Every week, Deptford has a beloved (if chaotic) market in which the pavements are strewn with all manner of used goods, clothes, tat, records and - oddly - more wellies than you’ve ever seen, stacked like a rubber mountain.
The diviest of dive bars
At first glance, Big John’s Biltong Bar, on the High Street, looks like the place where the leftovers are swept. The diviest of dive bars, it appears to have collapsed into place or, perhaps, been excavated. The name of the bar is drawn onto the glass with a paint pen, the letters half-heartedly coloured in red.
But heart is what this place has in spades, whether it’s being among customers loudly singing along to a song you don’t recognise, the feeling of immediately being welcome or chatting to New Zealand native Big John himself, who might tell you about playing an Orc in the Lord Of The Rings movies if you’re lucky.
The Kiwi’s concept for the bar - beer, cured meat, tat - can’t really be knocked, even if it is culturally confusing. As it was described to me - New Zealand man, Australian meat, South African biltong. Simple? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely. The meat, served simply on paper trays at the bar, is the work of a real artisan.
Big John’s Biltong Bar is arguably the place that kickstarted the arty, grungy, independent revolution happening in Deptford right now. And in the long term, you can bet on it being the most resistant to change. Let’s hope so.
Order this
All of the meats, cured and cooked. Speak to the gaffer about what’s available on the day. Slosh it down with Staropramen, the house beer.
Time Out tip
Hop a few doors down to check out Home Deptford, a recently opened independent record shop, cafe bar and event space.