The Brockley Barge

Featured reviews

• G

  Google user

  ·2 months ago

  “I’m visiting from the US, and unfortunately my experience with Michel, the server, was extremely disappointing. His attitude was rude, dismissive, and completely unnecessary. I understand that everyone can have a bad day, but there is still a basic level of courtesy and professionalism that customers should be able to expect. I was genuinely taken aback by the way I was spoken to and treated. As someone visiting the UK, it was especially disappointing to have this experience at a place that should be welcoming to visitors. I rarely leave negative reviews, but the attitude I received from Michel was unacceptable and left a very poor impression. I hope management addresses this because customers should not be made to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome.”

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• G

  Google user

  ·2 months ago

  “I am appalled and infuriated by the atrocious service I received. I waited an hour and a half for two drinks, which were ordered simultaneously. While the venue was admittedly busy, my friends endured the same unacceptable experience the previous week—only then was the issue resolved by a competent Team Leader. I promptly notified a waiter of the delay but was forced to continue waiting. When I approached the bar, I waited in line, only to be dismissively told to "just wait." Ultimately, I requested a refund for both my order and my friends', but was summarily denied. The rationale given was that we had switched tables, despite having informed a staff member of this and clarifying that we were seated at the adjacent table. Despite our explanation—and the presence of another patron at the table in question—the staff insisted it was our fault and refused a refund. To make matters worse, when our drinks finally arrived, they were left sitting out, devoid of ice and completely flat. The server, who was blatantly rude throughout, told us that now that we had our drinks, we could "leave her alone." While we waited, she stormed off and, within earshot, recounted the incident to another employee in a sarcastic and mocking tone. This level of disrespect and incompetence is entirely unacceptable and reflects horribly on your establishment. I have been a patron for years, and while it is a Wetherspoons, I’ve never had such an atrocious engagement as this evening.”

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• G

  Google user

  ·3 months ago

  “It's a little bit rough and ready decor wise in here but the staff are very nice. Plenty of tables, good air con and all the usual good prices.”

• G

  Google user

  ·5 months ago

  “Always a gorgeous time sitting outside, especially when it gets towards the summer. Massive thank you to Caesar and Jayden, every time we go they're super attentive and chatty. For someone also in the hospitality industry, it's always so lovely to see people who genuinely care about customers and creating good experiences. Stay divalicious :p”

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• G

  Google user

  ·6 months ago

  “Had a fantastic day, the pints were very nice, Punkdog for me and Darkfruit cider for my Uni dwelling daughter. We ordered wings, chips and nachos with naga chilli and Chipotle mayo dip. Service was excellent. Between ordering and eating I helped deliver a baby outside. Huge thanks to Sophia, Mekayla, Anne, Mary, and Spoon's top bloke Darren, who was amazingly helpful. Special mention above all must go to Nadia (new mum) and Shai who did the hard work delivering his niece. Everyone was brilliant, emergency services were there damn quickly... and the food was very nice. 10/10 will be back again.”

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• G

  Google user

  ·6 months ago

  “I occasionally visit the local Brockley establishment and always enjoy the lively energy. It's great to see people from the local community out having a drink. A welcoming atmosphere that feels more varied and diverse than your modern day tap room.”

• G

  Google user

  ·1 year ago

  “What a pleasant find on a Thursday evening stroll! Hardly a hidden gem, the Barge sits proudly at the junction of the B218 and Foxberry street. The bold exterior and quaint sign beckoned us in. ‘Rest weary traveller, you’re home!’ Upon entering we were welcomed by a familiar voice. Christian Bale’s ‘Bruce Wayne,’ was engaged, mid tussle with Liam Neeson’s ‘Ra’s al ghul,’ in the climactic scene of Christopher Nolan’s 2005 superhero romp ‘Batman Begins.’ The volume was at a tasteful level, fitting the tame and amiable atmosphere of the Thursday night punters. Unlike Mr. Wayne’s on screen antics, I faced no conflict at all, getting my hands on a pint of Stella and a Guinness at the bar (mercifully!) the staff were attentive and friendly and service was quick. The Garden furthered the convivial atmosphere of the main room, supported by warm intimate lighting and the odd natural feature (hanging basket.) Overall I enjoyed my visit to the Brockley Barge. I’m not a local, I’m not sure I’ll visit again. That’s no reflection of my willingness to return, just and honest assessment of circumstance. Cruel as it may seem. To conclude I’d like to emphasise that the charm of the Brockley Barge comes more from it’s staff and clientele than the fixtures and furnishings deigned upon by one of mr J.D Wetherspoon’s back office ‘corporate ambience optimisers.’ Forgive me for reaching for a rather apt line from Mr. Wayne himself. ‘It's not who I am underneath (in reference to the interior of the pub)... but what I *do* (the actions of the staff)... that defines me.’”

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• G

  Google user

  ·1 year ago

  “🚇 Brockley 🍺 £2.94 Carlsberg The Brockley Barge is located in Brockley, in the borough of Lewisham, in southeast London. The nearest station is Brockley which is close by. Built in 1868 as the Breakspears Arms, the pub closed in 1994 after gaining a reputation for disorder. It was also controversially known for operating separate ‘black’ and ‘white’ bars. Wetherspoons acquired the pub and reopened it in October 2000 under its current name, which recalls the barges that once operated on the Croydon Canal. Opened in 1809, the canal was replaced by a railway in 1836, following much of the same route. This large, one-bar pub is instantly recognisable as a Spoons. The servery runs along the right side, with an open-plan front area filled with poser tables. A row of pillars and partial walls in the centre marks the location of the original servery. Decor includes pale green walls, prints of local historic figures, plenty of standard seating, and the signature jazzy carpet. A small beer garden sits at the rear, there are a few benches at the front as well. The beer lineup was a who’s who of familiar keg favourites, and an impressive range of cask ales that have earned the pub a spot in the Good Beer Guide for 10 consecutive years. I opted for a Carlsberg—my pint was excellent, and the price was under three quid! The food menu is extensive, offering a wide selection of comfort food options. Fish and chips with a pint costs £11.91. I arrived around 2:30 p.m. on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon in April. The pub was busy throughout, with a mix of local punters of all ages. The liveliest spot was at the front of the pub, where most people were watching the horse racing on the big screen above the door. The service was efficient, and the lady collecting glasses was friendly and chatty. First of all, it was nice to visit a Spoons that was originally a pub—I haven’t done that in a while. Secondly, hats off to Wetherspoons for transforming this place from a nuthouse into a true community local; that takes some serious hard graft. Overall, I enjoyed my time here, a proper Wetherspoons experience. 📅 12th April 2025 More London pub info on socials @londonpubmap 🍻”

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• G

  Google user

  ·1 year ago

  “Brockley Barge is a decent Wetherspoons. I came here around 11:30 on a Saturday prior to moving to a different pub to watch the football. We ordered a pint of Guinness, a glass of wine, a small breakfast and an apple crumble. Service was ok - the pub was quite quiet and the drinks came out quickly. However the Apple crumble and ice cream was delayed in its service, meaning the ice cream had melted and the crumble was on the cooler side once received. The interior was as you would expect of a wetherspoons in zone 2 on a Saturday lunchtime. There was a good number of regulars populating the inside if the pub, and a steady stream of irregulars taking and leaving the outdoor tables in the 50 minutes we spent there. Decent pub, its a spoons what more is there to say.”

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• G

  Google user

  ·2 years ago

  “Not a bad spoons, but loses points on the musty smelly carpet which desperately needs a wash. As you walk in there’s a smell and feel of old, grimy, musty beer filled carpet and old alcoholics sit in there all day. It’s a little depressing. Sitting outside in the sun can be nice however and has a holiday feel to it. The breakfast is decent, classic spoons so not the best quality but cheap. They forgot some of my order so I had to ask for it and they got it wrong.”

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