The Mitre Hotel
291 Greenwich High Road
SE10 8NA
Keeping it real
If you ever have a friend visiting from another country and they ask you to show them a real British pub, take them to The Mitre.
The Mitre ticks almost every box on the ‘proper pub’ checklist. The large main area is adequately shabby with slightly sticky, worn décor, chesterfield sofas that have seen better days and a faint smell of stale beer. You get the feeling that many a good night has been had here by football fans and students alike and there’s been no urgency to get the industrial cleaners in afterwards. It’s certainly not flashy or impressive, but it all gives the place a sense of relaxed authenticity that is rather charming.
The drink selection is everything you would expect with a range of mainstream lagers, good soft drinks and a strong wine list to complement its emphasis on food. Expect the usual pub fare including burgers, fish and chips and chocolate fudge cake with a few vegetarian dishes as well.
Although The Mitre has its contingent of locals who prop up the bar stools, it is by no means unwelcoming to newcomers and is well situated for passing tourist trade and students. There’s a big beer garden and occasional live music, and you could even stay the night in one of the 15 bedrooms if the temptation to make a night of it in the tantalisingly named ‘Irish Bar’ is too great to resist!
‘Real’ pubs like this are increasingly rare these days, as most London watering holes seem to feel the need to spruce up, bulk buy the Tiffany lamps, prefix their pub-ness with the term ‘gastro’ and stick 50p on all the drinks prices. Not so the Mitre. It knows its place and doesn’t try too hard to change it. Good on ‘em I say.
What they say: “…run like a family business, but with all the professional care and attention you expect” The Mitre Hotel website
What you say: “Great location and a good place to come to watch the footie on a Sunday” Fellow Customer.