Hollydale Tavern, SE15

This pub has the classic appearance of a Victorian pub dominating the residential street in which it sits, which is exactly what the architects and builders intended. As you enter the pub through what I guess would be regarded as the main entrance in Hollydale Avenue, the bar counter is straight in front of you, with a small area up a step on the left containing a pool table and dartboard. There is a TV screen on the wall in the main bar area, showing Sky sports, but thankfully muted in order not to compete with Magic Radio being played over the speakers. There’s a smaller, carpeted and a bit more comfortable, bar through an archway at the back on the right. Seating is mainly green plastic upholstered banquettes, small red velvet effect upholstered stools, along with round metal framed tables and a few stools at the bar. On the wall outside there were a number of humorous drinking related sayings displayed – my favourite is the Dean Martin classic “you’re not drunk if you can lie down without holding on”. Shame they had the apostrophe in the wrong place. There were a brace of handpumps in each of the two bars, but sadly none were in use. There were a handful of regulars in, sitting round the bar in the smaller of the two rooms, during my Wednesday lunchtime visit. It doesn’t look like the sort of place that would get very crowded, tucked away as it is off the main road. I quite liked it as a pub, but the absence of a real ale is a massive disincentive to me, and I don’t expect to return.