A recent trip to Forest Hill to meet some old friends for an Irish rugby match brought us to the…read moreBlythe Hill Tavern. I was pleasantly surprised by the place. It looks rather ordinary from the outside and, admittedly, the interior has most likey remained unchanged since its opening. But this is a datedness to revel in. The all-male, all white haired Irish bar staff wear shirts and ties, and seem to take great pride in the racing and other sporting paraphenalia that adorn the dark timber walls. Needless to say, the Guinness was excellent. The clientele was a mix of locals watching a Chelsea match, swapping anecdotes and exchanging stories of married life over pints of ale. A proper boozer, albeit one which holds a CAMRA award. There is also a beer garden.

Ireland v England. Bound to be a nailbiter…read more The Mrs is Irish -without the accent to my dismay- and wanted to find an Irish local to watch the six nations. After checking out the tinterweb she found this place just 15 mins down the road. Along the main road to Catford it's not the most appealing of locations. Approaching I saw the rugged exterior and blacked out windows I hesitated to enter but once I was inside all my anxieties dissapeared in a poof of age ole Irish tradition. More than just an old boozer, this intimate space is just precious. The walls covered in old signs, racing and ale memorabilia. Authentic by definition the Blythe Hill Tavern is the epitome of cork drinking tradition. The pub itself is split into three sections, which sees you have to walk through the actual bar to get in-between them. It's hard to pick out an English accent in this place, including the staff who are all in shirt and tie. That touch of class runs right through the joint with table service for the regular locals and those ordering a Guinness. There are ample places to hang up your coats, which you do instead of stuffing under your table - because it's that sort of place. This truly is a pub with heart and soul, here for the love and not out to rip off thier punters with extortionate prices

Reopened July 2014 having been transformed. Now serves local ales and decent hoppy beer. They now…read moredo food. If you are in the area go and check it out.

This place has come under new management and from the sounds of things, is VERY different from what…read moreit used to be! For a start there are no regular reggae nights, instead they provide a friendly, local service in beautiful surroundings. To me, the decor has a 'gentlemans hunters lodge' feel to it in some parts. Blue walls, leather chairs and a woodburning stove. As I said it has been taken over, and recently refurbished, so they are 'finding their feet', so to speak. They participate in a lot of local events, which is one of the things that makes South East London so great. One of the coolest things about this place is the staff.They know their stuff. Compared to a lot of the pubs in Forest Hill, this one has a lot going for it and I think is gonna be great. The beer garden is wrapped around the back of the pub, and their are seats out the front too, which I imagine would be a suntrap on a Summer afternoon. It feels quite child friendly, but dont quote me! Well worth a visit.

Bit of a disappointment, especially considering how good the pub looks from the outside. I expected…read morebetter, even from a chain pub (Shepheard Neame). Just a couple of beers and the football updates on such a big screen (and high enough volume) so as to be impossible to ignore. Managed to find an odd chilly nook at the back to get away from the not sexist (to the best of my knowledge) Jeff Stelling. Also back there was a small restauranty bit, looking more like a breakfast room at a hotel out of season. Felt like a bit of a wasted opportunity to me.

I went here for lunch today as I was eyeing the sweet potato and broccoli falafel wrap on the…read moreonline menu. Sadly and frustratingly as often happens in London, the menu was outdated. So I got the spinach, lentil and quinoa burger on a sourdough bun sans chips, for £11. The waitress asked if I wanted anything on top and I said no, deeply regretting my decision when the burger arrived. It was so dry, despite the little bits of chili sauce bits atop the burger, and completely tasteless. The bun had a fine dusting of flour atop that sprinkled everywhere. Dense and chewy bun but still lacking flavour. A few greens were sprinkled on the side. The venue is pretty cool with an ornate stage and gold lamé curtains, and red leather sofas, so I would give more stars if just for the venue. But I can't get over that sad, sad burger. There's also a vegan stew on the menu but with no description of what it is, I wouldn't trust it either. Dog-friendly so that's a plus!

The Ivy House! From the outside it looks like a regular local London Pub. Once in side it still…read morelooks like a regular local London pub and quite a small one at that. A short bar with a few chairs and tables dotted around and a peculiar pair of large black double doors. Down the rabbit hole we go, for behind the black doors is a proscenium arch with tables, comfy chairs and chesterfields scattered around the auditorium. A rather impressive and welcoming space, that has played host to many a comedy night. A pub worth keeping an eye on, as it has been know to birth some pretty special comedy talent.

Very quirky pub in appearance. Stuffed animals....old globes....a whole spectrum of items that can…read moreonly really be gathered under a term like 'random paraphanalia' Proper Job, a favourite of mine, was in strange condition...in that the first few sips were the beer in top condition but later in the pint it got a little vinegary. A musical pub. There was much talk of guitars at the bar and someone was soundchecking in the next room. Be aware that they may be charging entry if there is a live show when you happen by. The toilets were a little gross, occupied as they were by a swarm of flies (which should be the name of a band).

An amazing little pub, apparently voted one of the best in Britain- I wouldn't be surprised; inside…read morethere is a carriage with a stuffed zebra's head in it. And you can play scrabble or any one of the hundreds of board games strewn around the pub. The owners are a little old couple who look like ghosts (!) and are really lovely to chat too. You can really tell that the pub has been theirs for a long time, and that they are unwilling to ever sell out. Always bustling, and even if it isn't the atmosphere is unique; quirky and a bit spooky. I have been there for band nights, burlesque nights, rowdy nights and quiet nights and it has always been an endearing place to go to. Drink prices are average, and there is a huge selection of beers and ales in keeping with the pub ethics. Really bizarre little place, but one that will stick in your memory and one you will want to return to!

If your in the Catford side of Lewisham this place I think serves a decent pint and because it's a…read moreWetherspoon pubs it's reasonably price. a very relax atmosphere in there, again it has a good mix of old and young regulars and at the weekends and lunch times it does get quite packed but definately worth popping in if your in a the area as I think it's a decent pub.

I like Wetherspoons. I use a few branches in which ever area I am in at the time. Mainly South…read moreeast branches. This branch is nearly always lively unless certain times during the day on a particular day. The staff are nice. I've never had a problem with them or has to wait too long to be served. The toilets have been clean & smelt fresh the majority of times I've attended. I've taken my family & eaten many times. The only issue I've ever had was to do with whoever cooked my steaks. The chef/cook must adhere to what the customer wants 're how much the steak is cooked. A few times it was over done which I did not enjoy. Staff will regularly ask you if every thing is ok with the food & if you speak up they will change it for you. I don't know anyone's names but I do like this branch for its high multicultural mix of customers & staff.

Super friendly helpful staff great selection of beers If…read moreyou want a delicious plentiful Sunday roast dinner you won't be disappointed and definitely full up! Plenty kids games and large selection of books for the adults sports shown on several screens around the pub too Seating at the front along with family friendly rear garden Go on and see for yourself you won't be disappointed

Superb , unspoilt local victorian boozer with a friendly Irish landlordread more

This is a grossly misunderstood pub, which most of Lewisham's 18 - 35 year olds shun in favour of…read morethe more consciously-cool Ravensbourne Arms (which is on the other side of the road). At first glance, the Jolly appears to be your archetypal dead-end drinking hole: a cliché of an old man pub that ticks off every sorry box in the "clapped out" checklist, including a cohort of elderly gentlemen nursing pints of generic real ale. But if you spend some time there - maybe over two or three visits - you realise that this place is deeply interesting, with a cast of characters as lively as Eastenders' Queen Victoria but without the unpleasantness. There's the backgammon team, who practice there at least once a week and play other pub teams in the area. They are always ready for a chat if you catch them at the bar or in the garden, but will try to recruit you (even though they have no shortage of members). The pub stays open later if the backgammon team are in. There is also a sort of unofficial open mic night, which can fall on any day of the week (it's not planned in advance, just depends when the folk musicians turn up). This comprises ukuleles, guitars, fiddles and small drums, with people playing together or on their own. It's an open mic night because anyone can join in, but there isn't actually a microphone (in their defence, the pub don't actually call it an "open mic night" but that's essentially what it is). The lack of microphones is nice because the music played is quiet, so you can have a conversation without having to shout; the music constitutes inoffensive background noise. They usually play Irish folk songs, with Dirty Old Town always featuring at least once. The pub quiz is an anarchic affair. I can never remember what day this falls, often turning up with a small team to find that there's no quiz that evening. I am starting suspect that it's a moveable feast, such is the character of the Jolly Farmer. When the quiz does happen, it can vary from extremely hard to stupidly easy, but there is a cash prize - if that's not incentive enough for taking part, they also provide food. Sandwiches, sausage rolls, pakoras, chicken (a variety of children's party fare). Surprisingly, there is always loads of it, so if you were so inclined you could easily eat a day's worth of food. The bar maid is a traditional no nonsense type, just as well because the patrons are a little eccentric. So if you do fall in to conversation, don't believe everything they say. One of them recently claimed to have been a chauffeur for Ginger Rogers. Thankfully there is a garden refuge to retreat to, just in case.

A friendly local. Real ales served are Sharp's Doom Bar and Brockley Pale Ale, which are usyually…read morein good condition. There is a regular quiz on Wednesday nights and live music is provided on Mondays in the form of a jam session to which anyone can turn up and contibute. All types of music are played (folk, blues, sixties pop, rock, etc.), depending on who turns up. Dog friendly.

Great pub with quirky, spacious interior of mismatched chairs and furniture and board games. I…read morestopped in here early Saturday afternoon and it was pretty empty. LOVE they have Lilly's Mango Cider on tap- utterly delicious. I got a small size of the superfood salad and was pleasantly surprised at the decent portion served for £5.50. I also love the hazelnuts with the quinoa- Great flavour combination. Dog-friendly to boot with dog water bowls and biscuits on hand. Plus great Saturday soundtrack of 60s rock and roll and folk classics (Mamas and Papas, etc).

The Sylvan Post is an amazing new pub near Forest Hill station. Beautifully decorated with old post…read morememorabilia and vintage furniture ... especially fun is the feature wall plastered in stamps. Its interior is cosy in the back and vibrant and fun in the front room. There a several booths in the main room or some big leather armchairs to relax with a drink. The shelves offer free board games, for you crazy gamers out there. There is a very decent range of wines and beers on offer. This is not a cheap "Old Man Pub". Prices can compare with pubs in central London, but the great atmosphere and the happy bar staff make it worthwhile. They have a great Sunday Roast with a great offer for Vegetarians and also several meat options. I've also seen some serious man-sized BBQ equipment outside on a sunny Saturday afternoon and they always seems to have new and exciting additions to the menu.

You're simply not going to find a better cafe in all of Lewisham/Catford…read more From the relaxed atmosphere, comfortable leather chairs to the wide range of cakes and food this place is probably Catford's greatest gem. The coffee is strong and tasty and the wifi free and fast, but the greatest thing about Appetito is the staff; people so friendly and happy to help that they make you feel like you've been invited into their back garden to relax.

This is a real gem of a place. It is situated in central Catford and is easy to find as its bright…read morered! There is outside seating although this is on a main road so it doesn't offer great views of Catford unfortunately! Inside the cafe is cosy and comfortable with a nice leather sofa along with indivual seating areas. There is an extensive light food and drinks menu including, hot, cold and alcoholic drinks. Try the Hot Choc Heaven it's truly extravagant with marshmallows, whipped cream and hundreds of thousands! There is live jazz on Wednesday evenings from 8pm until midnight and a DJ on Saturday where you can try your hand at Hip Hop Karaoke. The music is good and varied. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed, everyone seems to be there to have a good time. It's great to see a local venue like this in Catford.