The Joiners Arms, Denmark Hill

1st things 1st - The review by SwedishLocal is very misleading. The kitchen wasn’t closed down due to hygiene issues – it simply wasn’t making enough money (though the pizzas were very good) and the bar staff aren’t know for being ‘scrappers’ (half of them are female students and the guys that actually run the place bar any trouble makers immediately and are intent on keeping the pub a friendly environment. The pub seems to have a reputation locally as being rough, but it’s anything but that and is simply an old fashioned boozer rather than a gentrified gastro pub (e.g. The Bear) or a trendy pub (e.g. The Tiger). It’s certainly not a ‘geezers’ pub like the Nags Head (not that there’s anything wrong with the Nags – I drink there too on occasion).

I’ve been drinking at the Joiners a couple of years now, and now consider it my local, although there are pubs that are closer to where I live.

Anyway on with my review......The Joiners is a ‘traditional’ pub with the ‘usual suspects’ available drink wise in regards to beers, but also a surprisingly wide ranging and quality whisky selection (by far best whisky selection in the area). The upkeep of the beers has improved, and is now just above averagely kept – before I thought it was poorly kept. Prices are typical of the area which means they certainly aren’t cheap, but I don’t think there’s such a thing as a cheap pint anymore unless you drink in Wetherspoons which I don’t!

The Jukebox (which has a huge selection of songs) and pool table are free on Mondays. There’s a quiz on Wednesdays, decent live music on Thursdays and Sundays (and occasionally other days), and a good DJ on Fridays and Saturdays who plays a mixture of funk, soul, rock and the occasional reggae classic (100% vinyl). There is a TV, but no SKY, so no football is shown except for matches available on terrestrial TV.

The decor in the front bar is traditional (think wooden floors, wood panelled bar and bar alcoves), but also houses gorgeous original tiling opposite the door (unfortunately ruined by, I assume, a dart board). The rear bar is quite large and has a stage for bands. Unfortunately the original HERRINGBONE flooring has been covered by tacky looking LAMINATE flooring – unbelievable! The toilets are OK – I’ve seen worse, but I’ve also seen better.

The Joiners has a mixed clientele ranging from students to bus drivers to barristers to bricklayers, the odd ‘arty’ type and a few out and out odd balls! Ages range from young students to retirees.

The bar staff are a mixed bag, ranging from the absolute happiest barmaid your likely to meet to a barman who can get a bit stressed and snappy when the place is just slightly busy!

So what of the atmosphere? The reason the Joiners is my local is because on a good day it is EASILY the best pub in the area for atmosphere (because of the aforementioned variety of clientele), it’s not an intimidating pub and the vast majority of people there are friendly and up for a chat.

I think it’s a great pub, not perfect, but a pub I’m definitely happy is my local.

31 Oct 2013 19:34