The Crown & Cushion, Lambeth, SE1

Tris C left this review about The Crown & Cushion

Dating from the late 18th century, this pub was rebuilt in the 1930s by who else other than A. E. Sewell, inhouse architect for Truman’s; indeed, much of the Truman’s regalia remains, including gold eagle motifs above the doors, each surmounted by a crown and cushion; it’s all very attractive, but what’s not so attractive is the general mess to the frontage, projecting Guinness sign and ugly, poorly maintained Carling sign hanging from the right-hand frontage; all the written narrative looks scruffy too.
The Guinness sign is a clue to the pub’s metier, for this is an Irish pub: the floor’s bare boarded; there’s at least one raised area with an altogether woody interior, three-quarter height original natural wood panelling, traditional furniture with some pew seating, oil lamp-style sconces (probably original) and a veritable treasure trove of Gaelic gallimaufry along with knickknacks such as old radios, a clocking-in machine and typewriter to name but a few; a flight of stairs leads up to the Anglo-Thai dining room. Customers were a very mixed bunch, though trending towards the older end of the spectrum and seemingly none Irish, all making for a very good atmosphere, let down by football commentary (no-one watching) intruding into an otherwise good ambient soundtrack.
Surprisingly there is cask ale here, the two GK offerings (IPA/OSH) wisely eschewed in favour of the far more welcome Bermondsey Best at £2.60 a half and in good nick, served by a friendly barman.
A characterful boozer with a colourful cast of characters, this is comfortably the best pub in the vicinity; a better choice of cask beer would get the score up.

On 2^nd June 2023 - rating: 7
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