The Signal Pub — Restaurant in London

🚇 Forest Hill 🍺 £5.65 Amstel

A Fantastic Locals Station Pub.

The Signal is located in the heart of Forest Hill, South East London. The nearest station is Forest Hill Overground which is just across the road.

This pub was built mid 19th century and started life as The Railway Signal Hotel. For a period of time the pub was known as The Hob. The Hob had a great reputation as a venue for stand-up comedy in South London.

This is a large one bar pub that is split level, with the servery located on the upper level. The decor is traditional with contemporary touches here and there. Above the servery are some huge orange pendants, by the stairs is a model steam engine, my favourite feature is the live train times display above the back bar. The seating is predominantly low level tables and chairs with poser tables and stools near the servery. Upstairs is a function room, there is also a beer garden for the warmer months.

The beer selection was good and included a couple of cask and craft plus No and Low options too. I decided on an Amstel, my pint was excellent, price point was pleasingly below six quid. The food menu consisted of traditional pub fayre, plus Roasts on a Sunday, Fish & Chips costs £14.99.

The atmosphere here was superb, there were buzzy high street pub vibes with a local neighbourhood feel. The punters were from all walks of life, there were young couples enjoying an afternoon catch up and solo imbibers watching the scores coming in. The service was outstanding, the chap who served us was welcoming, quick witted and spent time talking to us about the pub whilst working his arse off making sure his customers were happy.

The Signal has plenty on to keep you entertained. Throughout the week is Live Music, a Pub Quiz, Drinks Deals plus Live Premier League action. Check their socials for info.

The @signalpub is a fantastic station pub that is popular with a broad mix of Forest Hill’s locals. The ambiance and welcome from the team make this is such an easy pub to settle into. We absolutely loved visiting here, this is a must visit London Pub.

ℹ️ Info correct on...

Staff were really nice but seemed a little chaotic. I booked a table for my birthday but when we turned up it had no space for all of us and no space for buggy or highchair, even though had specified that in the phone booking we would need that as I was bringing my baby and my nephew. So then had to request to change tables when my family were already seated when I arrived. Food was delivered to our table with no questions asked regarding anything we would like to go with the meal. Had to then get the attention of another staff member to ask for drinks and condiments and plate for my 2 year old nephew who was left waiting. Was told they didn’t serve apple sauce to go with a pork roast by one member of staff, thought this was odd, so asked another and she went and got some straight away. The chicken roasts were not cooked through, despite the waitress telling us they definitely were, the flesh around the bone was red and clearly raw. Not particularly appetising to look at and also worrying as my pregnant sister-in-law and 2 year old nephew were both eating it. They ended up leaving most of the chicken. We were given one of the roasts free as my sister-in-law didn’t want to make too much of a fuss, but as I was the one who booked the table and my family were the ones paying because it was my birthday, I left feeling really bad about having booked to eat lunch there. Not an ideal experience really. Have been to this pub loads in the evenings and eaten here before and it’s been really nice but probably won’t eat here...

I assume they have changed ownership recently, but compared to before it is really bad. The two staff were really dismissive and rude - I asked for the table to be cleaned as it was sticky and they gave me the cleaning stuff without any offer to help and gave me a relatively dirty look for asking; they bought one set of cutlery over despite there clearly being four of us and gave a very reluctant agreement to bring more; and despite all ordering food together the first meal arrived 20 minutes after ordering and the final 50 minutes after, with no apology from the original two members of staff. At around 7/7:30pm today, they clearly finished their shift and left, which was the best thing that could happen. The new members of staff were much, much better - kind and offered a free drink for the delays in the food (only 3 to 4 tables were occupied this whole time). The latter shift members of staff made it much better but overall, it was really poor. I also thought the constant playing of sports rather than ambient music or a band like other local pubs was horrid for the atmosphere. The Signal used to be packed on a Friday night but was empty, and I think this is why: not great service, bad atmosphere, and poor etiquette with food services. Thanks to the member of staff who finally apologised for the delays and gave us a free drink. However, I don’t know that we’d come back while it is as it...