Part of our Best Pubs in London microsite. Is your local listed?
The Antic pub chain is not what it was. The group's once-vast holdings are now reduced to a handful of locals, mostly in south London. Yet they continue to charm.
The Goldsmiths Arms in Penge ticks all the old boxes. Ales on tap? Check. Good grub? Check? Comfy, slightly shabby seating? Check. Decent tunes? Check.
The decor's a bit like your granny's sitting room — nothing we can really put a finger on, just the general ambience created by the patterned wallpaper, light fittings and velveteen sofa coverings. There's even a photograph of the King behind the bar.
The seating's mainly in large groups: great for meeting a bunch of your friends but less handy for whispering sweet nothings on a date, unless you want them to be shared with the random strangers who've had no choice but to sit next to you. That said, a smaller side room caters for couples.
The lighting levels are quite intimate, though, and when we popped in for a pint the music was a couldn't-be-faulted mix of 60s and 70s rock classics.
A large beer garden out back make this a winning summer venue too.
Images below are from 2015 and might not match the current appearance. We keep them in for the sake of posterity.
