Green Goddess, SE3

This is an impressive craft beer bar set in a former branch of Barclays Bank, as evidenced by the "Bank" sign above the entrance porch. You enter into a bare boarded room with the servery immediately to the left and a spacious seating area beyond. The bar has a tongue and groove panelled counter front and heavy timber bar back with a white tile section for all the keg taps, and floral pattern lampshades above the counter. A TV screen on the front wall lists the draught range in full, in case you can't read the names scrawled on the white tiles. Table and chair seating runs down the right-hand wall and fills the rear space beyond the bar, with each table given an old gin bottle filled with dried plants. The walls are a mix of timber clad and plain painted, and have been decorated with photos from local artists, many of which are for sale. Well stocked bookcases stand to the rear, next to some smart etched glass, saloon style swing doors, with more books on top of an upright piano to the rear right. A few more seats are available in a narrow strip down the side of the pub, from where the toilets can be reached. A great 80s soundtrack was playing in the background throughout my stay, as the pub started to wind down for the night. The bar supports two handpulls, which were dispensing Elusive Stories and Bend, the former being a well-kept pint served to me by a friendly barmaid. The pub's strongest suit is its craft keg range, with no less than twenty lines in operation including several cider options, with a board on the bar promoting still ciders from boxes and fridges full of further bottled and canned options. There are plans for an onsite brewery, but this hasn't been realised yet, despite external signage proclaiming a microbrewery. I really liked this place, which describes itself as a beer cafe, but feels like a smart, contemporary craft beer bar to me, with enough traditional elements to appeal to a wide range of customers. The beer is plentiful and the cask ale was in great shape, which is all you can ask for from a beer-led venture like this - I'll definitely call back when next passing through the area. Date of visit - 22nd October 2024

Facebook page of Green Goddess - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Green Goddess - www.facebook.com

Official site of Green Goddess - www.thegreengoddess.pub

Official site of Green Goddess - www.thegreengoddess.pub