Address: 246 Brixton Road, SW9 6AQ

Telephone: 0207 737  0060

Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs: 4.30 – 12, Fri: 4.30 – 1, Sat: 12 – 1, Sun: 12 – 11

After having meant to visit this pub since it reopened many months ago we headed down on Thursday evening to finally check the place out. The reason it probably took a bit longer for us to pay a visit is mainly because of its location. About a 10 minute walk from Brixton station, if you are hungry and don’t fancy a walk you probably won’t make it down there as there are plenty of options much closer to (our) home. Located opposite the infamous ‘after party’ location for Brixton Academy gigs, Jamm, this isn’t a part of town that has experienced the surge in restaurants and bars that central Brixton has. That’s why it is quite nice to get out of the main hub. Located on the corner of Brixton road, just by the entrance to Slade Gardens, the Crown and Anchors front is a welcome and shiny addition to the run down and very empty shops that line that end of Brixton Road. The pub is long and thin with high ceilings with plenty of tables, although I don’t see where a big group could really sit together without some manoeuvring.

As soon as we entered it felt comfortable and welcoming. The staff greeted us with big smiles and seemed happy to help with any queries we had. And queries you will have, unless you are an ale connoisseur that is. Lining the bar are dozens of different and varying types of ale. Not a big ale drinker myself, my companion was on top of the world, eager to see what new and delicious treats he could try. Luckily for him they do a taster, in which you can buy 3 small glasses of ale for the same price as a pint, meaning you really can taste and try. I went for the Camden Town lager, a personal favourite. The guy behind the bar let me try before I bought it; perfect for those we aren’t great at making decisions! My companion drank a pint of ale that was brewed with elderflower. He can’t remember the name of it…but thought it was delicious.

Now to the food. There are some very fancy looking starters including Scotch egg with honey mustard mayo and a German sausage platter. They all looked rather lovely but a packet of pork scratching to share for the two us sufficed. For main it is the usual fancy pub food you find in these new ale pubs (not a criticism!); steak and chips, pea, broadband and goats cheese risotto and moules mariniere. The specials that week included BBQ and stout baby back ribs, which my companion went for. I went for the Brixton burger, mainly because I was interested in what made it ‘Brixton’. Handily with next to each dish on the menu they recommend a different ale – much like a wine waiter at a fancy restaurant.

The food came in good time and the staff were extremely helpful making sure we had all our drinks and were comfortable and enjoying ourselves. The burger I must admit wasn’t very Brixton. The cheese was melted onto the meat perfectly and there was a lovely large gherkin to accompany it and with fat chips as a side… so I’m not too sure what made it Brixton but maybe it just because it was being served there. Everything was great apart from the bun which was a little too large and dry meaning that it ruined it slightly. On the other hand the ribs looked lovely but my companion wasn’t a great fan of how the strong the sauce was.

The meal came to about £16 each including a couple of drinks. I would love to come back here and try more of the lagers/ales and perhaps a couple of the interesting looking starters…just have to be in the mood for a 15 minute walk.