please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I too was wary of the creation of a Scottish theme pub in this forgotten corner of Brixton. Having lived next to the Hobgoblin for the past year, I was wary of how the old and new would clash, and also wondered just how awful it would be to have a Scottish version of O'Neills pumping out faux-folk music til 3am every morning to the 4 customers who had stumbled in by mistake.
I'm very glad to say I got it completely wrong, and where the grotty, dingy and at times intimidating Hob once stood, we now have a friendly, unassuming and welcoming pub, which rather than forcing Socttishness down punters' throats, has merely embraced all that is good about Scottish pub culture. So you get friendly bar staff, coversation with other customers, live Scottish sport for those who want it, English for those who don't, a relaxed atmosphere and some genuinely pleasant background live music - at least after the footie.
Not so sure about the other "live" offerings, which seem to consist of teenage rock bands of the type I've seen in pub basements far too many times, and given the history of the place it's never going to drag itself completely into respectability, but as somewhere at the park end of town where I can go and get drunk, have some banter and not worry about spilling someones pint as long as I apologise, I'm more than happy. It's just a shame it didn't arrive sooner.
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...because clearly sw2 needs more celtic theme bars.
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Dodgy scum mix with other people. Folks drink here coz it exists and it's open. Been the same since it was The George Canning.
This pub is on a bad ley line, man.
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Very good good for watching footy, very relaxed. The beer garden area is great in the summer, although not the 'one-stop-shop' den of iniquity it used to be. Special mention MUST go to the toilets which are consistently, shockingly bad.
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I think this place is pretty good. Nice open area with pleanty of seating.
Only real ale on is Hobgoblin, but I've never had a pint of Wychwood on tap that was kept as well as it is here.
Also the comedy night is probably the best in London.
anonymous - 3 Dec 2006 14:47 |
No longer serving the tasty Mexican food that we were willing to travel across London for (apparently it's now available at the Dogstar).
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having spent nearly ten years of my life in this pub (1992- 2000ish) on both sides of the bar Im glad to hear it's still going strong. Best of luck to the latest owners.The Hob in Brixton will always survive as "the place to be". Never mind the critics, what do they know!.. "Rock On" I Say.
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The food is fantastic. The best Mexican food in London by far, and a nice pint of Hobgoblin too.
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Having lived in the area for a few years I can wholeheartedly resonate the comments below. However, and it is a HUGE "however", the Hobbers has undergone epic improvements.
The dodgy element has been moved on (including the odd dancing man who still hangs out harmlessly on the environs of the grounds). A lick of paint and internal refurb has brought it up to scratch.
Add onto that excellent football watching facilities, and possibly the best mexican food I have eaten outside of central America. All served to you by the entreprenerial chef and part-owner. A thoroughly affable chap.
And then there is the Brixton Comedy night. Run by the hilarious Ivor Dembina and recently hosted by the Perrier Award winning Daniel Kitson.
I would say the Hobgoblin has the best Comedy Club in London, alongside the best Mexican grub in town. Not bad for your local. And especially not bad considering its less than salubrious history. Magic.
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Went here regularly in 2002 when it was good to chill outside in your scruffier clobber.
Visited recently and would agree with the 'gone downhill' comments - peered over the bar and it looked disgusting; bar girls with no clue of how to serve. My g/f v. scared visiting toilets. One very stoned crustie this side of the bar, any manager worth their salt would've turfed them out. Pass this each night on the bus and have impression that anyone can wander in off the street, not bother to purchase a drink and use the (plentiful) outdoor tables. Someone sort it out.
Wullie - 28 Jul 2004 15:46 |
Pub has gone down hill in the last few five months, old landlords have gone and it went to shit. Pint of piss in the toliet for a whole week! Hopefully the new manager can turn it around. Will never be the same without Martin and Sharon!
anonymous - 4 Jun 2004 16:12 |
A very individual pub with an atmosphere of its own. This pub typifies this part of South London with people from all walks of life socialising together with no tension.
Excellent pub to watch football with its large screen. It's one of the biggest pubs in the area with a larger room that hosts comedy nights and club nights. In the summer, the beer garden is packed with locals. Situated on a nice road close to Brockwell Park
MIKE - 6 May 2004 15:18 |
Other comments appear confusing, this is a pub of 3 differing pesonalities. The regular pub-type bar, the music/big screen/event bar and the large outdoor patio area. The large indoor event bar gets veeery smokey even with doors wide open. smaller corner bar pleasant enough. Outdoor area used to have BBQs in summer, but not kid friendly as asphalt surface usually liberally covered in broken glass and fume infested from busy adjacent roads,
goonagain - 29 Apr 2004 17:41 |
I really like the hobgoblin, very relaxed and friendly. lots of great characters too. never had any trouble from security ( or heard of any )
I've had my bagged nicked from here, though it could happen anywhere really.
jo - 7 Mar 2004 23:44 |
It's got comedy nights, it's got a late licence and a decent-sized dance floor and 'dress code' is unheard of there- pretty much everyone is welcome. Not the classiest pub you'll walk into but a laugh nonetheless.
Pablo - 14 Jan 2004 17:34 |
look, its a bit rough round the edges but its friendly , theres a big fire and its very laid back and welcoming.you can go in there a bit mashed up and not feel odd
anonymous - 1 Dec 2003 17:01 |
Nice boozer, never any trouble. Friendly bar staff and security (the comment below about the security is absolute rubbish)
Excellent garden for the sunny days
Dave - 14 Aug 2003 15:23 |
Dirty, noisy, over-priced. Can't imagine why people drink there. Has some of the most scary/offensive "security" staff of any pub in London. Could do very much better. I live around the corner from this pub and remember it from much better days.
Sally Rynne - 29 Jun 2003 22:37 |
Another good-beer-free zone in an area where good beer appears to be frowned upon. Also possesses bar staff who are able to charge three different prices for the same drink in the same evening.
Justin - 28 Apr 2003 21:49 |
Is it still there?
Briony - 9 Apr 2003 15:13 |
