Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 55 and Version 44 of Bear, SE5 0RP

Version 55 Version 44
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Pub in [[Locale Camberwell|Camberwell]], on Camberwell New Road, with a focus on craft beer.
Gastropub in [[Locale Camberwell|Camberwell]], on Camberwell New Road. In March 2016 this is closed for building work. It has a new twitter feed saying it is reopening week commencing 11 April, under new management as a 'Craft Beer Pub'.
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<b>Note:</b> The Bear [https://twitter.com/TheBearSE5/status/929322683246006272 closed for refurbishment] in November 2017, due to the landlord converting the upstairs to flats. They [https://twitter.com/TheBearSE5/status/920611554449641472 initially announced] they'd be reopening in 6-8 months, but as of September 2018 [https://www.camberwellonline.co.uk/2018/07/tapete-restaurant-review/#comment-1368361 commenters on Camberwell Online report] that the building work is still ongoing.
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 four 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.
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It previously reopened under new management in April 2016 after a period of closure, and is quite different from how it was before (see <a href="http://london.randomness.org.uk/wiki.cgi?id=Bear%2C_SE5_0RP&version=41">earlier version of this page</a> for what it was like then).
On [[AndrewB]]'s August 2007 visit, shortly after its relaunch as a freehouse, 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. This policy has certainly been maintained over the years; the ales change regularly and are all well-kept, and have included Skinners Cornish Knocker, Cotleigh Golden Seahawk, Rudgate Ruby Mild (&pound;1.65/half in August 2008), Great Crested Newt (&pound;3.30/pint in October 2008), and Red Squirrel Conservation (&pound;2.95/pint in September 2010). The staff are always happy to offer small taster glasses if you're not sure what you want.
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It still has two rooms with painted brickwork <small>[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChE-RAAWgAEzOi8.jpg photo]</small>. There are a small number of tables on the pavement, and the old (small) beer garden is out the back with a couple of tables, if that.
Draught lagers on offer during [[Ewan]]'s September 2008 visit 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.
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It has four handpumps and 16 keg taps. On [[secretlondon]]'s May 2016 visit, as well as the beers <small>[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cg_Je4zW4AInta9.jpg photo of beer list]</small> they had one draft lager by Brewdog and one cask and one keg cider. Cask beer was about &pound;4/pint, and keg beer between &pound;4.50 and &pound;6.
When [[Kake]] visited on a Friday evening in August 2008, the place was almost empty when I arrived at 6pm, and it remained so when I left half an hour later. Service was very friendly, and the young chap behind the bar was eager to make sure I knew about their beer festival offer. It wasn't too empty on [[Ewan]]'s visit around 9pm on a Thursday in September 2008, as there were only two or three free tables, but it was far from unpleasantly crowded.
When [[secretlondon]] visited on a Tuesday night in October 2008, all
the tables were taken, so I couldn't get any food. When [[Kake]] and others visited again on a Saturday afternoon/evening in September 2008, only a few of the tables were taken, and the ambience was fairly peaceful until a fairly chatty group arrived a bit later in the evening; this showed up the problem with the rather echoey decor, with the hard surfaces amplifying their (perfectly reasonably pitched) conversation to the point where the bar staff first turned the music right down and then came around to apologise for the noise.
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[[secretlondon]] has visited a couple of times since the reopening, both in May 2016. On one visit on a weekday evening it was quite quiet. I had a few beers and it was quite pleasant. I came back on a Saturday evening around 7pm and it was unpleasantly noisy, with lots of loud groups, banging on the tables, and raucous laughter. A young middle class crowd (almost?) entirely white. It was quieter in the back bar but it was filling up and getting noisier.
As of September 2010, food is served noon-3pm and 6pm-10pm Tuesday to Saturday and noon-4pm Sunday (no food on Mondays). In September 2008, [[Ewan]] tried the Jerusalem artichoke, potato, spinach and cheese 'pie', served in a substantial sized Le Creuset dish, with a layer of shortcrust pastry on top <small>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/55935853@N00/2875124213/ photo]</small>. It was served extremely hot, straight from the oven, and was also extremely tasty, and though a fairly pricy &pound;10, was worth it. Sides are sold separately for &pound;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 my companion. On a visit in April 2009, a Jerusalem artichoke gratin (&pound;10) was also tasty, though some of the potatoes were rather undercooked. For dessert, the chocolate fondant and ice cream dessert (&pound;4.50) was also quite tasty. Service is always very pleasant.
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There was a table full of board games but it didn't look like anyone was playing them. They don't do pub quizzes any more and seem to have one off live music.
Quiz night is Tuesday; the quiz is scheduled to start at 8pm (sometimes delayed by around half an hour), entry is &pound;2 and the winner takes the cash collected. The question master keeps good control of the quiz and it finishes around 10pm usually.
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They do food, but as before it's quite upmarket and expensive. As of May 2016, mains start at about &pound;10 <small>[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CiMTGqqWsAAX2Jl.jpg photo of menu]</small>, and they do brunch at weekends <small>[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ch2F1jXXEAA6nRv.jpg photo of menu]</small>.
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.
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[[secretlondon]]'s verdict: The selection of beer is good. The clientele on Saturday night were too much for me but it's probably fine during the week.

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* [https://whatpub.com/pubs/SEL/10865/ WhatPub entry]
* [http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/comments.shtml/31853/ Beer In The Evening comments]
* [http://www.fancyapint.com/pub/3738 Fancyapint review]
* [http://www.london-eating.co.uk/30101.htm London Eating comments]
* [http://squealpiggy.co.uk/?p=7 Squeal Piggy review]
* [http://www.timeout.com/london/bars/reviews/12675.html Time Out review]
* [http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c64l76/ Trusted Places comments]
* [http://www.gaycamberwell.com/bear.html Gay Camberwell review]
* [http://www.tehbus.com/2009/03/eat-pub-food-bear-camberwell.html Tehbus' review]
* [http://www.southwarknews.co.uk/00,news,16711,6490,00.htm Southwark News review]
* [http://www.grumblinggourmet.com/2010/04/review-of-bear-freehouse-camberwell-apr.html Grumbling Gourmet review]
* [http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars/the-bear-review-54004.html ViewLondon review]
* Kake's photos of the menu board outside as of August 2008: [http://flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/2809538507/ 1], [http://flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/2809547007/ 2
]
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<div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[secretlondon]], May 2016.</div>
<div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[Kake]], September 2010. Food times and opening hours taken from the Bear website, September 2010. Quiz night and food details taken from sign in pub, September 2008.</div>
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category='Beer Garden,Good Beer Guide 2010,Good Beer Guide 2011,Good Beer Guide 2012,Good Beer Guide 2013,Good Beer Guide 2014,Pub Food,Pubs,Real Ale,Real Cider,Temporarily Closed'
category='Beer Garden,Good Beer Guide 2010,Good Beer Guide 2011,Good Beer Guide 2012,Good Beer Guide 2013,Good Beer Guide 2014,Pub Food,Pub Quiz,Pub Quiz On Tuesdays,Pubs,Real Ale,Real Cider,Temporarily Closed'
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host='81.187.166.218'
hours_text='Temporarily closed'
host='81.187.223.119'
hours_text='noon-11pm Mon-Fri; noon-midnight Sat; noon-10:30pm Sun'
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opening_hours_text='Temporarily closed'
opening_hours_text='noon-11pm Mon-Fri; noon-midnight Sat; noon-10:30pm Sun'
== Line 41 == == Line 51 ==
phone='07807 217733'
phone='020 7274 7037'
== Line 53 == == Line 53 ==
summary='Gastropub on the Camberwell New Road.' summary='Temporarily-closed craft beer pub on Camberwell New Road.' summary='Gastropub on the Camberwell New Road.' summary='Temporarily-closed craft beer pub on Camberwell New Road.'

Gastropub in Camberwell, on Camberwell New Road. In March 2016 this is closed for building work. It has a new twitter feed saying it is reopening week commencing 11 April, under new management as a 'Craft Beer Pub'.

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 four 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, shortly after its relaunch as a freehouse, 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. This policy has certainly been maintained over the years; the ales change regularly and are all well-kept, and have included Skinners Cornish Knocker, Cotleigh Golden Seahawk, Rudgate Ruby Mild (£1.65/half in August 2008), Great Crested Newt (£3.30/pint in October 2008), and Red Squirrel Conservation (£2.95/pint in September 2010). The staff are always happy to offer small taster glasses if you're not sure what you want.

Draught lagers on offer during Ewan's September 2008 visit 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 visited on a Friday evening in August 2008, the place was almost empty when I arrived at 6pm, and it remained so when I left half an hour later. Service was very friendly, and the young chap behind the bar was eager to make sure I knew about their beer festival offer. It wasn't too empty on Ewan's visit around 9pm on a Thursday in September 2008, as there were only two or three free tables, but it was far from unpleasantly crowded. When secretlondon visited on a Tuesday night in October 2008, all the tables were taken, so I couldn't get any food. When Kake and others visited again on a Saturday afternoon/evening in September 2008, only a few of the tables were taken, and the ambience was fairly peaceful until a fairly chatty group arrived a bit later in the evening; this showed up the problem with the rather echoey decor, with the hard surfaces amplifying their (perfectly reasonably pitched) conversation to the point where the bar staff first turned the music right down and then came around to apologise for the noise.

As of September 2010, food is served noon-3pm and 6pm-10pm Tuesday to Saturday and noon-4pm Sunday (no food on Mondays). In September 2008, Ewan tried the 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 my companion. On a visit in April 2009, a Jerusalem artichoke gratin (£10) was also tasty, though some of the potatoes were rather undercooked. For dessert, the chocolate fondant and ice cream dessert (£4.50) was also quite tasty. Service is always very pleasant.

Quiz night is Tuesday; the quiz is scheduled to start at 8pm (sometimes delayed by around half an hour), entry is £2 and the winner takes the cash collected. The question master keeps good control of the quiz and it finishes around 10pm usually.

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, September 2010. Food times and opening hours taken from the Bear website, September 2010. Quiz night and food details taken from sign in pub, September 2008.

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