Death of a Restaurant

[Alan Medic]

That's a good point maxxi as the GE is off the beaten track somewhat.

[Sue]

maxxi Wrote:

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> To those who say location is all this is a bit of

> a poser, no? Swap the two around and the GE would

> STILL be busy and vibrant and buzzing - and the

> Patch would still be f*cked.

Completely agree.

However the lack of business nous of the Patch team was surely exemplifed by their portraying their location as a plus point rather than a challenge?

[Otta]

The Ivy House is proof perfect that location doesn't have to matter.

[Jeremy]

Otta Wrote:

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> The Ivy House is proof perfect that location

> doesn't have to matter.

Last time I went there (a Saturday night) it was pretty dead. Location does matter... that's not to say places can't survive off the beaten track, but it does make a big difference.

[Otta]

Yeah of course it makes a difference, and they need to try harder than a place in prime location. But if a place gets it right, people will make the effort.

Build.it and they will come.

Or something like that.

[Otta]

Not that I've stepped foot in The Ivy House since it reopened, or am likely to.

[Alan Medic]

Where is it?

[BrandNewGuy]

Stuart Road, off the top end of Peckham Rye. Great pub! Easy journey on the 484 if you don't fancy the walk.

[Jah Lush]

Otta Wrote:

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> Not that I've stepped foot in The Ivy House since

> it reopened, or am likely to.

Well you bloody well should. Great pub. Had a few in there last night after the game at the Hamlet.

[Sue]

The Ivy House ( http://www.ivyhousenunhead.com ) was absolutely rammed on Friday night.

We ( http://www.thegooseisout.com ) had a fantastic sell out gig in the ballroom, and both the front bar and the refectory were heaving with people who weren't at the gig.

Despite a few miserable nay-sayers on here before it re-opened as a community owned pub, it more than met its financial target for its first year, and has won several awards including pub of the year in Time Out, a CAMRA award and an English Heritage award.

Like any pub it's obviously not going to be busy all the time, but for it to have succeeded as it has in a location which I would say is more off the beaten track than either The Great Exhibition or The Patch is an amazing achievement by a lot of local people who have worked really hard to bring about that success.

It also has a great range of drinks at a reasonable price, lovely bar staff and loads of regular and one-off activities going on. And a nice little garden out the back. And real wood fires in cold weather. What more could you ask for?

[Otta]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Otta Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Not that I've stepped foot in The Ivy House

> since

> > it reopened, or am likely to.

>

>

> Well you bloody well should. Great pub. Had a few

> in there last night after the game at the Hamlet.

Would have come if I hadn't had plans, and used to go when I was in the hood, but from Sydenham/Penge it's a mission.

[Jah Lush]

We'll kidnap you next time, Otta.

[jimbo1964]

Another thumbs up for the Ivy House and the Great Exhibition. Both examples of really good neighborhood pubs.

[Lowlander]

Ivy House is great - and covered in the Financial Times as a shining example http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b0f329a4-7186-11e4-818e-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3KeYCM9ji

[El Pibe]

excellent, that's my mate and her daughter having a beer in the photo!!

[El Pibe]

*ahem* her daughter is 7 and I hasten to add there should probably be a comma in there or something

[MrBen]

Very interesting to see the current barometer of pubs/bars on the lane at the moment - its subtly changing all the time and not always in the way longtime drinkers in the area would expect.

The Great Exhibition is a great example. Its always been popular but its also been a slow grower on non peak nights. Monday night last week in there was full and you couldn't get a table (2 for 1 burger night). Like Franklins they've focussed on a neighbourhood vibe and people are going there for decent food, a good cosy atmosphere and great music. It's rammed and these are all people going there as a destination (not random footfall as per EDT).

Franklins are also now doing busy steady pub trade with locals and restaurant goers alike now that they've relaxed things a bit and they continue to deliver good stuff consistently.

The Pig is now looking super pricey and now that the shine has worn off is not as busy as it should be. Th eEDT is trading nicely but has the highest count of randoms /passing footfall.

The Gowlett? I couldn't even find standing room in there on Friday night. It still has a low key charm to it, friendly regulars of all ages, colours and creeds and still the best pizza's around in my humble opinion.

[Jah Lush]

All pretty much spot on Mr Ben. You're right about The Flying Pig. For me it is far too expensive. I'd only go back there if they were to lower their prices considerably.

[reds]

I couldn't comment on the 'craft' beers, but I had a great pint of Head in a Hat cask ale in The Flying Pig on Friday for ?3.70. That's actually pretty decent compared to some others locally e.g. Old Nun's Head and Franklins are both ?4.00 a pint. Not keen on the restaurant bit at the back but I always find the FP bar area pretty good - dark with a bit of atmosphere.

[Jah Lush]

OK. That's one reasonably priced pint. Most of the rest are overpriced in my opinion.

[Jeremy]

Cask beers are priced OK, but many of their keg beers are really pricey. They need to sort out the balance and have a more affordable range. Its not too late....