The Ivy House HAS WON an English Heritage Award!!!

[Kingy]

but the beer is too damn expensive . full stop (that's a full stop)

[Sue]

Kingy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> but the beer is too damn expensive . full stop

> (that's a full stop)

xxxxxxx

Kingy, they have a fantastic pint of Trumans for under three pounds.

Yes, that's under three pounds.

And a great choice of other ales also extremely cheaply.

Have you actually been there?

[Cyclemonkey]

Kingy, when i was there they had Fullers Redemption on for under ?3 a pint.

[DulwichFox]

Last time I was there it was approx. 25p - 30p a pint..

But it was in 1974

Foxy

[Huggers]

Had lunch there bank holiday Monday, very nice veggie pie, mash and peas with gravy. It was about 8 quid which is what I might pay for a baggette and cappucino in some of the LL cafaterias. They do a delicious 2 point something real ale for people who want to sup something not too potent too which is excellent for those who want to go there, have a beer and drive.

[Cyclemonkey]

Fox that was 6 years before i was born!

Huggers- Kernal Table Beer is the 2.8% one, i like it a lot, perfect for a lunchtime pint.

[Sue]

Kernel is really nice - and brewed in Bermondsey!!

http://www.thekernelbrewery.com/

[aquarius moon]

I was a bit surprised that it was such a low-key opening.

I think I was expecting a fanfare, bunting, balloons, notices on all the local forums and some introductory offers (buy one, get one half-price), free nibbles etc. on launch night.

Also, some flyers through doors, informing locals of the opening.

I walk past there most days, and didn't even realise they were open til I read it on here!

I thought they were still renovating the place, due to work being carried out at the front.

It certainly doesn't look very welcoming.

[Sue]

If they had had a "big launch", they would not have been able to accommodate everybody who wanted to go.

At the meeting there earlier in the year to discuss their plans, many people could not even get into the pub and were spilling into the street.

I was up there on Tuesday night and I have never seen the place so busy on a weekday night. It was great.

[aquarius moon]

Maybe it would have been nice, just to inform locals then.

As it's a community pub!

[Mattsoper]

Hence the low-key opening: get the place up and running and deal with any outstanding work first so that when news of the opening does spread, customers have the best possible experience and hopefully don't feel compelled to post negative feedback on local forums.

There's clearly still some work to be done on the front and back outside spaces but that won't spoil your enjoyment of the excellent selection of beers (Frontier lager has become a new favourite for me), ciders and wines and classic pub food once you get inside.

[aquarius moon]

It looked much better when I walked past this evening.

Some new tables have been put out the front and they were full up with people.

The door was open, so you could see into the bar, which looked really busy.

Word is obviously spreading that they are up & running!

[The Minkey]

I happened by last Sunday. Beer selection was infinitely better than back when George was the landlord, staff friendly, food good. However, it suffered (imo) from the cr?che thing with kiddies running throughout and throwing sofa cushions around. Possibly nice and relaxing for parents who want to be able to leave their kids to have a run round, but not necessarily for the rest of us. Having said that, it was relatively calmer in the back yard and it seemed to have calmed down indoors by the time we left which was around 6pm so hopefully it will be a bit more relaxing come the evening shift. All in all, a most welcome community venue.

[honeybee79]

*The Minkey* - Thanks for your feedback. We're really keen to establish a balance between families with young children and customers who don't have children with them. We're aware that this was a problem last weekend and we have requested that children be supervised by an adult at all times while in the pub, not least because this is in the interests of their own safety and the safety of our staff and other customers because staff are carrying hot food and drink around the pub. Our policy is that we very much welcome well supervised children up to 8pm, but we request that parents bare in mind that the Ivy House is a shared space. We have a very broad range of customers and they are all entitled to enjoy their visit. We have put notices up in the pub reflecting this policy and we have reiterated it on our facebook group. We will be monitoring the situation closely and trying to ensure we strike that balance and the pub can be enjoyed by all.

We hope to welcome you back again soon!

[Anna27]

As a parent myself If I want a child free pub experience I would go after 7pm most are in bed by that time, almost like avoiding rush hour! It was packed at tea time today full of families, children were running about but it was a nice community atmosphere. Chips and beer were excellent, almost too much choice!

[Bluerevolution]

If you want a barman I'm your man. Waveney Avenue so 10 minutes walk

[AdaDoom]

Went for lunch today full of expectations but roast was well below par (bisto gravy and Yorkshire puds didn't seem freshly made on site). Wasn't looking for 'gastro pub' style but it really wasn't good enought to pay for in my opinion. And those of my fellow diners. Also very poor info as we were told on the phone that bands started at 4 so arrived 1.30 for lunch only to find a band onstage. Asked how long they were playing staff said for the afternoon, only

For the band to announce their last song! That was good for us seated by the speaker but makes it all seem very disorganised. Food arrived at all different times over an hour including hungry children's meals which were very late and kids burger far too peppery. So food very disappointing but atmosphere was nice. No kids running around and ours certainly didn't. Staff nice and the manager particularly was helpful and seemed keen for feedback. If the food quality improves I'll make it a regular but that's a big if. Can't understand what chef would use gravy granules and frozen yorkshires?!

[Anna27]

We had the same issue with the food, unfortunately we all ordered burgers, way too much pepper! Kids wouldn't eat theirs. I did mention it to the waitress. Might be time to find a good chef, first impressions and all that! Hope the standard of the food improves...

[StraferJack]

I haven?t eaten there but have been in twice now and was surprised at a couple of things

1) Beer selection. Not a dodgy fizzy pop Kronenbourg/Stella/Fosters in sight. Great mix of interesting beers

2) Busy. First visit was a weekday and was comfortably busier than any time I had been in with previous incarnations. Second time was Sunday lunch when one would expect it to be busy. But it was well after ?peak? time (3:30ish) and there wasn?t a single seat to be had. Not one

The interior is pretty much unchanged which is to be expected given it?s historical status ? and I like it so am pleased to see

The menu looked solid in a comfort food kind of way so shame to hear it?s not quite working but overall my expectations were way exceeded.

[honeybee79]

Hi. We did indeed have some problems with food service at the Ivy House on Sunday and we're working hard with our chef and manager to ensure that they don't happen again. We're very sorry. *Anna27* and *AdaDoom*, a member of the Ivy House team will contact you personally by private message through this forum.

[Chick]

Tis a fantastic pub.

[Bellenden Belle]

I went on Sunday for the first time and thought it was wonderful.

It felt every bit a community pub - packed, yes lots of families, and not a piece of trendy flock wallpaper in sight - it was as if all those words about lamenting the passing of old boozers in favour of gastro pubs had finally been heard. It wasn't trendy but it wasn't living in the past either.

It feels like it's got heart.

I'll definitely return.

[jctg]

It'll be even better when the old West Bar reopens.

[david_carnell]

I'd echo BB's comments and wonder if when (and if) the second bar opens it might be nice to keep it as a child-free area for those looking for a bit of respite from families. A massive advantage for a pub to have that extra space.

And I say that as someone who dragged a sprog along on Sunday....

[MrBen]

I also happened to call in there yesterday and thought the team did a brilliant job on service and the overall vibe was relaxed, family friendly and super busy. At one point I saw the manager stepping round 5 crawling toddlers and two scooters with 4 plates of food. No mean feat. They've stripped down Sunday's menu to roasts only given its a peak day and that seemed to work well. They are not trying to be gastro or major on fancy food for which there are plenty options elsewhere. Think "fuel" and old style classics. Beers very good and would echo that its cheaper than many other places. Roasts are under a tenner for example and mine was decent.

I plan to return soon on a week night for a nice quite pint...well done to them thus far.