A nice surprise at The Tulse Hill Tavern

BY BILL LACY

I often walked past The Tulse Hill Hotel (for years known as the Tavern, and sometimes still is) – an imposing 19th century building – and never thought to set foot there.

I am wary about hotel bars.

I used to work near Charing Cross and one lunchtime decided to pop into the bar in the Corinthia Hotel, and never again, so I tend to avoid places that look like the mineral water will cost more than the beer costs in a normal pub.

However, the Tulse Hill Hotel is a proper pub too, not just a hotel bar.

I was directed there after a disappointing pint in a nearby hostelry, the Covid-era zealotry still in full swing despite the legal end of restrictions and the fact that the pub was empty.

I soon supped up and left. As I walked into the Tavern, there was still a nervousness about the new environment – both the staff and myself were unsure whether I could order at the bar – but this was a more friendly, welcoming place.

Most of the punters had disappeared into the pub garden at the back, and the inside had a slightly dark, refurnished tavern-feel to it, although it is impressively large in space.

The wooden floors, polished wooden seating and dimly lit ceiling lamps made for a pub atmosphere, many hotel bars being too shiny and bright for me.

At the long bar was a decent selection of drinks – I ordered a pint of Tiny Rebel’s Club Club Tropicana, and there were even a couple of hotel-brand bitters.

I was met with a shoulder shrug when I asked about these unique beers, but that probably spoke more about me and my inner trainspotter coming to life.

I spent an enjoyable couple of hours. While it markets itself as a “gastropub” with British seasonal produce on the menu (which has a high reputation), it is approachable enough to pop in just for a couple of drinks.

The Hotel dates from1840 and the outside has barely changed in appearance since that time, which you can see from old pictures, and it is nice to see that the refurbishment (in 2014) was well-judged and didn’t rip out the soul of the place, the only nods to modernity being the trendy bar staff and a Twitter page (there is even a £1,000 bar tab prize for whoever posts the best bar picture).

I will never again let a hotel guise put me off in the search for a good pub.

The Tulse Hill Tavern 150 Norwood Road, Norwood, SE24 9AY