The Phoenix is quite a nice little pub that our crowd used to love, however there seems to have been some changes recently and they haven't been for the better. There used to be a great vibe on Fridays with some excellent music which gave a fantastic start to the weekend. Does anyone know where the DJ went? She's worth seeking out as she played such a great selection. Message to the management "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Bring back the cool DJ! This pub has lost its vibe!
I used to love Phoenix on Friday night.. we used to get together with friends after work and had a great time.. but what have you done with the cool DJ guys?? They are only few places that you feel like home.. and is a shame i will now have to start looking for a different one.. Any updates please??

I have to agree with the last review, why is the good music gone?!?!That made such a difference on Friday!This place is going downhill from here...

Used to be a fab place to meet after work, good vibe & atmosphere and great music on fridays to end the week properly :-)
It somehow changed recently, no more dj, music has therefore lost its edge. It is just a basic pub like so many in that area. There isn't anything special about it now.
Used to pass a few pubs just to get to that one because of the music and atmosphere. I simply don't bother anymore...
Shame really

On the plus side: decor is generally nice and there is a good range of beers and good food (although not quite as good as similarly priced options in Camberwell like the Bear and the Crooked Well).

On the downside:
- bring a jumper if you go on a cold day.
- reserving the upstairs area seems a bit hit and miss. I tried several times with their online reservation form and no one got back to me. A friend managed to make a reservation over the phone but on the day we were told that we only had it for the half the amount of time we had reserved it for.
- The upstairs area was rather dark - ok in the evening but during the day it would be nice to see who you are talking to. The barman told us there were some bulbs that needed replacing, and left it at that.
- The ladies toilets had no loo roll or soap and none of the staff seemed inclined to do anything about it.
- They charged my bar tab to my card automatically and said they weren't able to give me a breakdown of what they had charged me for as they had turned off the till. This was after they had called last orders but only shortly after as there were still plenty of people milling around.

Basically, I'll be going somewhere else for parties in future.

The pub looks lovely and the staff are very friendly but whatever you do, don't eat the food there. I've never had a worse Sunday lunch anywhere. Inedible

Fantastic little pub serving good quality beer and decent real pub food. Will be going back.

Extremely rude bartender. Verbally abused customer for making a joke. The bartender is the red haired, White one. Was totally shocked never going back.

After the hagiography that was the supposed "review", perhaps we should look at the holes in the details.

Some of the listed beers are not available, and the quality of food is variable. Draught lagers are sloppily served and the Belgian beers are off. Permanently.

Staffing is erratic, as it's an M & B pub, although they're less likely to go out of business than a proper pubco pub. [see enterprise inns, punch taverns, fairpint campaign etc]. They still have a problem with spending on essentials. Has anyone ever wondered about their non-stocking of Kimberley Clarke toilet papers and buying rolls of cheap toilet paper on demand from the local offie? Or the ever shrinking wine list and the overt promotion of two [cheaply bought] bottles?

You can wait 15 minutes to be served, as the staff can't do the next person thing. On Thursday and Friday evenings the crowds are 6 deep outside and at the bar. This is unsurprising for everyone except the bar staff and management, who find it a constant surprise!

Which is why locals avoid the place. Plus they employ people with no real interest in the area in order that they take the minimum wage and go home. Closing at 23:00 is so last century - why not open the doors at 13:00 and serve later - those of us who work during the day would like that. And you can still make the last train.

OK pub, though - just lacking in thought, character and a little cleaning.