If you haven’t been to South East London yet, know that it is the new, hip place to be. Artists, hipsters, partiers unite, this is where you should paint the town red. Behind the façade of fruit shops and retail shops are fairy light gardens, beers and street art. This is where the music is playing and the dancing is putting the rest of the world to shame. Hundreds of differently-themed bars can be found, such as arcade style or abandoned car parks. For the sake of time and to make the pub crawl as convenient as possible, this article will focus on one special street in particular, New Cross Road. The delights include Baloo the dog to be petted at The Fat Walrus, the mind-blowing pizza at the New Cross House or the equally awesome fish and chips at The Rose. Along the way is a grimy pool table at the Marquis of Granby and the famous club, The Venue, for some hardcore whirling and twirling. Fasten your seatbelts because this is going to be a smashing, drunken ride.
Let’s talk food at The Fat Walrus
It’s a bad idea to start drinking on an empty stomach. Luckily for you, the pubs here have absolutely fantastic food, mainly The Rose, The Fat Walrus and the New Cross House. New Cross House is renowned for its fancy pizza oven and comes in close competition with the tremendous pizzas at The Rose. However, I would recommend eating at The Fat Walrus where the BBQ burger is packed with onion rings, held together with a brioche bun and accompanied with spectacular sweet potato fries. If you are a healthy vegetarian, the halloumi salad is also a must-have. Expect to be raving about the food there for the following weeks, especially if you get the cheese-covered fries or the popcorn chicken. A full-course meal here is usually about 16 GBP (23 USD) but one main course for about 10 GBP (14 USD) is usually sufficient. The back garden is equipped with heaters and picnic tables where Baloo, the puppy, will usually come beg for food. The décor is clean and modern with hints of rusticity in the hanging light bulbs and dark wood tables. Upside-down flower pots classily serve as ashtrays and tin buckets contain sauces and condiments. The music selection has never disappointed and provides a jovial atmosphere. The staff are also always present and constantly come to make sure everything is up to standards.
Try the largest beer selection at The New Cross House
If you weren’t hungry at The Fat Walrus, you’re covered. If you didn’t drink enough, you’re still covered. New Cross House is one of the most charming places to share a pint in the area. There are long wooden tables for large crowds or raised booths for more intimate groups. Outside is an almost pastoral sight with a two-storey, converted barn filled with tables to eat, drink or smoke at. The courtyard walls are covered with beautiful pictures and graffiti while heaters and lighting provide a cozy atmosphere. An outside bar also occasionally opens up when there are large crowds and serves drinks in the garden. Inside is the long bar with a vast selection of beers on tap and the authentic decor makes it a pleasant and relaxing place to have a fun time.
Keep it glugging at The Rose
This one carries on in the same vein as the previous pubs with a garden that is absolutely to die for with a seating capacity of 250 people. Strings of fairy lights and stacks of blankets are available in winter and rows of long tables provide plenty of room to drink outside on summer evenings. Comfy couches can be found under the patio with rusted mirrors and more street art on the walls. Stone gargoyles observe as you consume your drink and plants provide a romantic and sheltered atmosphere. Live music is often played here and there are also television sets showing football or rugby matches. Inside are more couches and tables to sit around, which are equally enjoyable during the daytime. All in all, it is a stunning place to spend an evening at and definitely one of the most picturesque attractions along New Cross Road.
Fancy a game of pool at the Marquis Of Granby?
The “Marquis”, as it is referred to in the hood, is a slightly stickier, grimmier choice than the others, but no less fun and no less charming. Hopefully enough alcohol will have been consumed at this point, so that you will no longer be bothered by any grubbiness the tables and bathrooms might have. Some seriously competitive pool games take place here and a juke box allows you to play any corny classics your heart might desire. Later in the evenings, it is not uncommon for the pub to be singing along drunkenly to Justin Bieber or the Spice Girls. It’s a great place to sit at the bar and munch on twiglets and down a few pints. Outside is a great smoker’s atmosphere with a picnic table to squeeze onto and is in the most central location of the area. The pints here tend to be slightly cheaper than the previous three pubs at no more than 4 GBP a glass (6 USD).
Hit the dance floor at the Venue
For those who like to go clubbing, the Venue is famous across London and is just across the street from the Marquis of Granby. With a fantastic, historical architecture, the building itself is stunning, let alone the numerous dance floors. The club is one of the largest in London and often has live music to rock away to. With many different sections such as the cocktails bar, the barbarella for 90s tunes and the basement for the latest hits and popping to the beat. With a perfect balance of bars to relax at, a roof to smoke at, and floors to dance on, there is always enjoyment to be had here. Be warned, however, there is a smart dress code and entrance fees can range between 1 GBP (1.5 USD) and 12 GBP (17 USD) depending on the time and day. For those who are not so keen on clubbing, there are equally fun bars around, such as the London Particular or the LP Bar, decorated like the inside of an airplane with excellent cocktails served and comfy seats to kick back in. Finally, the vast amount of all-night chicken and kebab shops along the road usually do for an amazing midnight snack or sobering tool.
The night of a lifetime - if you can remember it
All in all, New Cross is a popping place with a massive choice of places to be and things to see. The Venue closes at 4 or 5 am when the tube starts working again, but a great network of night buses is available to help you get back home safely. South East London is known to be cheaper than most areas in London but is definitely one of the richest in terms of choice. If this article has not convinced you, then a night here definitely will. There are also many more pubs that have not been mentioned that are no less special, such as the Amersham Arms and the Bird’s Nest, the Montague Arms and the Albany which each have something unique to offer.
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