Casa Mofongo Bar, SE5

This is a late 19th century pub which for around the first 10 years of its life was the Enterprise before becoming the Dover Castle; it closed in 2004, reopening in 2015 as the Junction, the current name being Puerto Rican. The exterior is a bit scruffy and ugly, so fits in well with its slightly bleak surroundings. The interior can be seen on Google, but essentially it’s modern and a riot of gaudy colours, with a ‘desert island’ feel, presumably to evoke a Caribbean vibe. There’s a basic fizz range and customers were few for a Wednesday at 8.35pm, but were all of Afro-Caribbean heritage, some sitting in the makeshift cabinas out front. As there was nothing to hold my interest, I left.

Facebook page of Casa Mofongo Bar - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Casa Mofongo Bar - www.facebook.com

There was just the one real ale on in here – Brixton Brewery Effra Ale (£4.50 a pint), and with a second pump having a St Austell Tribute clip reversed. There was no sign of food when I came in at around 5.45 PM, but before I finished my pint the barman put menus on the tables, presumably for evening diners. Examples from the menu are cod & chips (£10) and burger & fries (£8.50). This a strange mismatch of a place much in the Antic style, but nonetheless with some charm and character. The largest room is on the right, and is where the handpumps are sited, and where whatever had been on the wall above the dado had been removed to reveal some knocked about and pitted plasterwork. At the back is a stage, with musical instruments on it, as this is clearly a music pub. I guess the image of a saxophone instead of a ‘J’ in the pub’s name on the external signage is a clue. There’s all kinds of odd décor – some prints featuring some pencils(!) and fruit, and the Jamaican flag with a roaring lion’s head at its centre. Furnishings in this room are all normal tables and chairs, but of course it doesn’t all match. There was also a pile of boardgames for customers’ use, as well as a wicker basket on the windowsill with newspapers in it. Through a doorway on the left is a smaller room that might be regarded as a lounge as it contains sofas and armchairs – plus a drum doing duty as a low table. At the front is a covered area, providing a fair bit of outside seating – with no sides so good for smokers. I quite liked the pub. The barman was friendly and helpful, asking if I had had Effra Ale before (I had) with a view to offering me a taster. The ale selection is anything but exensive, but at least the single ale they had on was from a local microbrewery. It’s not a destination pub, unless there’s a particular gig you want to see, but I very much enjoyed my early doors excellent pint of Effra Ale.