Bars & Pubs

By Ben McFarland

In tumbleweed town, next to the David Beckham Football Academy in the desolate, anodyne wasteland that surrounds the dome formerly known as Millennium is the Pilot Inn. Not too far from Greenwich and the remains of the Cutty Sark, it dates back to the beginning of the nineteenth century and is named in honour of William Pitt, who as prime minister steered the country through the ‘European storm’ blown up by the French Revolution.

A refreshingly old-fashioned, Grade II-listed friendly Fuller’s boozer, it thankfully sidestepped the bulldozers when the big tented circus arrived. Spread over three levels, with a massive beer garden and revamped rooms (the Flamsteed Suite bedroom comes complete with its own telescope), it’s a far, far better bet for tipples and tucker than the nosebleed-priced nonsense being dished out at O2, where you won’t get Penny, the terrific landlady full of banter and cheeky, cheerful charm (her friendly Rottweiler is poorly and the vet’s coining it in, apparently).

As well as London Pride, there’s nearly the whole Fuller’s range including Honey Dew, ESB and the sensational and newly improved session beer that is Chiswick Bitter. To sandbag the beer there's substantial doorstep sandwiches, lamb kofte on the specials board and hearty pub grub.

If that weren't enough, there's a weekly quiz, sport to gawp at and, of course, Penny.

Time Out Issue 1982: August 14-20 2008