SeanMacGabhann

Mr Walton Don't be put off by the old-skool exterior - It is a very nice place with very nice food and a good way to have conversation with whoever you are with if other restaurants are a bit loud and party-ish

Liquid version of Skittles

I had this one: Man Walks into a Pub: A Sociable History of Beer by Pete Brown (related links on same page) very recently. Not sure if I still do or if I passed it on. Tis very good tho

Unless I've read this wrong, some clarity The regular forumites on here meet up once a month or so for a drink up in a local bar - the next one is on Friday at the Gowlett It's not Rainbow drink-up - it is just every man, woman and Claphamite for themselves, but Keiths suggestion of coming along anyway is a good one - if all of the recently declared gay members come along and meet up for the first time it should give everyone enough confidence to strike up a related-evening. If you didn't know about the regular drinks then that's another reason to come along and get to meet everyone and catch up on the gossip - don't worry you won't remember a thing the next day ;-)

I often pass them in the hallway and wonder how genuine/useful/scammy they are

sage advise Mr Keef If even half the recently joined people turn up on Friday it could be the busiest night yet

Alan If using Cleethorpes as shorthand for "a land far far away" from ED is a problem for you then I am happy to use my hometown (Cork) as a substitute. When I were a lad we didn't even know what a Mexican restaurant or Italian Shoe was, much less be envious of those towns that did have them And Mockney - you have already been told off for using emoticons as a cheap substitute for good writing - sort it ! (6)

Keef Tis true what you say but my point about it being "just for a half " back in the day remans - it was far more likely an afternoons worth. Drinking dens have always changed. You can't fix them at a point and time and say "that's it, perfect in all it's creation" - otherwise Louisa and other women wouldn't haven allowed into one of them until the early 20th century (generalising a bit but you get the gist) I'm sure those of us who do go the LL establishments will be somehwre in 20 years time bemoaning how all the bars have gone to be replaced by... well, who knows but they won't stay as they are

Now there's a questions that could go wrong...I suspect Louisa has lived here all her life and sees no need to move out. It is we who are the arrivistes...

In the last few months I have been to Sheffield Cork (rural and city) Devon And I can honestly say that life there is pretty much as in ED - new bars, over priced gift shops, coffee-shop this, organic-that So I don't think ED is some outpost the rest of the country would find odd...

Louisa I'm strongly beginning to suspect you may be a fictional character these days - we'll know for sure if you come along on Friday I am old enough to remember the traditional London Public House and there were good and bad ones. What's interesting about the Forest Hill Tavern is that it hasn't been sold on but made over by the (very traditional) existing owners I don't believe there was ever a time when every "normal" local popped in just for a half. Even back in the day that wouldn't sustain a business if it were true but my memory tells me there were a lot of people drinking plenty of pints - just like now The next forum drinkup is at the Gowlett and thne Hoopers but maybe you will be arranging the one after in The Castle?

The Adam Ant look will never be out of fashion DM (partly because it was never in but still..) ** you could have left me the mint chocolate CitizenED ** * is it really Monday night ? sigh... *

Excellent post Liquorish - not sure if you have seen some of the dialogue on here with other businesses from time to time but it's always good to hear from the people in charge of the places we frequent I'll be looking forward to heading back real soon

I think it will need to bed in for a longer period before it makes it to my top 3 but it definitely has bags of potential and is doing lots right I went in Sun lunchtime and had a very pleasant experience all round, with one exception. For the first 45 mins the music played over the PA took me back to growing up in rural Ireland. And I don't mean that in a good way. I never thought I would be relieved to hear Paul Weller but when the music changed so did my mood Very friendly staff I thought as well - the kitchen was (as is usual with new pubs) struggling to cope and they handled customers very well

GG I have played on the pool table in The Castle several times - it's only one table and usually has someone who "owns" the table so just going and hoping to play with partner or friend can be pot luck The Plough used to have 2 tables but that is about the only good thing to be said for it The best bet my miles is The Gowlett - coincidentally the venue for the drinkup next week so you can get a feel for it then

* draped in a quilt, wanders in to the room and plonks on sofa * * no energy to drink even tea, so stares into the middle distance * * wonders what on earth he was blabbering on about after making a late showing at EDT * * groans and pulls quilt over head in embarrassment * * decides that's no use to anyone so pops up to Hope & Greenwood and buys lots of chocolate for everyone * * puts chocolate on table for anyone who enters *

Dulwichmum and double entendres don't go together surely? But the loveliness on here is certainly easing my hangover this morning

Mumra Can only echo the above comments - we can generally put up with the aggro if urban life but when your home gets involved its the worst

Indeed jo. Thanks for coming on and stating your case so well. Although it is obviously intelligent people like you with faith that make me really want to ask a million questions. then again.. You think we are eloquent on here so thats a worry ;-)

Nah we will be a soft touch of a crowd.. Just josh ing .

Chantoozie You've clearly never played a gig in front of a room full of EDFers, all standing in front of the stage with their arms folded going: "go on then - impress us" B)

MP - don't get me wrong - I wasn't saying ther was anything wrong with the phrase Kafka-esque But the dunderheads at work took it to mean I was a fith columnist or something - they didn't even know what it mean but knew it was "odd" R\eminds me of the Guardian journalist who travelled on a coach full of Millwall fans up to see Leicester play at their old stadium Filbert St. The coach broke down somewhere in the Leicester burbs and they were following their noses when the journalist said "Ah look - this street is called Macademia St - another type of nut so Filbert St must be close by - we're on the right track everyone" Everyone seemed pleased and pressed on but he overheard one Milwall fan mutter to another "what sort of c*** knows Filbert is a type of nut?" True story And yes Keef you should!

Cheers Keef but it looks as if we are "up west" tonight (unusually I have to say) I quite fancy a beer in CPT this evening as it happens

I got into sooo much trouble at work once for using the phrase Kafka-esque in an email And Louisa, do come to next drinkup - just because an old boozer gets tarted up doesn't automatically mean everyone is a yuppie...

Look - it's a black American or espresso with no sugar, or nothing. Latte Shmatte. But yes CitizenED - closest we have is Jacks which to be fair isn't far and is very nice