The Oystercatcher, Greenwich, SE10

Yes, of the two new builds next door to each other I probably just about preferred this one, as it felt a bit more like a bar/pub than the one next door, a feeling probably cemented by the prominent aforementioned Battersea beer tanks above the bar. Well described by PSM below, so no need to add to that except to concur that the alfresco drinking areas are very good and afford excellent views of the River Thames, or at least they do when a Viking Cruise Ship is not moored in front of the pub (I’m guessing its not the same one that blighted Blue Scrumpys visit to the Sail Loft a week earlier). Five Points Pale and XPA were on the ale pumps and the Pale was in decent nick. I still wouldn’t walk past the more traditional pubs further up river to come here, but this and the one next door clearly serve a purpose in how busy they were on this particular fine weather afternoon.

This is a smart, modern pub with a shallow but wide, bare boarded interior and an excellent riverside location. You enter via a riverside patio space with plenty of al fresco seating options, including some underneath patio heaters that must be pretty good, as plenty of people were sat outside on a cold winter's day when. Inside, some nice, comfy, long padded benches have been formed into booths alongside the full height front windows, with high tables and stools on either side plus a few comfier seating options here and there. The bar is along the rear wall and has a smart counter and bar back dominated by two large Battersea Brewery beer tanks which are perched on the top. Stairs to the rear right lead up to a first floor dining room with great views over the river, and a balcony looking down through a plant filled cut-away, into the bar area below. The whole pub has been liberally decorated with river/nautical themed images and more paintings of oystercatchers than you could ever imagine existed. Five Points Green Hop was the only badged cask ale when we arrived, although another pump had a reversed clip, suggesting that something else had recently been taken off. The aforementioned Battersea beer tanks above the bar, promised some interesting beer too and there were a few non-standard craft keg options to round out a decent range. The barman was very friendly, but struggled to fill my pint glass with the Green Hop and I had to resign myself to either standing there all day or accepting a short measure. For all the fuss, it was a decent enough beer in pretty good condition. I didn't mind this place, which is obviously hoping to encourage people out here from the centre of Greenwich, lured by the smart furnishings and peerless views. It was a comfortable enough spot to enjoy a decent green hop beer and whilst it's not going to appeal to the traditionalist, it is at least a good example of a modern, upmarket pub and I'm glad I walked out here to give it a try. Date of visit - 10th December 2023

Almost next door to the Sail Loft on the Thames Path but so much better.It has a smaller modern interior and also an unvisited first floor but the scale of the outside area was also more pleasing with low backed seating booths ,under cover with great views. There is some craft keg but I was delighted to see two real ale in Five Points Pale and Railway Porter,the latter in great form NBSS 4 and worth £2.75 for a half. The food is quite dear but also priced lower than next door and this was a good pub experience in very modern surroundings. This is the Greenwich pub on the Thames Path that I would use again,a very worthwhile stop.

Official site of The Oystercatcher - oystercatchergreenwich.co.uk

Official site of The Oystercatcher - oystercatchergreenwich.co.uk