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The Palmerston, East Dulwich, SE22

91 Lordship Lane
SE22
SE22 8EP
Phone: 02086931629

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Pub SignMan left this review about The Palmerston

This is quite a small, pleasant two room pub towards the top end of Lordship Lane. The front room has dark wood floorboards and near full height dark wall panels, which gives it a nice traditional feel, further enhanced by the long leather banquettes along the front and right-hand walls and standard tables and chairs through the centre of the room. The current climate of social distancing meant that the banquette had been subdivided somewhat by a series of dramatically large Perspex screens, which created a series of almost comical looking ‘booths’ which weirdly seemed to help make the place feel a bit cosier than it might otherwise have. This homely feel was also helped by the muted lighting throughout, with candles lit on each table and a chilled soundtrack playing in the background. The bar runs down the left-hand wall and has an unusual blue glazed tile counter front and an excellent traditional bar back incorporating mirrors, a decorative frieze and a central clock. Two arches to the rear lead through to the rear lounge which is arguably even nicer than the front room thanks to its beautiful mosaic tile floor and fine rear fireplace partially hidden by a mini-jungle of potted plants. More standard tables and chairs can be found back here, surrounded by some fine wood panelling topped with decorative patterned wallpaper and lined with more potted plants. Plenty of people had opted to sit outside on the benches that run along the front and right side of the building, although much of this seating fronts a pretty busy road and didn’t seem particularly appealing to me.
The handpulls were a bit of a sad sight on arrival, sporting several turned clips from breweries such as Sambrooks and Harveys, but thankfully the did still have Taylors Landlord available, so I ordered a pint only to be told that it was going to set me back £5.60, which is a ridiculous price for a cask ale a day before we enter into a national lockdown – even by Dulwich standards. Thankfully it was in good nick and made up for a couple of disappointing pints elsewhere earlier in the evening. The staff all seemed very nice, especially a jovial fellow who I took to be the landlord, who popped over to most tables to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves.
I think this pub has a lot of redeeming features that make it well worth a visit, not least the cosy ambiance and two nicely presented rooms with their attractive traditional features. What puts me off from returning is the incredibly expensive ale, which might’ve been tolerable were I paying for a premium product rather than a nationally available 4.3% beer. If you can look past the pricing, this is a nice place for a little session, but otherwise, a quick half and a good nose around the place might have to suffice.

On 26th November 2020 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3102 recommendations about 3102 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about The Palmerston

This is really a pub of two halves. The main bar area as you enter is still a pub of sorts. It retains its probably Victorian (but possibly Edwardian) bar back although the blue-tiled counter front is new. Furnishings consist of some upholstered bench seating, tall tables/tall stools with some normal tables and chairs as well. Standard pub issue these days of course. Past some panelled screening at the back takes you into the dining area, with all tables laid for diners of course. The most striking feature in this room is the mosaic flooring, but the bar counter looks original although it looks to have been shortened at some stage. The bar back has a cornice that looks to be brass featuring images of gryphons. Below the cornice is some post-war Watney's signage, with the original longer name of the pub - i.e. Lord Palmerston - which would have been illuminated. I saw a sign to a dining room upstairs, but didn't investigate.

There were a couple of ales on - Timothy Taylor Landlord, and Harvey's Best (£4.50 a pint). I didn't examine a menu, although food is clearly a major player here. It's good that several heritage features of this pub have survived. It's still a decent enough pub, although it's as much a restaurant these days.

On 1st March 2020 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Moby Duck left this review about The Palmerston

A corner Gastro pub, as you would expect most of the the tables inside were set for eating,although there is a little pubbiness retained. A street market in the adjacent side street added a little ambiance to the proceedings. The ale selection was a little pedestrian,Doom Bar, Landlord, and Harvey's Best along with Orchard Pig Explorer for the apple minded amongst us, the Harveys was in good form, there was a small but reasonable craft selection.
Worth a look if passing, which you would likely do if on a crawl of the area.

On 9th April 2017 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1868 recommendations about 1841 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


john gray left this review about The Palmerston

Nice gastro-pub with the usual brown furniture. Lots of tables set for dining. Two cask beers on Wainwrights and Landlord but they did have the rarely seen Cotswold-wheat beer on keg which was good.Nice relaxing feel.

On 11th September 2014 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Alan Winfield left this review about The Palmerston

The Palmerston is a corner pub that is situated on the busy lordship lane.
Once inside there was an L shaped room which ran to the rear of the pub,the floor was bare boarded and the bar was to the left,there was a leather bench seat to the front left,plus one long bench seat running down the right side,there was a small area off the main room to the rear right.
There were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Orkney Northern Light which was a very nice drink,the other beers were,Skinners Betts Stoggs and Thwaites Lancaster Bomber.
This was a decent enough pub to have drink in,but slightly spoilt by East Dulwich's yummy mummys and daddys showing their babys off.

Pub visited 25/1/2014

On 25th January 2014 - rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Graham Coombs left this review about The Palmerston

Medium-sized street corner pub in traditional premises, but squarely aimed at the gastro market, hence the 'dining room' tag. It has however retained all the original panelling and fittings, so it still feels very comfortable and pubby - a nice change from the usual bare walls and floor. Beers on at time of visit included Harveys and Kings and seemed in good form. The food is priced at restaurant rather than pub levels but is quite excellent. Not one for a long drinking session, but highly recommended for a special meal with a nice pint.

On 4th July 2013 - rating: 8
[User has posted 3322 recommendations about 3259 pubs]