Randomness Guide to London Menu

Pub near Crofton Park Station, rebuilt in the late 19th century and refurbished in mid-2008.

A long wood-fronted bar stretches across one wall of the front room, with a set of rather blingy spherical lampshades hanging above. Flooring is a mix of flagstones, varnished boards, and carpet, while seating is a mix of half-height banquetted booths, tall stools, upright chairs, and armchairs. Wood and glass room dividers break up the space a bit. Presumably the refurbishment was intended to make the place more family-friendly, and it comes across somewhat as a hotel bar.

Around behind the bar is another seating space, and there are two gardens: a large partially-covered beer garden/conservatory out the back, where smoking is not permitted; and a separate "smoking garden" to the side. The pub notably hosts a theatre space with seating for around 50.

We've visited twice now, on a Monday evening in October 2008 and a Monday afternoon in May 2019. On both occasions, the handpumps were clipped for Greene King IPA and Abbot Ale. In May 2019 a pint of lime and soda was £1.50.

On our May 2019 visit, there were five other customers when Kake arrived around 1:15pm, one of them eating lunch. Music was playing, a bit easy listening but not too loud. Service was friendly and welcoming.

According to the Brockley Jack website as of May 2019, food is served noon-9pm every day. In October 2008, Ewan's cheese and pickle baguette (around £4) was fine and brought out promptly. The pickle was served on the side.

Food "events" advertised on a flyer in October 2008 included pie nights on Wednesdays, curry nights on Thursdays (with a quiz from 8:30pm), fish and chips nights on Fridays, tapas (7pm-11pm) and live entertainment on Saturdays, and roast lunches on Sundays (plus another quiz, again from 8:30pm).

Dog-friendliness: Dogs are permitted — one arrived during our visit and was immediately offered a bowl of water and some biscuits.

Accessibility: No step to get in. The ladies' is up a couple of flights of stairs and round several corners and really quite an adventure to get to. The gents' is up three steps with no handrail.

See also:

• Photos of various menus as of May 2019: children's, vegetarian and vegan, gluten-free
• Beer In The Evening comments
• History article by the South London Club
• Wikipedia entry
• WhatPub entry