I know we've brought this up before but Sydenham's demographic is definitely changing. I ran in the Asics 10k London run thing on Sunday and caught the early (for a Sunday) 7:55 and was amazed at the amount of young, fit, pretty(!) Sydenhamites waiting for the same train. Again - unbelievable that most of the high street refuses to cater for an area clearly taking up the overspill from less affordable Dulwich, Clapham etc.
In fact (sorry for long text) as I was training for above run I passed a Jam Circus bar (trendy, relaxed and packed) in the Brockley/Crofton Park area. That's what we need to replace boarded up pub near the roundabout.
Sydenham - world of the beautiful people
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sydenhamboy
- Posts: 264
- Joined: 8 Oct 2006 10:33
- Location: sydenham
beautiful people
Sydenham Boy the people who run Jam Circus are supposed to be building a place on the high street, over the bridge near Kirkdale Bookshop. Work was supposed to start this summer, but I wonder if the credit crunch is going to hold things up?
beautiful people
I used to think dingy pubs were ok when all I wanted to do was get pissed. But now I am a mother of one and soon to be two, who rarely gets out (sob!), the environment is really important as is the food because I am sloshed after two glasses of wine now!
There are enough Dingy pubs to please, not enough businesses to please the section of local people who go elsewhere to spend their hard earned money.
Those that do have been successful recently. The time is right.
Problem is Sydenham has a poor image to anyone who doesn't live here. Everyone turned up their noses when I said I was moving to Sydenham (except the police officer I spoke to who was very reassuring).
Those that do have been successful recently. The time is right.
Problem is Sydenham has a poor image to anyone who doesn't live here. Everyone turned up their noses when I said I was moving to Sydenham (except the police officer I spoke to who was very reassuring).
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sydenhamboy
- Posts: 264
- Joined: 8 Oct 2006 10:33
- Location: sydenham
It's been said before but there are quite a few dingy real ale places that already serve that market. And I love a pint of real Ale myself - but it was a sunny evening and the Jam Circus had its huge windows open and it looked really inviting ... so: really good if there is one coming to Sydenham. The Dolphin is constantly busy so we need another decent boozer at the other end. We can start plugging the gaps in the middle when the credit crunch subsides in a couple of year.
See this all depends on your definition of trendy. Trendy to me is clean, open, bright, comfy seats/sofas, decent food, and an equally good selection of cocktails, wine and beer. Prices don't have to be skyhigh, inflated prices = pretentious and like I say, I don't think trendy has to be pretentious.
Anyway, will continue to hold out in hope of an economic upturn followed by pubs that I wouldn't be nervous about going into without a big burly male to protect me...
Anyway, will continue to hold out in hope of an economic upturn followed by pubs that I wouldn't be nervous about going into without a big burly male to protect me...
Agreed 100%natbeuk wrote: Anyway, will continue to hold out in hope of an economic upturn followed by pubs that I wouldn't be nervous about going into without a big burly male to protect me...
You tend to not need big burly men with you when u go to 'trendy' pubs. Much more intimidating for a girl to go on her own into a regular pub where there are tonnes of men
There is room for a trendy bar, a nice family pub, possibly another gastro pub and more besides in the area. Currently you get virtually nothing in between aside from the Golden Lion which is the closest thing to a normal pub we have. I love the woodsman and their Sunday Lunches, but i'd like more variety.
Just because one 'trendy' place opens doesn't mean that you have to go in there or that you have to stop going to the other pubs in the area.
Just because one 'trendy' place opens doesn't mean that you have to go in there or that you have to stop going to the other pubs in the area.
mysti77 wrote:Agreed 100%natbeuk wrote: Anyway, will continue to hold out in hope of an economic upturn followed by pubs that I wouldn't be nervous about going into without a big burly male to protect me...
You tend to not need big burly men with you when u go to 'trendy' pubs. Much more intimidating for a girl to go on her own into a regular pub where there are tonnes of men
i'm sorry to hear you say that mysti,my daughter (20+)has for the last 4 years been studying for her degree in the local pubs, all she has even met with is polite conversation and has been totally unhassled and left to study, poor men always getting the brunt of it.( i'm all for big burly men though!)Pubs, pubs, pubs (but no bars!?)
It's not necessarily 'trendy' but the Windmill can be great fun (they've been having a lot of tribute acts in there on Saturday's at the mo). It's a very mixed crowd (both young and old, male & female) and has always been friendly when I've gone in there. Oh and the beer is good (and they sometimes have mild!).natbeuk wrote:I want to like the Woodsman, and I want to support somewhere that's clearly made some effort to smarten itself up, but whenever I walk past it is deserted and looking anything but welcoming...
Some other views:
The Woodsman is nice inside and the bar staff good, but drinks are v expensive. I agree that it is usu quiet though.
The Fox has been scrubbed up, but I wasn't keen on the clientale in there (too much f'ing, blinding and spitting for my liking)...
The Bricklayers Arms seemed a nice local.
The Golden Lion is massive (interesting beer garden) and the bar staff seemed nice (I only popped in for a quick pint whilst shopping one particurly hot day).
Dolphin: I can see why people like it but it does feel a bit too sterile for my liking (and quite expensive). Nice garden, but I haven't seen the fountains in full flow yet...
I'm still to try out The Railway and the Two Half's - anymore in the area that I've missed..?
The golden lion is definately the best pub in the area. It has character, a decent size, two seperate bars, a range of beers, a carpark, and a decent little patio garden.
Only downside is that its a bit steep with the prices....but I guess it has to be; its never packed (which is another good thing!)
Only downside is that its a bit steep with the prices....but I guess it has to be; its never packed (which is another good thing!)
Which pubs if you dont mind me asking, I'll be happy to have a look around and see how I feel thereAnnie wrote:mysti77 wrote:Agreed 100%natbeuk wrote: Anyway, will continue to hold out in hope of an economic upturn followed by pubs that I wouldn't be nervous about going into without a big burly male to protect me...
You tend to not need big burly men with you when u go to 'trendy' pubs. Much more intimidating for a girl to go on her own into a regular pub where there are tonnes of men
I was just saying how I felt based on looking in from the outside. For example, the one I pass every day opposite the bookshop is quite intimidating if I wanted to go in there with a girlfriend. New to the area so don't know any others but the Dolphin where I'd go with a female friend and no accompanying male. Would be great to hear some suggestions from the ladies here where they would go on their own/with girlfriends.-
nork1
- Posts: 287
- Joined: 9 Jul 2006 12:49
- Location: Banned myself - can't be bothered with the Greg/Ulysses show anymore
I know what you mean - sticking wine lists and tea lights on tables does nothing for me. I'd like to know who came up with the idea of stripping everything out and painting the inside blue too... it just feels cold and uncomfortable in there.natbeuk wrote:I want to like the Woodsman, and I want to support somewhere that's clearly made some effort to smarten itself up, but whenever I walk past it is deserted and looking anything but welcoming...
pubs
I agree with posters who think the Woodman has obviously improved. But it is very plain inside and out and could be made to look so much more inviting. Some sofas in the front part would help (they didn't have any when I went which was quite a while ago I must admit). Maybe some plants outside.