The Chandos — Restaurant in London

So! We are lucky in Forest Hill / Brockley / HOP that we have access to a good number of competing, top quality, boozers. And I'm happy to report that over the past few months The Chandos has become my favourite.

Its a paradox that a big space can maintain a sense of intimacy, yet it manages it.

It's a paradox that a pub that can be very popular screening sports events doesn't just serve "post mix" lagers but has a well tended cellar that can serve umpteen excellent guest and craft beers.

I scored the pub as a whole 5 stars, it's food (slightly meanly) only 4 as the pizzas are amazing and the sides, be that fries, nachos, or side salad use high quality ingredients, I just long for a menu that is slightly extended to include a couple of alternatives, I mean a burger, but keep doing your thing, it's great.

The atmosphere is a solid 5, it's busy, lively, happy, chipper pub, well run (more to come) a great community boozer - which is a rare thing nowadays, and down to its management.

And that leads to service, by which, of course, we mean it's staff. Now I'm one of those who prefers to come to a pub on my own, not exclusively, but generally, yet the staff make me feel like part of the family, I never feel like I am on my own... I have my favourite spots in the pub, my regular order and the staff, mainly young, yet dedicated, keen, kind and welcoming are what has made me look to The Chandos as my regular.

And the professionalism of the staff comes from the top - it's management. And over the past few months where this has established itself as my favourite local, has been with the incredibly hard working and irreplaceable Martha at the helm. Sorry for calling you by name, I know it will make you blush - but we really appreciate what you have done with this fabulous sprawling pub, we notice the touches you have introduced, we see your staff so well supported and it makes it a diamond of a boozer to call my local.

And of course, I would totally...

🚇 Honor Oak Park 🍺 £6.80 Budvar

The Chandos is located in Forest Hill, Southeast London. The nearest station is Honor Oak Park, it’s a five minute walk to get here.

This pub was built 1896 and is a former Charrington’s house. This pub has seen many changes over the years, but some of the original Charrington's features like the green-banded windows still remain.

This is a large two bar pub which has an “L “ shaped bar on the left and a smaller cosier bar to the right. The decor here is traditional with some bold contemporary colours. The larger “L” shaped bar has plenty of seating, an open kitchen and leads to a partially covered courtyard beer garden. The right hand bar has a beautiful glazed full height screen, a proper pub carpet and a closer view of the stunning bar back which has gold floral detailing. If you head upstairs, there is a small room that leads to a decked roof terrace. There are also a few picnic benches at the front.

The beer selection is craft beer focused with a few mainstream and cask options. I opted for a Budvar, my pint was excellent, price point was a bit punchy. The food menu is pizza, most pizzas cost around £12 and are very popular with the locals.

I arrived just after 1pm on an overcast Saturday lunchtime in May. The pub was packed with a local crowd of all ages, most of whom were watching the Arsenal v Bournemouth match on the screens dotted around the pub. The atmosphere was superb, there was a lovely buzz about the place. The service is first class, the team here were friendly, welcoming and were doing a sterling job making sure everyone was served.

I was massively impressed by the @chandosse23 , what a cracking boozer. There is lots of pub heritage, a welcoming local pub feel, a diverse beer selection, popular pizzas and all round good pub vibes. I would definitely recommend a visit here.

ℹ️ Info correct on...

I am writing to express my deep disappointment and dissatisfaction with the recent experience I had at Chandos Pub. Unfortunately, my visit was marred by the extremely unprofessional behavior and rudeness exhibited by a staff member with pink hair, whose conduct was not only unacceptable but deeply upsetting.

Throughout my time at the pub, this particular staff member appeared disinterested, was frequently on break, and displayed a deplorable attitude towards patrons. It was evident that their lack of professionalism and empathy was not suitable for a customer-facing role. As someone who has previously worked in the hospitality industry, I understand the strains and pressures of such environments, but the behavior of this bartender was beyond reproach.

Their demeanor and interactions with customers were abrasive, leaving many patrons feeling disrespected and, in some cases, even upset to the point of tears. This is an unacceptable standard of service and reflects poorly on the establishment as a whole.

It is imperative for Chandos Pub to address such behavior immediately. Customer service is a crucial aspect of any hospitality business, and the conduct of this particular staff member fell far below acceptable standards. It is disheartening that a place that should be known for its welcoming atmosphere and pleasant service has staff members who create such a negative experience for customers.

I strongly urge the management of Chandos Pub to take swift and appropriate action regarding this matter. Training, reevaluation, or disciplinary measures should be considered to ensure that the quality of service is maintained and customers are treated with the respect and courtesy they deserve.

I hope that my feedback will prompt positive changes within your establishment and prevent future patrons from experiencing similar...