Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Random news of the day with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Hope, West Norwood, SE27
SE27
SE27 9JS
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Hope
Tucked up against the tracks near West Norwood station, this is a nice traditional boozer that seems to have been spared the sort of unnecessary makeover that has befallen many Youngs pubs in recent years. The pub has a single room interior, which has seemingly been opened out at some point, but it still retains enough interesting features to maintain interest. The room is bare boarded throughout with half panelled walls painted in a shade of light grey beneath plain white uppers. Large windows with venetian blinds along the front wall help light the bar area, with the servery positioned along the rear wall of this shallow part of the pub. The bar has a lovely panelled counter, which has been painted in the same shade of grey as the wall panels, with nice rounded ends, a matching pot shelf and a fairly straightforward bar back. Comfy button backed banquettes stretch along the length of the front wall, with chairs to the right where the room extends beyond the end of the bar where a few high tables and stools fill in any remaining gaps. Several TV screens were on when I arrived, all muted and each showing a different sports channel (plus one news channel) whilst pop music played in the background. The walls have been decorated with mirrors, small paintings a good deal of Youngs memorabilia and some backboards listing upcoming events at the pub. A dark wood framed fireplace to the rear is a nice feature and a door to one side takes you out to the decent rear garden.
Unfortunately, there was no guest ale available when I visited, so the choice came down to Youngs Ordinary or Special, with the latter clocking in at £4.20 a pint. It was in pretty good nick though and the landlord seemed like a friendly bloke, equally happy to chat with his regulars as with a stranger like myself.
I really liked this place and thought it was a nice traditional South London boozer of the sort that are becoming increasingly hard to find. The modern grey paint scheme and drone of modern pop music could both have been done without, but otherwise I felt this was a good pub and a much-needed antidote to the slew of gentrified pubs that have taken over much of this part of the city.
On 18th November 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Hope
Old-school boozer, now branded as a Ram Pub Company pub, it retains an amended Youngs cantilever sign and earlier exterior signage on the main façade and the side. The interior features a bold 'U'-shaped bar counter and gantry above, with a row on fairly traditional furniture around the three edges. Refurbished in a simple two-tone style, with a limited amount of decoration. Also has a reasonable patio beer garden at the back, down a flight of steps. Initially quiet when I stopped by, but later a few of the local characters returned; initially quite entertaining, but soon a rather mixed blessing. Two real ales on the five handpumps: Ordinary (£4.00) and Special.
On 5th August 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Hope
Dropped in on my way back from Norwood Park. Very friendly staff. Greeted me as I came in, pored my Youngs ordinary perfectly Woman behind the bar pointed out they have a back garden, so went out there. The manager was checking things over as he was due a visit from someone higher up. had a pleasant conversation with him. Worth a visit.
On 14th July 2017
- rating: 9
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Hope
The Hope is a decent looking long standing Youngs tied house.
I passed this pub ten years ago after getting on a bus from Brixton to Streatham while doing a pub crawl,so it was nice to finally do the pub.
Once inside there is a smallish single room with the bar facing,the room wraps around the bar on three sides,the room is carpeted and has comfy bench seating small stools,there was a TV to the right showing the Norwich v Sunderland game.
Like proper Youngs pubs i did years ago it had just the two Youngs beers on the bar,i had a drink of Youngs bitter which was a decent drink,the other beer was Youngs Special.
I quite liked this pub.
Pub visited 16/4/2016
On 21st May 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Hope
An attractive looking pub with some nice green exterior tiling, inside there is a U-shaped boarded room with the bar central. Leather type banquettes to the front wall, mostly regular chairs and tables elsewhere although there are one or two of the high tables. Light coloured airy décor, the lower walls are boarded and painted light grey. A framed history of the pub is on display going back to 1843. Matching fireplaces each side with what looks like a walnut surround suggest the once two room format, it isn't a large pub. Steps lead down to the rear to a tiered garden.
The pub was buzzing on Saturday afternoon with a good atmosphere, TVs had Sky Sports News on, food clearly served but it was gone 3pm so no signs. Young's beers, just Bitter and Special on across the five pumps, my pint of Special was in very good nick. I liked it here, no frills but a proper old school pub with a good feel to it.
On 10th April 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Hope
Essentially unchanged for the last 40 or so years to my knowledge. This is one of my favourite unpretentious Young's houses. I had a superb pint of Special at lunchtime the other day. Shame it doesn't do any food though – I would have thought doing something to eat at lunchtime, even if it is only a basic sandwich, would generate some additional custom. In fact when I was in there at lunchtime I did not stay for a second pint because I needed to get something to eat. Unfortunately the only other two pubs in central West Norwood (only 3 left out of the 8 that were there when I lived there!!!) did not have any real ale on so had to move on. But the Hope is still a good local and I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates the old-fashioned boozer.
On 9th May 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tony Nunn left this review about The Hope
The Hope is a proper local with friendly staff and excellent, well-kept beer (Youngs), generally fairly quiet but gets busy at weekends.
On 25th April 2008
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2 recommendations about 2 pubs]