The Commercial, Herne Hill - pub details

It used to be a very good pub. Not sure what it's done to the interior? Very cluttered arrangement of furniture; rather like Paddy Joes market. Beer okay, but Florence around the back a better place by far.

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SUSSEXSAXON - 27 Sep 2008 06:48

Recently had a revisit to Happy Herne Hill having had a half hour to change trains across the road at the station. Always was the only pub worth while going to as a young fella. On entering, hailed by Nick from Walters the Butchers. Pleasant surprise to see an old local Herne Hill face. Pub's been painted a dark colour outside and is now open plan. Have a liking to how it was before, clean, tidy, 1920s bar with public and saloon. Now cluttered with 1950/60s tatty furniture making it look uncomfortable. I suppose the great unwashed who call themselves creatives like that sort of thing. Just makes the place look seedy; a wrong move. Apart from that the chap from Coventry behind the bar was very pleasant, professional. And the Lagers were numerous and well presented. And I'm not a Lager chappie. Have to return and try the Bitters on a different date.

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SANTACLAUSISWATCHINGYOU - 25 Sep 2008 13:08

Longer ago than that Td - I think '85-'89 were our years of almost permanent residence; darts & camaraderie being the main draw in those days. Long since changed shape and added a decent selection of changing beers, usually veering a little from mainstream but seldom, if ever, featuring micros. The beers are usually well kept so it was most disappointing to hear of your experience with bad pints & even worse staff attitude to changing them - I thought the current mgr was enthusiastic about his ales, so I doubt he'd be happy to read about his staff arguing with (ahem) experienced drinkers about beer which was clearly 'wrong'. Sad to hear the damning verdict, let's hope it causes the Commercial to review standards & improve quality.

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trainman - 20 Aug 2008 08:31

Love this pub, really nice atmosphere and decent friendly punters. Makes a change from some of the other bars in the area which veer from rough as a broken pool cue round the back of the head, to ideas above their station gastro type affairs. Never had an issue with the food or the beer here either but I suppose there's always off days wherever you go. They do a brilliant pub quiz on a Monday as well-shame it can't be moved to another day though-a hangover on a Tuesday aint clever!

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Bru_J - 10 Aug 2008 18:04

This pub used to be the centre of the beer universe for some mates of mine 10 years ago. Now done up but still 4 real ales. I had Olympic which was acceptable but 2 mates had Bombadier which was awful. Cue big argument to get them changed - to Pride which was like vinegar. Even bigger argument to get these changed with the 2 girls behind the bar tasting the beer and declaring it to be spot on! On the list of places to avoid I'm afraid.

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Tigerdrinker - 3 Aug 2008 09:06

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