The Shirker's Rest — Restaurant in London

🚇 New Cross 🍺 £5.80 Orbit Lager

The Shirker's Rest is located opposite Goldsmiths University in New Cross, Southeast London. There are two stations close by, New Cross and New Cross Gate.

This pub opened in June 2022 on the site of a cafe called Birdie Num Nums. This Micropub is the brainchild of a group of mates who decided they wanted their own pub.

The pub is set out over two floors with the main bar area situated on the ground floor. The servery is located at the back and is clad in beach washed boards. The decor consists of green painted walls, an eclectic mix of photos and prints, a variety of conventional seating and a big brass clock. If you head upstairs, there is another seating area with yellow walls and comfy green chairs. At the front of the pub are a couple of benches nicknamed the ‘A20 Lounge’.

The beer selection is excellent and offers an impressive selection of local and independently produced Uk beers. There is a choice of lagers, traditional-style bitters, pale ales, IPAs, sours and wheat beers. I decided on a @orbitbeers Nico Kőln Lager, my pint hit the spot, price point was below average. There is no food served here, but there is an amazing assortment of crisps to choose from.

I arrived just before 2pm on a bright but chilly Saturday afternoon in January. There were two other punters in attendance, one from a previous pub I was in and another catching up on world events reading the paper. The atmosphere was laidback and chilled with a superb 80’s soundtrack playing in the background. The service was first class, I was served by a warm and welcoming member of the team who was friendly and courteous.

The pub host Live Music by local singer/songwriters, Open Mic nights and Tap Takeovers from local breweries. If you have @city_stack beer mats you can get a discount.

What a lovely little boozer the @shirkersrest is. There’s a fantastic selection of beers, a cosy intimate setting plus welcoming hospitality. We all like a bit of shirking now and again, this little gem is as good a place as any to do it in.

📅 25th January 2025

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Lots of us have idly dreamed of owning our own pub. The more energetic amongst us might even dream of running our own pub. (my own fantasy is to win the lottery and then move into a flat above someone else's pub.) The Shirker's Rest is where the dream came true for Vince and Andy of the Deserter podcast, who some might say are the biggest dreamers in South London pub scene. As a result, The Shirker's Rest has dreamlike qualities of its own. Small, cosy and tucked out of the way in New Cross, it has wonderful staff, relaxing ambience and an ever spinning cycle of guest beers. It's also worth mentioning their bar snacks, crisps selection is no mere afterthought. I even hear rumours that they have a crisp sommelier. In short, if you want to know what it's like to live the dream visit the Shirker's Rest. Chances are you might be able to quiz Andy or Vince directly. And maybe, you'll discover which one of them is the biggest shirker of us all. Even in their absence you'll enjoy excellent pints and well...

I always enjoy a visit to the Shirk. Credit where credit is due - this place is unique to London and has done a sterling job at bringing in a good community including those who travel from further afield. Anyone thinking about opening a pub/micropub should look no further and check out the success story of this place. There's always a highly unique selection of beer here, including great cask ale, which as of 2024 seems to be at the crux of winning the hearts of beer drinkers and creating a good community pub spirit with interesting people - in that old skool fashion. Nice place to come with a mate for a natter, also popular with a few newspaper readers. All...