Courage Best and Pride were the limited ale options, but there were plenty of standard draught products to choose from. It was very busy in here with locals for a weekday afternoon which wasn't really that surprising as I found this to be a friendly pub with three plasma screens for the Sky Sports. There are some picnic tables outside the front of the pub next to the main road, but there is some nicer seating to the side of the pub which includes some under a large umbrella for wetter days. This place has a good atmosphere and is my favourite at the moment from the limited amount of pubs I have visited in this area.