O'Neill's, Blackheath, SE3

This place started life probably around the early 19th century as the Three Tuns Hotel, the sign retained as a homage until 2017. I don’t know when the current incarnation arrived – 2008 or earlier – and self-described as a one of O’Neill’s ‘…original Irish pubs.’, ho-ho. I arrived around 9.15pm on a Saturday and a rather good tribute band was in full swing, playing The Monkees’ I’m a Believer, though rather loud and somewhat anachronistic given the pub’s address, a few customers dancing – or more accurately flailing about – enthusiastically. The interior is typical of the breed, completely modernised with no trace of the original pub extant. Customers were a very blokey and somewhat intimidating bunch and as I couldn’t see the bar – and I had no chance of getting to it – I decided to leave for the relative tranquillity of the Princess of Wales; to paraphrase Graham: this is the downmarket face of upmarket Blackheath.

Official site of O'Neill's - www.oneills.co.uk

Official site of O'Neill's - www.oneills.co.uk

The downmarket end of upmarket Blackheath, but still tidily kept and furnished. The large front room has a bar down one side and tables to the other, with lots of wood and bare brick evident. At the back there is a surprising amount of further space, divided up into separate areas. Sports TVs are sprinkled throughout. The bar boasts a long row of fairly average keg taps, with a sole Doom Bar handpump. Sadly the latter was completely undrinkable and it took some effort to get it replaced, and without a word of apology.