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Detail Pages
The Commercial, Herne Hill, SE24
SE24
SE24 0JT
Pub Type
Castle (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Commercial
Last time I visited The Commercial was in the late 80s when it was a traditional pub retaining the two room format. It has changed considerably over the passage of time, the island bar remains but it is blanked off on one side now with service just on the left side of what is now a knocked through pub. The right hand side has the feel of a dining area as does the rear portion of the elongated left side of the pub. There is some exposed brickwork and plenty of wood panelling which unfortunately has been overpainted in gastro greenish grey in areas while a section towards the rear has had some form of Japanese style mural painted onto it featuring some wildfowl. Wooden flooring, mixed seating, various large paper lampshades reminiscent of Habitat cast-offs, small posies of flowers on the tables and large white candles in glass jars on the window cills. Paper menus on the tables list the bar menu and the fixed price version, £10/13 for 2/3 courses.
Leaded windows, some with the trademark Charrington's banding, this leaded glass design repeated along a section of the bar back where a large gong is suspended, presumably for calling time/last orders. At the end of the bar a faux chalkboard lists the bottled beer menu. Four handpumps, Doom Bar, Peerless All American £4.10!), Titanic Cappuccino and the remaining one with the clip turned around. Considering the price of the Peerless brew, a bottle of Duvel or Chimay looks decent value at £4.45 for an 8%er.
There was a TV on the far end wall, switched off at the time while music played at a background level.
The pub certainly now has pretensions, possibly aiming for the gastro market although I didn't see anybody eating. I think I prefer the pub as I recall it, a regular local's pub which always used to seem busy and lively.
On 25th May 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1711 recommendations about 1684 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Commercial
This place was very busy on my recent week night visit, but I wasn't overly impressed and would only visit again if waiting for a train from the station across the road.
There was a selection of premium lagers along with Pride, Bombardier and Adnams German Kolsch and there was another ale but this was off. The barmaid was very friendly, but the clientele were of the ilk that knows not how to wait in turn or keep their conversations to themselves.
I spotted a plasma screen that was off and I saw no advertisements for Sky, which didn't surprise me as this doesn't seem the sort of place that sports fans would congregate. I did however spot a man in his fifties wearing ultra tight clothes and a burgundy beret, something I hope that I never see again.
This is the only pub I have been into in this area, but there must be better about.
On 15th November 2009
- rating: 4
[User has posted 6673 recommendations about 6635 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about The Commercial
Is it under new management? Certainly the commitment to a variety of decent real ale from other than boring mainstream offerings seems to have vanished, causing me to do the same without imbibing recently.
20 August 2008
'85-'89 were our years of almost permanent residence; darts & camaraderie being the main draw in those days. Long since changed shape and added a decent selection of changing beers, usually veering a little from mainstream but seldom, if ever, featuring micros. The beers are usually well kept so it was most disappointing to hear of a friend's experience with bad pints & even worse staff attitude to changing them - I thought the current mgr was enthusiastic about his ales, so I doubt he'd be happy to read about his staff arguing with (ahem) experienced drinkers about beer which was clearly 'wrong'. Sad to hear the damning verdict, let's hope it causes the Commercial to review standards & improve quality.
28 April 2007
The only place in Herne Hill (or Tulse Hill or West Norwood for that matter) for decent real ale. Four handpumps change on rotation and are well kept. The range isn't too radical but the mainstreams are supplemented with some decent alternatives such as Timothy Taylors, Brains SA etc, also Addlestones cider and some weissbiers. Used to drink in here late80s when I first moved south so I regret the loss of the lovely wood panelling and 50% of the old horseshoe bar but the place still retains some charm & is now busy in the evenings so the conversion is evidently a success, no doubt aided by its location directly outside HH train station. Food & wine menus pretty much the same as the Greyhound in Dulwich. Good pub.
On 20th August 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 413 recommendations about 412 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Commercial
Large pub opposite Herne Hill station. Food served all day. Real ale availble, but I can't remember which ones.
On 10th August 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 760 recommendations about 721 pubs]