Looking for the best pubs in Forest Hill? These are the top boozers you need to visit for a great pint.
Tucked away in Lewisham, Forest Hill is a leafy London suburb known for its cool cafes, beautiful parks, and cosy pubs.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional boozer and a classic pint or fancy venturing into a craft pub with a diverse array of local beers, do not underestimate this gorgeous corner of London.
Let’s dive in…
Best Pubs in Forest Hill
The Chandos
The first of these pubs, The Chandos, is a traditional London pub with a little bit of a twist – and we love it.
Serving a menu of homemade pizzas from Flatboys and a roster of drinks composed of independently brewed beers and ales, The Chandos acts as the intersection between the traditional and the modern, providing good service, a welcoming atmosphere, and a pub run by unique people in their own unique way.
Best of all, they have an awesome roof terrace and sweet urban garden out the back, which are perfect for the long lazy summer evenings, and plenty of events.
Friday nights is Shots Night, when the beats begin to pump and the shots begin to flow, while you can get together with mates to test your knowledge at the leisurely Sunday evening quiz nights.
The Honor Oak
Just a five minute stroll away from Forest Hill station, you will find The Honor Oak, a somewhat traditional British pub offering a wide selection of drinks and simple (but delicious) takes on homemade British pub food.
What it lacks in frills, however, it makes up for in entertainment. The attached ‘Laugh Train Home’ comedy club next door hosts comedians, and bands on a regular basis. There’s also a fun open mic night where you’re encouraged to bash out your West End favourite (although there’s no obligation), and a cool Wednesday night pub quiz.
Not only that, kids are catered for with the Friday Foxtots session, drag storytime on Saturday mornings and arts and crafts with the Sunday afternoon Kids Table.
Come for the atmosphere – and the decent selection of drinks – and stay for the show.
London Beer Dispensary
If it’s old world charm you’re looking for, then the London Beer Dispensary may just be the place for you.
With a quirky, somewhat bohemian interior and a focus on reclaimed wooden furniture and vintage-style fittings, this pub is the perfect place to sit back and read a book, unwind with colleagues after a long day, or socialise with friends.
Indeed, with Southeast London absolutely brimming with cool new craft breweries, this is the place to sit, chill, and find your favourite new tipple while expanding your Untapped app at the same time.
The Dolphin
If you’re looking for a relaxed, family friendly place to bring the kids on the weekend, then head to The Dolphin pub.
Boasting a traditional yet peaceful interior, but with a sizable menu of homemade pub classics, this establishment chooses quality over gimmicks, offering a no nonsense but friendly community atmosphere at a fair price.
There are special offers on during the week, ranging from 2-4-1 pizza on Mondays to £14 burger and a pint on Tuesday. And, if you drink eight pints or glasses of wine there, you can get the ninth free. We don’t suggest you try and claim this offer in one night, pace yourselves!
The Blythe Hill Tavern
The Blythe Hill Tavern is reminiscent of a bygone era – in the best possible way.
With a central bar creating three separate, cosy seating areas, the traditional design is laden with charm and reinforced by friendly, attentive staff who make customer service their top priority.
You’ll understand what kind of the pub this is the moment you walk in, with walls and ceilings adorned with real ale pump badges and beer mats. Warm and welcoming, they have sports on quietly all day.
Other events include regular quiz nights and local musicians on Thursdays, while they have been known to have a pizza van parked up outside to satisfy your culinary cravings.
Family and dog friendly, The Blythe Hill Tavern offers a range of homemade food, a wide selection of craft beer, ale, and ciders, as well as live music to top off the evening.
If you want a pub that feels like a home away from home, then this is the place for you.
The Ivy House
A short walk away in the Peckham area, The Ivy House is a quirky one indeed.
Situated in a Grade-II listed building constructed in 1930, The Ivy was reopened in 2013 as London’s first cooperatively owned public house and was recently named the 11th coolest pub in the UK by the Sunday Times.
With a function room hosting jazz bands, stand-up comedy, jive dancing, and yoga classes, The Ivy House has definitely transcended what we know and expect from a pub, truly reconnecting with the community-minded spirit pubs were always designed to uphold. Indeed, if you really enjoy your time at this community-owned pub, you can buy shares in it yourself!
With a wide selection of drinks, and a menu of awesome pizzas, The Ivy House is truly one of the top pubs in southeast London..
The Sylvan Post
Opened on the site of Forest Hill’s former post office, The Sylvan Post is a charming addition to the district, delivering an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere at affordable prices.
Stocking a wide selection of premium lager and ciders, as well as a popular range of independent craft beers, The Sylvan Post combines a much missed sense of community, with a very modern outlook.
Food can be purchased on evenings and weekends and the pub offers a delicious take on hearty grub. We love their lentil shepherds’ pie, while their rosemary and garlic whole-baked camembert makes the perfect date-night sharer. Indeed, if you’re looking for a romantic spot for an intimate meal, book one of their private dining experiences in one of their vaults.
Regular events include afternoon Champers and Pampers wine tasting for parents, Wednesday quiz night and 2 cocktails for £12 on Thursdays. Don’t mind if we do!
The Signal Pub
If you’re looking for a pub with a difference, The Signal is a gorgeous pub that acts as a community hub for locals.
Drinks-wise, there’s a whole host of cocktails (2-4-1 all day, every day!), wines, and craft spirits, as well as a healthy selection of classic and craft brews.
What about the food? The menu is filled with dishes that are sure to hit the spot. From their small plates such as cheesy button mushrooms and cheese and apricot terrine, through to the pub faves including lasagne, fish n chips, and a mouthwatering array of tasty burgers.
Make sure to check out the uber-cool beer garden space that is perfect for hanging out with pals on a summery day.
Want some music to start your weekend? Friday night is Groove Junction night, the perfect way to get your weekend off to a flyer.
All Inn One Pub
If it’s a beautiful pub you’re after, All Inn One Pub is for you. We love the generous outdoor space.
Not only is the interior a modern, industrial take on a classic Victorian pub, but the drinks selection is stellar. Cask marqued real ales, craft beers, and carefully curated wines.
While the kitchen in the pub is no longer open, they regularly have cool street food pop ups outside, and also encourage you to order in if you want something to line your stomach as you drink.
The pub is surrounded by different, and very cool outdoor spaces that are magical spots to enjoy low-key summer drinks while basking in the sunshine.
Bird In Hand
Recently re-opened following a refurb to the interior and a make-under to the outside, the Bird in Hand continues the tradition of the premises being home to a good-old London boozer that dates back more than 200 years.
With a couple of staple beers on tap at prices that even undercut Wetherspoons and a range of evolving tipples from local breweries to sample, house wines begin at £16 per bottle.
This pub is right at the heart of the community, and although low on events to make it stand out, it’s the perfect spot for a leisurely catch-up with friends, without having to shout to make yourself heard.
Watson’s General Telegraph
Recently under new Management, Dom and the team have gone all out at Watson’s General Telegraph by refurbishing the beer garden, introducing a baning new menu courtesy of Bang Bang Smokehouse, and a range of cool new beers from Laine.
With craft ale and good food at the heart of their new approach, Bang Bang Smokehouse have introduced stunning smoked meats, huge flavours, vegan delights and all from sustainable sources on the Yorkshire Dales.
It’s not all bit BBQ flavours, Sundays are given over to awesome roasts with some of the finest Yorkshires found this side of the Watford Gap. There’s a games room, regular fun quizzes and an awesome outdoor space to kick back and relax in.
The Railway Telegraph
Another pub named after a Telegraph, the Railway Telegraph takes ts name from the telegraph system that ran from London Bridge towards the south coast connecting signal boxes along the line.
The pub dates back to 1853 and is one of the area’s finest Victorian-era pubs that combines a great array or beers, wines and spirits, with quality food from Bang Bang Kitchen.
We love the macaroni cheese bites and harrissa buffalo wings, while the roasted kabocha squash with tenderstem broccoli is a beautiful meat-free main.
The burgers are awesome, as is their Sunday roast, so you won’t be going hungry whatever day of the week you visit.
Events include regular weekend music, DJs and parties, while Poker, Darts and Dominoes dominate every Tuesday and Wednesday and free pool on Tuesday evenings. Thursdays are given over to quiz nights, while the first Sunday of every month is karaoke night.
General Napier
The General Napier is one of Forest Hill’s hidden gems off the beaten track, but well worth the effort to find.
Mixing a warm and welcoming interior, full of lights hanging from the ceiling by rope, gorgeous artwork, comfy seating including armchairs and sofas, and book-lined walls, with a cool and sun-drenched garden, this Forest Hill boozer ticks all the boxes.
Events include regular karaoke nights and events throughout the year to celebrate Halloween and Valentine’s Day. Meanwhile, if burgers are your thing, you won’t go wrong here with the menu absolutely dripping with stunning options.
