Picture of Hobgoblin, SE14 6AA

Hobgoblin, SE14 6AA

  • 272 New Cross Road

The Hobgoblin was a pub opposite New Cross Gate Station. It has now closed.

As of January 2015 the premises have been acquired by new management and reopened under the name of The Rose Pub & Kitchen, a reference to the pub's earlier name of The Rose Inn.

The information below is retained for those who want to know what it was like as the Hobgoblin.

A pub opposite New Cross Gate Station, known as The Rose Inn in a former life (a sign on the side still records this name).

This Wychwood Brewery-branded pub is very firmly a student favourite and its proximity to Goldsmith's College ensures their presence. There are 20% discounts for students as well as plentiful drinks offers. On a Thursday evening visit in November 2010, almost all clientele were students, and the place was busy, noisy and boisterous (with one particularly loud group engaged in vodka shots; when they left, the place seemed comparatively endearing). Conversely, on a Saturday afternoon in September 2013, it was quiet, with just a handful of customers in and music playing very quietly.

The main room is arranged around a bar in the centre, with seating by the window, as well as long tables stretching back towards a large beer garden out the back. Decor is very bare.

There are four handpulls for ale. On Ewan's November 2010 visit, these were dispensing Wychwood Hobgoblin, Sharp's Doom Bar, and Timothy Taylor's Landlord. The Doom Bar was not particularly well-kept, though certainly not undrinkable, and service was perfunctory. On Kake's September 2013 visit, the handpulls had St Austell Tribute (£1.75/half), Sharp's Doom Bar, and Thatchers Heritage cider. The Tribute was fine.

Thai food is served, from a kitchen based upstairs on the premises. We haven't tried it, but the menu looked to be good value.

Accessibility: A step to get in. Once you're in, it's step-free to the bar, seating, and accessible toilet (not sure about the beer garden). The other toilets are up a flight of stairs.

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Last visited by Kake, September 2013.
Last edited 2015-01-29 12:17:27 (version 5; diff). List all versions.