please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The reason this pub is empty is because all the regulars have left in droves. Unfortuantely the new management seem to be doing everything you should not do to a lovely friendly pub. These include:
1. Putting up a huge 80s style neon sign with 'Shakers' written on it behind the bar. When asked what the reason for this was, it was claimed the management had intended to sell cocktails. In a local pub. In Brixton.(It has been there for 3 months and there are still no cocktails.)
2. Leaving all the lights on full so it is reminiscent of a hospital waiting room. And then putting candles on the tables.
3. Shifting all the tables around so the pool table is right in front of the big screen and everybody fall over each other when trying to get to the toilets.
4. Not having any beer. In a pub. Honestly, 2 weeks running there was no beer, only lager.
5. No food. Ever.
6. Always giving you beer in the wrong glasses.
I could go on. Last week they advertised the Arsenal Inter game by writing on the chalkboard 'Wenesday football'.
Really is so sad when pubs are run into the ground. Bring back the old Duke!
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Went here last night, no Thursday night quiz and despite 2 pool tables, and 2 open fires there were only about 4 people in there.
Nice pub, tonnes of seating, just completely empty.
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Under new management this week. They tell me they will be introducing Harveys Sussex Best as well as a new menu and live entertainment so expect a few changes but hopefully nothing that will diminsh the pub's character.
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great pub ! in brixton... you have to try .beer garden is summer is the place to relax ..
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What an amazing find!
I recently moved to the area and being the Yorkshire lass that I am, went straight to the local pub. From the minute I stepped through the door, I felt immediately at home, the bar staff are lovely, ‘the putters’ are great, the first night out there I laughed until my sides hurt…and I haven’t stopped yet!
I really would recommend this place, and you never know you might meet me there!
anonymous - 9 Mar 2007 15:07 |
Perhaps not the most inviting pub from the outside but the Duke has now become my regular pre Academy haunt. Sufficiently off the beaten track to lose the crowds and yet only 5 minutes walk from the venue and more importantly, it sells a couple of decent beers ( Brakespear and Hobgoblin). The smaller front bar houses 2 pool tables (until recently there was table football in one of the pool tables places) and a screen for sport. Furnishings are basic with a couple of pew seats built into the recesses. The main bar to the rear has been extended and is quite spacious. The abundance of oak paneling gives the impression of being in 70’s version of a Great Hall and the solid brick windows with their frosted and stained glass panels create a wonderful lighting effect when the sun is right. The rows of good solid furniture has now been broken up by the recent introduction of some sofa’s around a coffee table and gives the bar a less severe and more relaxed feel. There is a Big screen at the rear but the other TV’s are really too small to be of much use. The large brick fireplace with its large Truman’s mirror acts as a good focal point although the portable radiator currently standing in front of it rather detracts from its grandeur (someone actually came in and chained a bicycle to it when I was here last week). Either side of the fireplace are 2 more pew seats although there are no tables or anywhere to put your drinks if you sit at them so they little practical value other than a feature. Finding a seat is not usually a problem and in summer, the huge beer garden is a splendid surprise. Meals are sufficient and served quickly and I have never had anything other than top class and friendly service here. Note that all the flat surfaces in the toilets have been textured to deter drug abuse which can only be a good thing. The Duke is almost a museum piece in a “Worthington E” kind of way and whilst dated (especially the bar), it is certainly not unattractive. There are not many of this sort of pub still around and in an area where good pubs are few and far between, I would thoroughly recommend making the effort to pay a visit if you are in the area.
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A good all rounder of a pub with a great 'local' feel (even if you're not a local!). Basically it has everything you would want from a pub...pool, food, sofas, fire, sunday roast, pub quiz, the beer garden is a particular perk in the summer and I'm loving the promise of live music! In addition the staff are v friendly and always love a bit of banter!
anonymous - 18 Jan 2007 17:10 |
Thought I had better put something up to date on here - An awesome night out whether you want a chilled mid week drink with friends and some tasty grub or a lively night at the weekend, or even football (if you are that way inclined). Always a great atmosphere in here and friendly faces behind the bar! A cozy fire in the winter or down the secret path to the amazing garden and bbq in summer. This pub has everything you need and more and hardly a suit in sight - hurray!
anonymous - 16 Jan 2007 11:01 |
Fantastic rear garden, inside not so hot. It really could be three or four different pubs - inside with pool players, inside with the big screen for football fans, an area in between which is general pub and outside in the large garden. Only probelm with garden is that it can get a bit noisy when the trains passby
anonymous - 9 May 2006 23:30 |
Miserable back street pub that is luckily without serious competition elsewhere so manages to get a young crowd in. Busy in the summer due to large back yard with tables, bbq and assorted drunks. Handy for SKY football.
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One of the better pubs in Brixton, the beer garden has to be seen to be believed. There's a little bar with a pool table and table footie. Gets busy with the big matches, don't people have tv at home for wasting time watching sports!! They've finally sorted out the music there cos it was pretty pants for a few years i've got to say, used to have terrible techno at an absurd volume but now its chilled out beats mostly. Good menu too...
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Was terribly busy when I went the other friday night. Lots of officey types - not too sure where they all came from cos the pub is not obviously near any offices. In the summer though it's very nice to sit in the garden, and they do an okay bbq as well. Music can be a bit loud inside sometimes, and bit of a weird lay-out in the bar. Lacking in atmosphere.
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As the Duke would say, get off yer horse and drink yer Milk (expect no Milk in here!) Loadsa Beauties, great Beer, great food, friendly staff - what a day/night out - Go there, go now if you can
5 stars!!!!
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Horrible inside - bad house/trance/whatever played at deafening volume in what would otherwise be a reasonably nice pub. Great garden, but it now seems to be closing at 10.30, forcing you inside... which as I've described above is really not nice unless you enjoy shouting over bad music. Baffling...
why - 17 May 2004 17:27 |
This pub has everything. Good music, massive beer garden with excellent food at weekends, live sport, pool table, table footie, late licenses etc etc etc
Dominic - 12 Sep 2003 12:29 |
They have revamped this pub, with a 40 grand investment in the massive beer garden (it now has outdoor gas-fires and all). Barbeque throughout the summer.
John Rattagan - 8 Apr 2003 11:46 |
stays open late, good music, has a massive beer garden out the back. a bit hard to find at firts, but worth it when you get there. an exceelent pub to go to.
olij - 10 Jul 2002 12:19 |
On a warm summer's night, there is no better place to be in south London than in the vast, forest like beer garden. Spliffs abound, and the Brixton grunge/media set love it here. Watch your bags if crowded in the beer garden. A personal favorite.
Mango - 5 Jul 2002 12:31 |
