About This Pub
You know, when I think about pubs in South London, the Bird in Hand really stands out as one of those hidden gems that's just full of heart. It's got this fantastic community spirit, where you can pop in for a pint and end up staying for the karaoke or a quiz night – the events are spot on and keep the energy high. The staff are an absolute delight, always chatty and making sure everyone's having a good time, and the beers are cold, varied, and won't break the bank. Plus, with its recent refurb, it's got that perfect mix of old-school charm and a fresh feel, making it a great spot to make some memories. On the downside, though, it's a shame about the smokers loitering by the door; it can make things a bit uncomfortable when you're trying to head in for a drink. Still, overall, it's well worth a visit if you're in the area – just keep that in mind and you'll have a top evening.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The atmosphere is absolutely brilliant – it's got that warm, community feel that's perfect for a catch-up with mates.
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Staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming, always with a smile that makes you feel right at home.
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They've got a cracking selection of beers at really good prices, making it easy on the wallet.
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Loads of fun events on offer, like karaoke, live music, quiz nights, and even a pool table – keeps things lively and entertaining.
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The pub's been nicely refurbished while keeping its historic charm, so it's clean, cozy, and full of character.
Cons
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Smokers hanging around the doorway can make it a bit of a nuisance to get in and out, spoiling the entrance a touch.
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A few folks have mentioned it needs some tightening up in places, like better management of outdoor areas, to keep the experience top-notch.
Contact Information
35 Dartmouth Rd, London SE23 3HN
+442045467826
Pub
Closed today
Opening Hours
Monday | Closed |
Tuesday | 16:00 - 23:00 |
Wednesday | 16:00 - 23:00 |
Thursday | 16:00 - 23:00 |
Friday | 16:00 - 23:00 |
Saturday | 12:00 - 23:00 |
Sunday (Today) | 12:00 - 22:00 |
Recent Reviews
Nice pub but smokers standing in the doorway make it unbearable to drink here. Smoking is outside but some asshats are standing inside the doorway and chain smoking.
Shame as the place is a nice little hipster pub otherwise. Open mic night is great.
What a clean, beautiful place with such a smiley, friendly bar staff! We came for karaoke and it was so much fun!!! Massive thank you to the guy that run a karaoke and 2 girls behind the bar - you are all super sweet!!! Definitely will be back❤️
I organised my birthday party here and had a blast! Great drinks, music and vibes , their staff Patrick and Peter were great and making sure we had fun!
JA
José Alejandro Marchena
10/10 environment, cozy lovely pool table and really friendly staff. Nikita was one of the best bar lady’s I’ve witnessed! Friendly, bubbly and great atmosphere! New jukebox is a cool addition.
Highly recommend!
🚇 Forest Hill
🍺 £6.10 Madri
A Stunning Pub That. Needs A Kick Up The Backside.
The Bird in Hand is located on Dartmouth Road in Forest Hill, South East London. The nearest station is Forest Hill Overground, it’s a four minute walk to get here.
The pub was built in 1861 and is named after the noble art of falconry.
The Bird in Hand was taken over by @anticpubs last year. They have extensively refurbished the pub and exposed many original features including the pub’s sign and the beautiful exterior tiles.
This is a one bar pub that has two rooms, the main bar area is at the front and there is a raised section at the back. The decor here is bold with a mix of traditional and contemporary features. There is a traditional servery that has a solid wood counter. The walls are adorned with an eclectic mix of photos and prints, the wall with the vinyl looked very cool. There is plenty of seating throughout the pub mixing retro chairs and long banquettes. Other features include an old Joanna, a vinyl record player and a projector screen for live sport.
The beer selection was excellent and included four cask ales, craft options and a selection of mainstream brands. I decided on a Madri, my pint was decent, price point was average. The Bird in Hand doesn’t serve food at present.
We arrived around 2pm on a mild Saturday afternoon in February. On arrival there were three other punters in attendance. The atmosphere was calm and set to an eclectic soundtrack of Cuban to Northern Soul. The service was a lack lustre, we received no welcome or acknowledgment., the fella who served us didn’t look interested. We took a seat and pondered why this stunning looking pub was so quiet, every other pub we visited in the area this day was busy by comparison. The only common denominator was service and soul which this pub was lacking.
We left the @birdinhandfh very disappointed, this pub has the potential to be a cracking pub. This pub used to have a moody reputation, so not sure if it is lingering. Something is not quite right here, hopefully they engage the local community and fix it.
ℹ️ Info correct on visiting 17.02.24
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