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The Duke of Greenwich, Greenwich, SE10
SE10
SE10 9EZ
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 5 of 10) see review guidelines
David Walton left this review about The Duke of Greenwich
Last venue in SE10 was the old Vanbrugh Tavern last visited in July 2021 but first visit since re-opened and re-named. Had a pint of the Anspach & Hobday Bermondsey pale ale. Also had another stronger brown ale from the same plus Absolutely Fuggled pale ale from Signal on hand pump plus a rather decent menu of craft options. Have the rather strange astroturfed outside drinking area at the back plus an inside drinking area beyond the bar with a bit of a Bavarian beer hall feel of tables and benches to perch on with your beer choice. Better than good but below great.
On 4th April 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 108 recommendations about 108 pubs]
Tris C left this review about The Duke of Greenwich
This is a mid-19th century pub, located deep in the backstreets of scenic and genteel Greenwich and originally the Duke of Edinburgh, previously the Vanbrugh, named after Sir John Vanbrugh, one the architects of the Royal Hospital, Greenwich.
Older photos show a rather traditional locals’ boozer, but with a change of name comes a change of colour scheme and a predictable one at that: the exterior is now white and obligatory smoky blue which matches the interior with said smoky blue paint to the dado, then white up to a white ceiling above a boarded floor supporting traditional furniture; to the rear is a modern-looking area, possibly geared towards dining where the likes of smoked pumpkin houmous with toasted walnuts and balsamic syrup can be consumed by the mixed crowd. The bar front is also smoky blue with a pale wood top, a partially bare brick bar back with beers applied to a blackboard. Lighting comes from wire cage sconces with filament bulbs, décor amounting to just a few pot plants to windowsills; it’s still a bit bland.
An ale lineup comprised just Southwark Top Drop and Bexley Amber at £2.50 a half and drinkable, served by a friendly barman.
This isn’t a bad pub but it’s a bit anodyne; a more traditional and cosy interior along with a broader ale choice would get the score up to above average, but it really can’t compete with the Pelton down the road.
On 19th October 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Vanbrugh Tavern
Named after Sir John Vanbrugh, playwrite and architect whos work is represented by Blenheim Palace, Castle Howard and Greenwich Hospital among others, this back street pub can be found tucked away near Maze Hill station. The initial impression are of a slightly gastro trendy bar with little traditional pub aspects. The interior has been modernized in a “seen it all before” way with plain dark walls and a an abundance of grey paintwork. A flat screen is mounted in one corner and some local artwork for sale adorns the walls but other than that there is little of note. The bar area is quite small and cramped and seating is limited. Beyond to the right is an extension housing a spacious dining area and running alongside, a permanent marquee structure with mainly sofa seating. This leads to a pleasant patio with covered benches, some open air sofas (weather permitting), trellises, a tidy lawn area and BBQ.
Overall I found the place pretty bland and there is little on the beer front to attract anyone looking for anything beyond the mundane; just the 2 ales – Greene King IPA and London Pride (as a guest!) and m y pint was just about bordering on undrinkable. I can see the appeal to some but at best the place is OK for a couple of pints in the garden before it gets busy but that’s about the limit for me.
On 3rd June 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]