Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 23 and Version 22 of Bear, SE5 0RP

Version 23 Version 22
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Comment added by secretlondon: sign outside as i walked past says now closed mondays.
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Nice pub on the Camberwell New Road.

It's quite large inside, with two separate rooms. Decor is dark wood, polished floorboards, wooden chairs and tables, long banquette along one wall and rather distinctive modern chrome handpumps. Windows are unfrosted and of reasonable size, so it's quite light towards the front. There's a small beer garden out the back.

On AndrewB's August 2007 visit, he learned that they plan to rotate both the food menu and the beer range, and to support independent brewers and offer unusual and hard-to-find ales, a policy which is borne out by the beer festival they were holding during August and September 2008.

Kake visited on a Friday evening in August 2008. Service was very friendly, and the young chap behind the bar was eager to make sure I knew about their beer festival offer - £5 for a half each of the three festival beers, which at the time were Skinners Cornish Knockers, Cotleigh Golden Seahawk, and Rudgate Ruby Mild (the beer festival continues until 20 September 2008). I only had time for a swift half, so I restricted myself to the Ruby Mild (£1.65/half), which was just fine.

There are four hand-pulls, in modern chrome, and ales change regularly, but are all well-kept. Draught lagers on offer were Budvar, Leffe, Red Stripe, Peroni and a couple of others, and there was also Stowford Press cider. There's quite a lengthy wine list, and from the evidence of the house red, good quality as well.

When Kake arrived at 6pm the place was almost empty, and it remained so when I left at 6:30pm - a shame, since it seems to be a really nice pub. The food looks interesting too; see food board photos 1 and 2. I would happily come back, and I might even organise an RGL outing here some time. It wasn't too empty on Ewan's visit around 9pm on a Thursday, as there were only two or three free tables, but it was far from unpleasantly crowded.

As of August 2007, food was served 6pm-10pm Monday to Saturday. As of August 2008, brunch was served noon-3pm Saturday, and roast served noon-5pm (or until sold out) Sunday. Probably no food Sunday evenings. According to signs in the pub in September, they have a pie and ale night on Monday (a pint of ale plus a pie for £10), and a set menu on Wednesday and Thursday nights (two courses for £12 and three for £15), with a couple of choices for each course (both advertised mains were meat-based on Ewan's visit). Two additional specials on the night were marked on a chalkboard outside the pub.

Ewan had a Jerusalem artichoke, potato, spinach and cheese 'pie', served in a substantial sized Le Creuset dish, with a layer of shortcrust pastry on top photo. It was served extremely hot, straight from the oven, and was also extremely tasty, and though a fairly pricy £10, was worth it. Sides are sold separately for £3 each (French beans, mixed salad, new potato, carrots and the like). Although only I was eating a main, they brought an extra plate and some spoons in case I wanted to share it with Jo. The chocolate fondant and ice cream dessert (£4.50) was also quite tasty. Service was very friendly.

secretlondon went here on a Tuesday night and there were no tables left so she couldn't get any food. She had a bottle of T.E.A. (£4.80) photo and a pint of Great Crested Newt (£3.30) photo.

Quiz night is Tuesday; the quiz starts at 8pm, entry is £2 and the winner takes the cash collected.

Accessibility: A step up at the entrance, but level access to the bar, seating areas, and toilets once you're in, also to at least part of the beer garden.

See also:

Last visited by Kake, doop, Ewan and Jo, 20 September 2008. Food times and opening hours taken from the Bear website, August 2007 and August 2008. Quiz night and food details taken from sign in pub, September 2008.

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