please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This is not in the most pleasing of surroundings - the pub is dead opposite the old dock wall - a high and intimidating slab of bare brick. It's also in Deptford, not a place of great pubs or many outlets for good ale. However, it has had a reputation for serving good beer and good food, and for providing a haven for Guardian readers for some years now, so I was very keen on popping in.
The pub is very welcoming and has plenty of warm, woody character. 6 cask ales on offer - Pride, IPA and four guests. Free newspapers. Large plainly decorated rooms with wooden tables and pew benches. Bare wood floor.
There are three main rooms, the one on the right has a bar billiards table. There is a small, pleasant courtyard at the back.
Good place. Score 8.
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Was in again yesterday and had a lovely vegetarian lunch and pints of Dark Star Best-delicious!
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I AM TOTALLY AGREE WITH MKGSTR! LOVELY LITTLE PLACE QUITE GOOD FOOD !AND WONDERFUL COUPLE WHO OWN THE PLACE!!
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lovely little place round the back streets of Deptford, far and away the most civil pubs left in the area. Nice friendly atmosphere, little beer garden as well. Can be pretty quiet as a previous poster said but very much preferential to moronic Millwall fans as you can get in some round the area.
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Good to see Charlie and Eileen back at the helm; no disrespect to the former licensees but the pub just feels better again (speaking as a very occasional visitor). Superb selection of guest ales on Friday - Red Squirrel mild, Whitstable East India Pale Ale, Dark Star Solstice, all at £2.50 or less. In every way a superb pub.
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I worry for its future once the gastropubbed Duke opens in September. Will be interesting to see if it can survive a probable hoover up of middle class customers (see The Dolphin in Sydenham and the Dartmouth Arms in Forest Hill which are run by those taking on The Duke).
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As a very semi-regular(!)I'd say don't listen to all the "hard to find" tosh. Use a damn road map-not rocket science. Literally 5 mins walk from Eveyln St, up Watergate St - directly opp D'ford Hi St. There - made it easy for ya! Always three rotating guests - always VERY good. Recent managmental parting of ways, owners now again at the helm. Its a community and an ale pub. Clean and well lit. Regulars vary greatly in type. Like any pub - you get to know folk, folk talk / folk vary. Not too many football wanters and those that are here are not idiotts. Can be like a damn morgue on occasions though, gets really frighteningly quiet. Sunday eves busy on quizz night. Nice courtyard in summer. Ale wise - one of Londons very best mate! Occasional surprises here. the D&G (Charlies), like the Wen, the Traf, Roses, the Blythe Hill Tav, the Sultan etc - getting to know these people and they're lives and sharing the banter: I'll tell you, theres noting better in all the world!
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I've been here twice in the last week and
I urge you to go for the beer,not only is it extremely well kept,it's a very nice pub and
so are the people.Prices are good too.
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First visit since my review nearly 3 years ago. Whilst the place hasn’t altered in any visible way from my previous visit, I can’t help thinking it wasn’t as good as I remembered. The emphasis is still on the Ale selection although the beers available the night we were there were rather tame once you have inspected the clip collection above the bar. I resorted to the Allgate Mild at Heart as my first pint despite not being a mild drinker simply because the other choices were a bit too reglar (although I must say that it was one of the most palatable milds I have sampled). Maybe it was just an unlucky day but things were not helped by a few raucous locals who went unchecked by the staff. Nevertheless, the D&B remains the best (and probably only) pub in Deptford for Ales it still has a lot going for it. The plain unfussy interior has defied any attempts to go overly trendy and it is good to see such traditions as bar billiards present. The basic TV is yet to suck up to nightly football and it generally radiates a quite civilised ambience in an area where you would not generally expect much civility. Overall, not as great as I had remembered but I would put it down to an unlucky evening. It is still well worth seeking out and absolutely streets ahead of any of its local competitors.
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Pride, ESB, plus 3 excellent guests, Gravesend Shrimpers, Itchen Valley Godfather, Dark Star Over the Moon, all in excellent shape. Nice ‘pew’ seating next to large front windows, the side/rear room has plenty of conventional tables/chairs, some new artwork, an unused victorian style fireplace and bar-billiard table at far end. I have a note stating that there is a paved beer garden, although memory is somewhat hazy on that. Nice ambience, and good to see the new guv (Irish = well-run bar) maintaining the attractive beer selection offered by his predecessor.
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Can only be described as a surreal experience. Wandering down a back street in Deptford passed a disused wharf and an abandoned pub, I think my jaw dropped simply finding a pub that was open, let alone one with ads for Trappist Rochefort on the exterior. At first I did a double take, thinking it must be a movie set, or that someone clubbed me across the head and I was having a Life on Mars moment, but no, it was a real, functioning pub in the middle of nowhere (sorry Deptforders, but let's be honest here).
Anyway, I wasn't particularly thirsty, but I just had to go in for a beer to make sure it wasn't an illusion. Sure enough, they had about 4 or 6 hand pulls, and I'd guess about 30 Belgian beers in the fridge. I opted for the Rochefort 8 (I felt a bit bewildered already, no point holding back on the light stuff).
This is just a very, very odd place. It's a normal run down South London boozer in terms of building/decor/clientelle, in a location that shouldn't be able to sustain trade (like it's boarded up neighbour), that happens to have the best selection of beer east of The Rake. The prices are also excellent - the 8 (£3) costing me less than half what a 10 cost me in The Rake the week before. I don't know if I'll go back - it's not often I think "I think I'll go out in Deptford tonight" - but if for some reason you happen to be around here, definitely stop in. It needs to be seen and supported before it gets turned into a flat, estate agent, or fringe Christian cult "church" like most other pubs in Deptford.
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Nice pints of Pitch Black when I went in on Sunday. Adam and his wife are leaving at the end of the month, with, I believe, Charlie & Eileen coming back to run the place. Hopefully some food will continue as Adam's cooking has always been superb.
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I havn't been in sinse the new landlord took over,used to live a stones throw,so was lucky enough for it to be my local,still seems to have hung on to the great reputation built up over the years by the previos landlord, really interesting mix of locals, regulars and the occasional international celeb
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Great pub,3 guest ales I must say the Ascot stout(5/%) was lovely. Visited today (sunday) wish I'd had foodit looked good and a vegetarian option too which is good cos I'm one! Worth a visit-a proper pub with a good range of ales on tap and in bottles and some of that chemical fizz(FOSTER'S etc ) that some like to drink for reasons unknown.
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Biased because it's my local, but in general I'd say Adam keeps a good range of beers on - the fact you can always get a decent pint of Pride in addition to 3 or 4 other ales says a lot! Good fish and chips and curries too. We are indeed lucky to have this one in Deptford.
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Fullers Pride & ESB plus 3 guests incl Nethergate and Pictish. I enjoyed them but felt that some people travelling here might expect a juxtaposition of different beer styles in the guest rotation - these were all golden ales. Still, the locals are very lucky to have this in their area, or would be if they'd turn that ludicrously loud talk radio down behind the bar - as if I need reminding how expensive my mortgage is getting while I'm having a pint!
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If you like youre Real Ale - Adam has made this one of London's absolute best. It was great when Charlie & Eileen ran it then some say the beer went down but its been fantastic for ages, it realy has! Try the Alehouse series from Verulum. Served in tip-top form!
(Just did a lengthy piece that didnt get posted.Wasnt just about the beer either. Oh well.] Paul.
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[.....and 'Yes', Jools - we WERE drinking real beer.Schehalion is apparently technically classed as a "Real Lager" due to the bottom only fermentation but beeries drink it as Beer!!
Aint seen you lately!].
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A group of us non-smokers went along to the Dog and Bell on Sunday to celebrate the first day of the new law and to show some solidarity for great back-street boozers such as this. We are doing a tour of the SE London pubs as they seem worried that trade will be hit. No such problems on Sunday; the place was packed, the smokers can use the garden which they all did without a murmur and the pub (which could get very smoky on a quiz night) stayed delightful all evening. Everyone wins, I reckon and I am sure the pubs will see a gradual drift to a new clientele who shunned pubs before precisely because they were smoky.
anonymous - 3 Jul 2007 14:32 |
Great atmosphere, an excellent selection of beers, good quality pub food too.
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Went for the Quiz last night and the beer selection was as good as I can remember; two great,hoppy and light bitters especially deserve mention. And in top nick too.
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cracking little pub. Went back there the other day for first time in a while. Great pint of Farmers Ale and a couple of games of bar billiards. Good place to spend a Sunday.
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A pub I like to visit as often as I can. Good to see it's not changed at all with the beer quality up to scratch. The location may be unpromising but lovers of good beer in surroundings to match won't be disappointed.
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Continues to be a great place to visit. Warm, friendly atmosphere. Great service by Adam whenever I have been in there and it is clearly a much loved pub by those who go regularly. And good range of beers.
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One of the best. I travel some way to come here now and again and seldom regret it. The beer is exceptional and there are very few beer bores to worry about. (You know who you are) It's tricky to find and the locale will keep the tourists away so hooray for that. keep up the good work.
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Hi just to let you know had another fab night at the dog, fab beer, fab company, it just gets better the more i vist
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On favorite. Tried the food the other night and that was really good too.
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Absolutely fantastic, great guest beers , very friendly atmosphere and superb food, amazing little pub tucked away in Deptford, jewel in the desert. I would also highly recommend the king Prawn curry,which you can even specify how hot you want it with fresh chilies!!it's gorgeous! not at all what you would expect from a pub
The other good thing about this pub, is it has no sky tv, just traditional games such as bar billiards & of course great beer!
Can't wait to go back
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well what can i say a lovely pub that served guest ales and hada tradiional feel about the place, honestly priced food and a good atmosphere... what wen wrong, i can tell you. it is now filled with larger louts who swear at the bar and the landlord and lady care not one jot. i used to enjoy a nice real ale with a meal now i feel like they are trying to empty my wallet as soon as i walk in the door add to this an unfriedly service that is slow you have badly run establishment who, it seems, encourage large louts i would recommened this pub to nobobdy at all its a far cry from pub of the year
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well worth the trawl through deepest Deptford to find this gem of a pub, friendly attentive staff, good choice of beers and belgium ales. Food is top quality and execellent value for money - in short everything a proper pub should be. I'll be back .
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By the way you can keep your bike in the small patio garden. Bar staff are really cool about people wheeling their bikes through to the back of the pub. Ans as its out of the way this is a definite plus.
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Best pub in Deptford. Well okay that's not hard. It's one of the best pubs in South East London and maybe all London too. It's a bit out of the way. But it's worth looking up. I recommend going to Deptford Market on Saturday and then taking a walk or cycle to the Dog and Bell for their fantastic bitters for lunch and then pop down to Greenwich Market and the Cutty Sark. This pub has an amazing range of bitters and ales of all sorts. It has bar billiards which for those not in the know, is an old fashioned pub game. Has pub quiz on Sundays. Could do with a dart board and some live music and then would be almost perfect.
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Was slightly discouraged by the dimly lit street leading to the Dog and Bell, but was more than glad I made the trip. The sort of pub that is usually prefixed with the words decent and proper. Decent beers, Shoreditch Stout which was a new one to me, and a local feel. Didn't have any food, but saw that it was possible to order 5 oysters for under a fiver, so maybe next time. Reading the reviews below, I hope they put on another pickle festival, sounds perfect.
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I made a special trip to the D and B, quite a long ride from Dalston via the IOD and Greenwich tunnel. Well worth it for a fine pint of Arundel Castle, a yard to keep my push bike safe (absolutely no where to lock the bike up outside) and a generally relaxed and pleasant feel to the place. Food looked decent as it passed aswell. Pity I don't live more locally!
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Excellent pub in Deptford back street with superb range of (lethal) Belgian beers. Had sausage and mash last time I went which was absolutely lovely.
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I went to the Belgian Beer night they had last night and it was great; loads of food and a big range of beers. The place was pretty packed, so I imagine it was a success.
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Went for the pickle festival on Saturday. I have a deep love for this place.
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I think you will find that this is pre christmas day only. As they are closed on Chistmas day.
If anyone is interested please ring them to check availablility.
anonymous - 10 Nov 2005 15:49 |
Hi Just thought There serving Christmas Lunch & dinner at the Dog & Bell Four Courses for only £14.95 its going to be a good Christmas
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Great pub and friendly atmosphere London Pride is my favourite and it’s on tap all year round also ESB. There is also the guest beers which change every week or so. All food is cooked on the premises and is fantastic not surprising as the new governor is a chief; Most of the customers are real ale drinkers not like certain people have said and the curry night was superb will be visiting more often from now on. Did I mention the barmaid very nice;-)
anonymous - 4 Nov 2005 19:31 |
The curry night was disappointing. When I got there 8.30 all the meat was gone, it was prawns or nothing. There was no choice of pickle: only one available, take it of leave it. And the chapaties were hard and stiff, as though they had been cooked early and kept heated. And now the bar service is falling off. That said the patronage seems to be improving so Adam must have something right. But the pub that I've been using for 16 years is slipping away
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Under new management by Anmolia and Adam, but with the previous owners keeping a watchful eye in the wings. Last night was a brilliant "curry and a pint" night for £6.99 and the place was packed. Up and coming attractions include the Pickle festival on 26th November (bring your own home made pickle, bread or artwork to be judged) and after Christmas a Belgian beer tasting evening.
Don't come here for loud music and a massive sky sports screen
Do come here for decent food in the evening, 5 beers on draught and a big range of bottled Belgian beers served in a friendly atmosphere.
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Things are changing. Charlie and Eileen have retired. The new guy Adam has his own ideas. He is a very good cook and the pub seems to leaning into gastro made. The guest ales are not so choice. Most of the differences are too subtle to pinpoint but the ambience is changing. Lager drinkers will be happier
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One of the things that makes this pub so excellent is the pub quiz on Sunday evenings.
It's a really good way to end the weekend.
It usually starts around nine & regulars at the pub seem to take turns in hosting it.
I hear also, that two very clever, witty raconteurs named Ben & Ian are taking on the mantle of Quiz Master this Sunday 23rd.
They are said to be rakish purveyors of masterclass trivia.
I know I'll be there as usual, with my pint of Old Vicar's Jock-Strap.
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Situated in an area into that anyone with any sense would not normally venture, the Dog & Bell is hardly a place you would find by accident. It is however well worth making an effort to visit. Winner of many CAMRA Awards, they have 3 well kept guest ales amongst the usual selection of lagers, cider etc. The pub is quite spacious, clean and tidy with a large side room and small beer garden at the back. They also have one of the few remaining bar billiards tables (£1 a go). TV in the main bar but not really geared for sports (I actually watched an England game here and there were barely 20 people in the pub). Friendly and efficient staff. A bit of a gem in an area you would least suspect.
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Unless you live very locally or you've spotted it listed in a beer guide and decided to make a point of visiting you're not likely to find it, tucked away in a backstreet near Convoy's Wharf. Well worth going though if you like your ales, which are served in the condition you'd expect of a CAMRA award winning pub. Fuller's Pride & ESB always available plus three guests. Sedate atmosphere won't suit everyone but the place has a friendly feel, making strangers welcome.
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fancyapint.com Pub of the Year 2004
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Yup, this place is a jewel for good beer, and Charlie and Eileen do a great job with the place as a pub to talk...but it can get bluddy dull,dull,dull. Not sometimes a bad thing, but the same faces, all with CAMRA memberships...where are the women?
anonymous - 30 Dec 2004 12:39 |
Still a super gem, go there soon. I know the area's rough but once you're inside it's worth it!
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Camra London Regional Pub of the Year 2004
Roz Cox - 26 Oct 2004 23:48 |
SE London CAMRA pub of the year 2004
Clare - 30 Apr 2004 10:40 |
A truly friendly upretentious local that has perhaps the best pub bike-parking in London. Wheel your bike through the bar and into the rear garden.
Barry
anonymous - 2 Apr 2004 14:13 |
Went in on Saturday night, it was quiet, which was fine by me and the beer was delicious. A fine, fine place to have a chill and a natter with mates.
The girl behind the bar was dead friendly and helpful, too, despite appearing to be French.
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By far the best pub in the Deptford area, a straight-up honest boozer.
ronan - 24 Feb 2004 17:59 |
This place really is an oasis in the area. Superb range of guest beers and Fullers ales always in tip-top condition and served by the inimatable owners, Charlie and Eileen, (long may they reign).
Really friendly bolthole.
Dave - 18 Feb 2004 18:03 |
the staff are v friendly the OWNERS Charlie and Eileen are v friendly, the patrons are friendly. no cliques no fruit machines no juke box. lots of space time and peace. quiet during the week busy quiz night sunday. home-made quiz, anyone can do it for free beer all night.
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One of the best pubs in London. Im a student in the area and since all the good drinking places in New Cross have turned into wine bars with rubbish music we quite happily trek down depftord high st to get to it. Selection of beers is mind blowing and proper bar billiards its a great place to just relax with mates and get very pissed.
Jools - 3 Aug 2003 17:37 |
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