The Park Tavern – a traditional pub, in a carefully deliberate way

As I stumbled off the bus, 20 minutes late, I darted into an unusually narrow-looking pub to catch the remainder of FA Cup semi-final.

It was bound to be a good atmosphere with two London teams contesting it, although this was more Charlton and Millwall territory.

But there was no TV on in The Park Tavern.

Who scored? Who cares?

 

For at the bar was a tap takeover from Titanic brewery, with six splendid beers brought in for the Easter Bank holiday.

I learned it was day two of the takeover, but the bar was uninhabited.

Perhaps people were in a pub with a screen, or, as the sun smiled down on Eltham, in the deceptively attractive beer garden to the rear.

I decided to stay put.

Noises from the other end of the room, which went further back than I thought, revealed someone had scored in the big game, but by now I was distracted by a lovely ruby bitter, characteristically served in top condition and, in the days of £8 pints in London, at still reasonable prices.

I particularly liked the availability of beers lesser-spotted outside the brewery’s hinterland.

The Park Tavern is planning further brewery showcases too, so worth checking out.

Recently becoming a freehouse, it’s a traditional pub, in a carefully deliberate way.

The outside retains an old Truman’s signage, well-maintained. No peeling walls here, but chandeliers, armchairs and old pictures that create a cosy atmosphere.

There’s food too, of the wholesome, homely variety.

The din of football on the TV would kill the laid-back, pubbish atmosphere, and I think they are right to keep it out.

Instead, the centerpiece is the bar, patrolled by a landlady in the traditional, old-fashioned way.

The Park Tavern is the kind of place one vows to return to, but fully expecting a familiar welcome.

The Park Tavern – 45 Passey Place, Eltham, SE9 5DA